essex wine report

Here is the inaugural Winery Announcement page. Any Winery in the area can e-mail me to have their news, releases, events etc posted. I will update as I get emails.

Mastronardi Estate

1.  June 9 - SAVE THE DATE  ---  *Toast To Dionysus* 

( 2nd Annual Event)   back by popular demand

  Pavlo -  Check website
 *www.mastronardiwines.com*  for details coming soon

2. Our First International Gold Medal -  

*Mastronardi's 2004 Vidal Icewine wins Gold at 

Sélection Mondiales des Vins Canada Competition  * 

For more information and a complete list of awards 

for the competition, 
please visit www.smvcanada.ca.

3. Mastronardi Estate Winery celebrates their first

 year Anniversary with the release of 05 Cab Franc,  

05 Zweigelt,  05 Chardonnay Reserve 

and a few more to be release over the next few weeks.

I am really into supporting local business and like to spread the word when I find one that is doing something good for the area, something different. Well I found 2 more on Saturday.

I was spending the weekend a Tso's place and all I could hear was that “ Going to the Country” song as I was driving out there. Well, we had to take Vlad to the puppy salon on Saturday so we decided to stop at two spots on the way back, which I am so glad we did.

The first was a spot I bet you, like me, have driven past a thousand times while on the bypass. It is that awful yellow building on the south side of hwy 3 around Essex. It's actually called Zack's Li'l Old Fish Shack”. Looks are deceiving as it is basically an outlet for a fisherman from Wheatly. You got it, fresh off the boat lake fish. We were in nirvana as we saw pickerel, perch, buffalo(can they swim??) and all that good stuff caught that day, We got some frozen perch as there wasn't any fresh but man it was good. I will be going back. As a certified “dazzling urbanite” I thought I would have to go to the docks and haggle. This is convenient and I like that.

The second is another keeper. I had driven past this place before but was usually dazzled by the fact that someone was growing grapes in Maidstone, on Talbot Street, so the impact of this place missed me. If you are a chocoholic like me, run do not walk to Saldary. It is a wonderful chocolatier. I am simply in aw of what they make. I didn't even know it existed, but now that I do I will be back. THIS IS REAL CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!! It's in the old post office, kinda close where rd 34 runs into the bypass and it is real cute and Ms. Chocolate is a very nice person who really seems to enjoy what she is doing. I am drinking some funky tea I bought there and man is it good too. They are not afraid to experiment and if you like obviously handmade truffles, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Get there before they raise their prices and enjoy.

Add these two to Jim Approved retail outlets. They are my local food, local artisan stuff that we all should support as they increase our quality of life.

I think that this is a good time to clarify how I do business. On Saturday, “The Windsor Star”, on page 2 ran a story where they alleged that a prominent local blogger was enriching himself through what he wrote. That, if true is not right as it wasn't disclosed and the writer acted as if he had the best interests of the city at heart.

I do not and have not had any remuneration or “favors” given to me for any of my reviews. I write this blog for several basic reasons. The wineries are making this area a much better place to live, produce good wine, promote tourism and my interaction with them has truly enriched my life. It is wonderful to be around these people. They are not getting their due and maybe I can help.

It has been implied that I will never write a bad review. Well there are two reasons why I have not written one: 1) I buy this wine, therefore I pretest it at the winery and only buy what I think will be good. Why should I splash out for a wine that I don't like???? and 2) this is someone's livelihood and I really do not want to hurt someone's business. I may have a bad day or more likely one of my “so called” pets will irritate me while I'm trying to review. Therefore I would redo the review later rather than publish something bad.

If the day comes when I am given a bottle to review, I will disclose that and I may relax my positiveness. I really haven't had anything bad down here yet so I'm not too worried. I am not in this to make money nor have any hidden agendas. I am adding an area for winery announcements and for this I am not compensated. If my blog ever became a “commercial enterprise” I will disclose that. Until then I do this for the joy of it.

Cheers!

Well it seems that it has been about a month since I went to Mastronardi and had such a good time talking with them. Well,Tso cleaned up for me last Saturday as we had friends over for dinner. The meal was an unmitigated disaster and whats worse is that I can't find a lot of the wine I bought on that outing. I would hazard to guess that it: 1) it was drank(likely) or 2) tso requisitioned some( i know she wouldn't do that) anyhow, I guess I either drank some or its here and I just can't find it.

Right now I am drinking an 2004 Cabernet Franc. On my first visit (about a week after they opened) I didn't see it but anyhow it was really nice to find.

Last night Tso and I grilled some lamb chops( it wasn't that cold) so I had the last two tonight with some asparagus risotto. The lamb worked out pretty good and warmed up quite well.

Music is from a wonderful Canadian singer, Holly Cole. I remember her from when I lived in Toronto and she always seemed to be playing the Senator. There was no way I could afford going there so I've never seen her yet I've enjoyed her talent for years. She can be described as a “torch singer” which seems to have come into vogue, yet she was doing this in the 80's. She's recorded a lot of music and just like most east coast musicians, she is diverse and adventurous in her music.

Now the wine. When I smelled it I was immediately hit with fruit. To me I smelled raspberry and a hint of vanilla. I see that the oak was used very sparingly as it just doesn't stand out but I am sure its there. Like all Cab Francs it isn't a big wine but has a lovely color that this grape gives.

The taste is where it shines. I was a little worried pairing it with lamb as I hit it pretty hard with Herbes de Province prior to grilling, but as the Muscedere Cabernet Franc Reserve did last night this wine held up quite nicely. Again, drink what you like with food. There are some basic no no's, like perch with a Barolo but within reason its much better to like what you are drinking.

This wine is very good. Simple I could quit here. This region produces so many good Cab Francs and this one is right there. I really like this as it has the fruitiness and complexity that I like. There is no hint of any harshness and the flavor just hangs in there. Not overpowering, but really nice. I am not sophisticated enough to break down all the tastes but they its all here. As with all Cab francs, this wine isn't heavy. It is not a huge wine but as with any good wine it is there. Even if you 'must have' Australian Shiraz ( oi matey its really sirah) try this as you need to explore more. Like all local wine I find it to be a bargain compared to imported wine. All in all, this wine is a testament to the wine makers ability.

It went so well with the lamb and the music. Holly Cole is mellow and the wine just works with this and the food. I would happily drink this wine with friends sans food or serve it with a meal. Head to Colosanti's and just cross the street you will find yourself in a great spot for wine.

Well you had to know that this was going to happen. Tso felt that all of my movie selections were guy films and I should do a few chick flicks. I tried to explain, but to no avail. As much as I tried she didn't accept that Braveheart was a love story and I forced her to watch Annie Hall so it didn't count either. Well being somewhat intelligent I gave in so here we go.

My first choice is a movie that I felt would be awful but I really enjoyed. Ok its 2002's Under the Tuscan Sun. The scenery was wonderful and the characters were well played. It could have got real stupid but they managed to keep it together. The 'gay and away' tour was pretty funny and made a great vehicle. When Sandra Oh (possibly Canada's finest actor/actress, even better than Bill Shatner) came to join her the movie got even better. The wine is an obvious one. A Tuscan and maybe a nice Chianti Classico. It would just seem right and then this movie is good enough to complement the wine.

The second movie is one she forced on me. I am not a Tom Hanks fan and only tolerated him in the Davinci Code. He is really pompous to me and I just couldn't take him in Private Ryan. He just seemed so wrong. Well it was You Have Mail. So it is/was and always will be a stinker. Predictable syrupy and basically awful. My choice again easy. Any overoaked over done Australian Chardonnay. Those beaver treats could be the only thing I could hate more than this film.

Back to the positive with Bridgett Jones' Diary. It made sense and was funny and intelligent. Rene Zellwiegger was really good in this movie and actually made a convincing Brit. This movie wasn't great but it was quite enjoyable. I actually could watch this film again. In as much as this movie is light fair without a lot of body, so what wine. It must be a white and chillable and slightly fun. A serious white wouldn't work nor would a Gewürztraminer as the spice would conflict. A good choice would be a Pinot Grigio. Our area is making some good ones now so head to Muscedere or Mastronardi. Yup both would be a good choice.

The fourth and last movie is really two. Tso really doesn't get this film but I think it is brilliant as have the pundents. Released in 2002 it was Keira Knightley's breakout film. Directed, produced and written by Gurinder Chadha, Bend it Like Beckham is a wonderful cross cultural film. The main character, Jess is a fan of David Beckham and wants to play soccer. She plays in the park and Keira's character meets her and has her join the team. Jess's parents want Jess to be a nice girl and so does Keira's mother who worries that her daughter isn't feminine and is going gay with Jess but both are smitten by their coach. Well Jess' s father shows a great deal of love and understanding and her friend Tony is a great friend to her. Well all turns out well. Gurinder followed this film with a big movie, Bride and Prejudice which was a Bollywood/Hollywood hybrid. Also very good. Its great that she can make a great movie without gratuitous sex or violence. These movies harken back to the old days and prove if people can act and have a script you don't need to make it into a porno. Both movies shoot me to run for a Gewürztraminer as the spiciness of the wine could stand up to the Indian flavors of these films. So try the one from Colchester Ridge of Pelee Island Reserve. Both would be a good choice.

So there you go I've kept the peace and gave you some more 'chick flick' choices. It's Valentine's Day soon guys so you'll have to take a hit for a movie so these may help the pain be less. Ooops did I write that, well I'm in trouble.

So much for global warming. It's so cold out that I just don't want to leave my house. Tailor made to watch a nice movie. And since I'm such a nice guy, I am going to give wine choices to go with some of my favorite movies. Don't worry, I am not including such classics as: Killer Clowns from Outer Space, or that Canadian content special, Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter. Yes this film exists and guess what?? I bet our tax dollars paid for it along with the sequel of sorts which featured zombies and masked wrestlers.

I am going to start with one of the best films of all time. It is funny, intelligent, insightful and won four Oscars. The film is 1977's “Annie Hall” by Woody Allen. It was so good that it had women dressing like Dianne Keaton and me dressing like Woody for years. I actually love this movie and choosing a wine is very easy. A natural choice is “Summer Sun” by Erie Shores. It is light happy, but has so many qualities and isn't the least bit pretentious, just like the movie. Add some nibbly bits and this will be a nice evening.

My second selection takes us to merry old England. This is an obscure movie starring Mickey Rourke. This is 1987's “A Prayer for the Dying”. Mickey plays an IRA hit man who is trying to go straight but does one more hit to get fake papers so he can get to the states. He is a real bad guy, but has a soft side and basically tries to makes amends for his past. In spite of this there's a lot of whacking going on. Well Guinness would be a real good choice but this is a wine blog. My choice would be Pelee Island 2000 Cabernet Franc. This red is very oaked and as such has a smoky sense to it. Well Mickey smoked like a chimney in the movie, so the wine goes with the movie. It also has a dark, brooding side which works too. Tso loved this wine and so do I. I really like this movie too. Sooooooo.

My third movie suggestion is Francis Ford Coppola's “Apocalypse Now: Redux”. This is a classic film noir based on Joseph Conrad's “In the Heart of Darkness”: a great book. Now Redux is a long film but I feel the added scenes are very interesting and add to the movie. The film is dark, exotic and full of southeast Asian intrigue. Well my choice is based on 2 things: first, Kurtz is a German name and second, it goes well with Asian food. My choice would be a Gewürztraminer, possibly from Colchester Ridge or Pelee Island. Now Coppola makes wine and I bet some would work, but basically with this film, food is important as its like 4 days long and pho may be a good choice. Well Gewürztraminer goes well with that so there's my choice.

Since I am on a war theme my fourth film is another classic. Braveheart is above all, a touching love story chronicalling 3 couples that all tended to end bad. First, Wallace's wife is whacked by an Englishman which causes him to act out. He was sad and emotional and probably needed Dr. Phil's help. He then meets the future Queen of England. She falls hard for him and does everything she can to help him out. He father's her child, kills a lot of Englishmen but cannot raise their child since he was drawn and quartered. So sad. The third love story involves Longshanks' son, who will be King and his advisor. Unfortunately, it ends sadly when Longshanks tosses the lad out a window. A truly touching scene. Well my choice for a wine would be for the poor Queen, as she was married to a queen, so I would suggest a Bordeaux style wine. Not only would it be similar to what she drank in France it would resemble the blood spilled by Longshanks' soldiers. To this I suggest a full bodied red such as Sanson's “Bird Dog” or Smith and Wilson's “Double Barrel”. Both would fit the bill quite well.

Moving back to North America, specifically, New Jersey, I suggest a classic starring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Lorraine Bracco. Yup, you got it!! “Goodfellas”. A film about male bonding and whacking people. Just the sort of happy movie that uplifts the soul. The choice of wine for this one is a “no brainer”. How could you drink anything other than a Sangiovese. A nice Chianti would do fine. I bet that's what mom served when Joe went there to get a knife and she fed them. A touching scene and he borrowed the knife to remove a deer hoof from his grille. Poor Bambi. I know we don't make this wine but this movie is great.

To end this six pack of movies, we will cross the Atlantic for a film that Ronald Regan was cast for the lead. Fortunately, someone got there senses together and replaced Ron with Humphrey Bogart. Add Sidney Greenstreet, Claude Raines, and Ingrid Bergman and low and behold, we go to Vichy North Africa and we have “Casablanca”. Filmed in 1942, Rick, an American meets his old flame Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) and does the right thing. Claude Rains is exceptional, as fairly crooked Captain Renault. Now Renault just makes this movie. Catch all the cynical, sarcastic, one liners and its just hilarious. Rick is great but Renault makes this movie superb. For this I would suggest Sprucewood's Pinot Noir. The wine is light enough to keep you alert but is complex enough to interest. Just like the movie. The plot isn't great but there is enough body from the performances and direction to make this a wonderful experience. Add the two together and there will be a real fun time.

Well you have my 5 star choices. I think I have done you all a service since its too cold to do anything but hunker down. Any of these combos would be a winner. Enjoy!!