On the Road with the Grape Guy

On the Road with the Grape Guy is a on-going feature that follows me from event to event ... I post my thoughts, feelings and reviews of what happened and what I tasted ... basically it is here that I review the events I attend and the things that thrilled me.

Report from: 6 Barrels for 6 Chefs at Huff Estates, 8th Edition

19 Jul 2015

(July 10, 2015) ... I'll be honest with you, 6 for 6 is one of my favourite events of the year, and as you read on you'll see why ... I've attended seven of eight that have been held -  best part about missing that one was it rained cats and dogs that one time. Over the years (other than that one time) weather has ranged from gorgeous to excellent each year - there have been sweltering hot evenings and windy evenings, mosquito filled evenings and one's that went longer than expected, but thankfully it has always been clear of any foul weather.  This 8th edition was absolutely gorgeous: cool breeze, comfortable temps, it was I think the best weather ever for a 6 for 6 evening ... but enough about the weather - it's time to talk about 6 for 6 itself.

6 Barrels for 6 Chefs is Huff's annual charity event where they invite outstanding chef talent (6 in total) to cook "in their vineyard" and pair their dish with an unfinished wine (from barrel), hence 6 Barrels for 6 Chefs ... this year, for the first time, they really shook it up by inviting 6 wineries to participate - in the past it has been three wineries doing the heavy lifting: Huff Estates, Closson Chase and Norman Hardie - but this year they added Rosehall Run, Casa Dea and Lighthall to the mix ... still with a separation of 3 Chardonnays and 3 Pinot Noirs, it gave the evening an even great air of camaraderie and friendly competition about who was making better wine.

Click here to read more ...
including pictorial evidence of the wine, the food and the pairings

 

32 Wine Reviews / 14 Wineries

02 Jun 2015

Not all reviews make the newsletter, there's just so many good wines and not enough space ... so every three months or so I have decided to clear out the backlog ... here are the reviews that were written but till this time have never seen the light of day.  (click on the wine name to link to the full review)

By Chardsey’s Cairns 2013 Chardonnay
Calamus 2013 Cabernet-Merlot, Calvin’s
Calamus 2013 Gewurztraminer
Calamus 2013 Riesling, Robert’s
Calamus 2013 Royal Rosé
Casa Dea 2014 Melon de Bourgogne
Devil’s Wishbone 2013 Incarnate Red
Devil’s Wishbone 2013 Rosé

Featherstone 2013 Merlot, Red Tail
Featherstone 2014 Four Feathers
Henry of Pelham 2013 Chardonnay
Henry of Pelham 2013 Riesling, Icewine
Henry of Pelham 2013 Riesling / Pinot Gris – White House
Kacaba 2014 Riesling Reserve
Lailey 2012 Pinot Noir, Barrel Select
Lailey 2013 Malbec, unfiltered
Lailey 2013 Syrah

Niagara College 2010 Cabernet Franc
Niagara College 2011 Chardonnay, Dean’s List
Niagara College 2013 Pinot Noir, Balance
Pelee Island 2013 Baco Noir, Reserve
Pelee Island 2013 Traminer Muscat

Reif 2013 Cabernet Rosé
Rockway 2012 Cabernet Franc, Small Lot – Block 11-140
Rockway 2012 Merlot, Small Lot Block Blend
Rockway 2013 Gewurztraminer, Small Lot
Rockway 2013 Riesling, Block Blend
Rockway 2013 Riesling, Small Lot – Block 150-183
Rockway 2013 Syrah, Small Lot – Block 12-140

Southbrook 2012 Cabernet Franc, Whimsy!
Southbrook 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Triomphe
Staff 2012 Fancy Farm Girl, Frivolous White

 

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