There are some dicey Ontario red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Baco Noir to name some. You must really know your producers in the dicey game.
Gamay Noir and Cabernet Franc do well in Ontario. Malivoire and Fogolar do very well with Gamay. What about Niagara’s KEW Vineyards? Why not try a KEW Vineyards 2019 Barrel Aged Gamay Noir?
It’s a garnet coloured and transparent wine. On the nose a very lighthearted cherry with some milk chocolate, raspberry all of which enveloped in a slightly smoky frame. Very smooth on the palate. Is this a lightweight lovely? On the palate the lightweight cherry champions itself with a slight bit of a tart and sour cherry finish. This wine only goes to show Gamay Noir has a bright future in Niagara.
Roast lamb and duck would suit this well but this is one of those wines that can be delightfully sipped as well. Ready, willing, and able to be consumed now and I doubt ageing will improve it.
(KEW Barrel Aged Gamay Noir 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, KEW Vineyards Estate Winery, Beamsville, Ontario, $17.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 515270, 750 mL, 13%, Robert K. Stephen A Little Birdie Told Me So Rating 92/100)
Wine drinker profile: One who appreciates a lighter red wine tinged by red fruit and is happy to sip as is with some nibbles such as Morbier or St. Nectaire cheese or with simply roasted lamb or duck confit.