Stag’s Hollow in British Columbia has shown it can do wonders with Vidal. Much is grown in Ontario primarily for ice-wine. As a table wine it is about equally uninspiring as Muscat. Cloying without personality. Wine snobs might point to Vidal as a lowly French Hybrid grown in marginal wine climes. I am no such snob. If a Pennsylvanian Chambourcin can wow me as a French Hybrid why not Vidal if managed properly?
The grapes are picked just after the first frost as the tough grape skins soften enough to maximize flavour.
1,200 cases produced.
I liked the 2021 vintage so what about the 2022?
Aroma: No shortage of mango, apricot, peach with a cut of fresh ginger. It is almost as if it was a cousin of Viognier.
Palate: This Vidal is miles above Ontario Vidal table wine. No way it is cloying. Peach, Creamsicle, all with an acidity beautifully melding with the fruit. Moderately long finish.
Personality: I refuse to be labelled a common Vidal. The winemaker certainly gave me some pizzaz unlike so many of my boring cousins.
Food Match: Thai curry. The winery suggests as a classic match pork, chicken, duck, fruit salads and foie gras. An adventuresome match would be Cajun/Creole dishes, Thai/Chinese/Mexican/Vietnamese/Indian food.
Cellarbility: Will cruise into 2025 but my preference enjoy with a Christmas turkey in 2023/4.
Price: $20 CDN.
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100.
(Stag’s Hollow 2022 Tragically Vidal, BC VQA, Okanagan Falls, Stag’s Hollow Winery, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia. 750 mL, 12.5%).
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