While taking a bit of R&R in Port Stanley, Ontario I discover Quai du Vin Estate Winery in St. Thomas, Ontario quite near to the tiny town of Sparta. Yes there is signage to direct you there but don’t expect any concentration of wineries on Fruit Ridge Line. Instead you’ll see cornfields galore and damn tasty and sweet corn it is! So those grapes at Quai du Vin must be lonely. An attractive tasting room. But at present no food served. But big plans are afoot with new ownership and a new name coming. More about that later.
We try a Marechal Foch a grape few wineries in Ontario decide to grow and bottle. Perhaps Malivoire Winery in the Niagara does it best with their Old Vines Foch?
Aroma: There is loads of blackberry and blueberry with some raisin pie and smoke.
Palate: A soft wine with some distinctive purple grape Marechal Foch characteristics. Serbian cherry nectar, purple plum and a gentle acidity. Moderately long finish.
Personality: You may think Marechal Foch and the terms grapey or foxy may be used. In my case I am loaded with fruit and yes there is a bit of “grapeiness” to me but that’s Marechal Foch!
Food Match: Just try this with the Corny Goat pizza at Elgin Harvest wood burning oven pizzeria in St. Thomas. The Corny Goat is topped with goat cheese crema, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, roasted mushrooms, basil and mozzarella with bacon at $23. Actually all of their pizzas would suit this wine. It would also match if not bless a Thanksgiving turkey.
Cellarbility: Drink by the end of 2024.
Price: $16 CDN. Most likely you’ll have to order from the winery.
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100.
(Quai du Vin 2019 Marechal Foch, VQA Ontario, Quai du Vin Estate Winery, St. Thomas, Ontario, 750 mL, 12.2%).
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 