First review - Malivoire Wines

When I started making beer and wine a few years ago I truly believed that the only time I would want to buy a bottle of something was when I was out to eat or if I had some how run out at home.  What I learned was that I don't buy nearly as much from the liquor stores as I used to but I appreciate what I do buy in a different way.  This is not to say that it is better or worse than what I can make it is just different than what I do and I can really taste the differences.

This being said I also can't drink my creations fast enough to be constantly fermenting something.  I thought that I might use the times when I had nothing relevant to say about my beverages to comment on some of the beers and wines that I have been sampling.

Living in the heart of the Niagara wine region my wife Jill and I have the luxury of being able to take an afternoon and drive through the region stopping by winery after winery tasting what each maker has to offer.  While we don't have the opportunity to do this as often as we used to we still try to get out every once in a while.

One of our absolute favourites has always been Malivoire Wines in Beamsville.

Jill and I discovered this winery the year it opened.  There were only a few wineries in Niagara at the time and we weren't really a fan of most of them.  Our first experience with Malivoire had us tasting with the actual wine maker as they hadn't hired anyone else to do it yet! 

A staple from their cellar is their Ladybug rose.  Malivoire describes it this way "Brilliant coral pink-hued, dry and fresh with intense, toothsome fruitiness. Fresh strawberry, rhubarb and rose petal on the nose. Lingers on the palate with mouth filling red cherry and tangy flavours."

Not being as elegant as them I would say that it is a lightly sweet and fruity wine that goes well with summer.  None oaked it is crisp and refreshing.  We always buy a bottle and it never lasts more than a day or two before we drink it.

I had never even heard of a Foch before I tried this wine.  It was an immediate favourite. The fruit came from 37 year old local vines and was hand prepared to preserve the tenderness of the grape.  (Now that's being serious about your product)  Once again I'll give you their take on it.

"Dark purple, redolent of smoke, plum and dark chocolate, and rugged in the mouth. Tasting reminds you of blueberry, plum, dark-roasted coffee and vanilla. Soft and medium-length on the finish" 

I will say that it is definitely a full bodied red but surprisingly fruity and smooth.  It has just the right amount of Oak to balance it out.  I purchased one bottle and have hidden it away for a special occasion.  Another year of aging was recommended by the winery so lets see if I can hold off that long!

If you act fast I would also recommend their Forgotten Row Chardonnay.  It's just as the name suggests.  They forgot a row when they were harvesting but since the fruit was still perfect the wine maker produced 50 cases of a very robust and just a little sweet vintage.  I would have loved to have a bottle but at $40 and having to much oak for Jill's taste the Foch was a better choice.

I highly recommend stopping at Malivoire if you get the opportunity.  The people are terrific and the wine is even better.

Malivoire Wine Company Ltd.
4260 King Street East
P.O. Box 475
Beamsville, Ontario
Canada L0R 1B0
905-563-9253

Visit their website here