Kim Crawford Wine tasting - Oct 2 2013

What a great day! It's a warm sunny October afternoon and Natalie Maclean invites me to Maxwell's Bistro on Elgin Street in Ottawa to sample some great wines from Kim Crawford vineyards including their new sparkling wine "Fizz Methode Traditionelle 2009" which will hopefully make it into LCBO stores in the near future. The chef at Maxwell's Bistro prepared a variety of delicious plates to be paired with the wines while we had a chance to talk to Kim Crawford winemaker Anthony Walkenhorst about their wines.

Here's the lineup of Kim Crawford wines we sampled

Kim Crawford Fizz Methode Traditionelle 2009

2013 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

2013 Kim Crawford Small Parcels Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc

2012 Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay

2012 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir

2007 Kim Crawford Small Parcels Rise & Shine Pinot Noir




The interesting part of this wine tasting was the contrast between the regional variety wines like Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir and the "Small Parcels" Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc and Rise & Shine Pinot Noir. They're all great wines but the Small Parcels Sauvignon Blanc with it's pronounced minerality and the increased new oak content in the Pinot Noir take the Small Parcels wines to the next level in aroma, taste and finish. The Unoaked Chardonnay was a real treat. I was expecting a crisp citrus type of chardonnay but the 80% malolactic fermentation produced a softer fruit filled and aromatic wine that would work very well with most chicken and seafood dishes. It paired nicely with the shrimp tempura we were served.
I really enjoyed talking to Anthony Walkenhorst in about grape harvesting, the different yeasts that are used in their signature Sauvignon Blanc wine and the selection of new and used oak in the Pinot Noirs. It was a relaxing few hours talking about New Zealand, grape harvests, winemaking and enjoying some great Kim Crawford wines.

Special thanks to Kim Crawford wines, Maxwell's Bistro (great food !) Natalie Maclean and Constellation Wines for hosting the event.

Cheers !!