Henry of Pelham Riesling 2003

Henry of Pelham Riesling Reserve 2003 Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula ($10)

I hate to admit it, but I am still opening up to white wines. With warmer weather approaching and my new appreciation for seafood and spicy Asian dishes, I find myself looking for whites more often to pair with dinner. Last year my trip to Ontario wine country clinched my love for Riesling and Gewurtz from Canada. I’ve long since drank the bottles from that trip, but I found a bottle or two at Astor Wines that remind me of the flavors and textures I enjoyed there.

This delicious dry Riesling from the Niagara Peninsula is a bargain at $10. Aromas of pear and green apple are quite evident. It’s supple mouth feel and slightly full body form a texture that satisfies my palate. Cleansing flavors that sport some tropical notes on the finish make this a very well balanced white that I will buy again. My grade: B+

Comments

[Daniel Speck]

Thanks for your very nice comments on our Riesling. We love this grape for its' cold hardiness, mid season ripening and stylistic versatility. We use it for dry, off dry, late harvest, botrytis affected and icew wines. Some even make tasty sparklers with it (but here we defer to Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blends for our traditional method wines).

The reserve you tried came from vineyards my brothers and I shovel planted as kids in 1984!

Cheers!

Daniel Speck
Co-owner
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
www.henryofpelham.com