2013 Discovery Series Botrytis Affected Viognier, Susanne’s Wine Pick.
Bruce Nicholson
Hello & Farewell… was a delectable and emotional luncheon held at the TOCA Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton in Toronto at which we welcomed and enjoyed Inniskillin winemaker Bruce Nicholson’s new wines, and bid farewell to a very special lady who is affectionately known as “Miss Inniskillin 1975”. With over 30 years with Inniskillin, the one and only Debi Pratt. So loved and well respected throughout the entire wine industry was entering into her retirement. So sad are we to see her go as are many. Debi leaves a legacy of her own. A brilliant, charismatic ambassador and educator for not only Inniskillin but the Ontario wine industry as a whole. As a testament and a tribute to Debi’s contribution she received the incredible honour of having a vineyard named after her “The Pratt” Vineyard. Congratulations Debi!
We enjoyed a delightful afternoon filled with nostalgia, amazing wines and food. Seated across from winemaker Bruce we learned about some of his “firsts”. Including a delish Sauvignon Blanc the 2013 Estate Series, super value we discover at price point $14.95! Stay tuned for further details as this will surely be a Wine Pick in the near future.
But for now, we enjoyed a tremendous lunch. It included a to die for Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan foam. Followed by main course options of Duck Breast or Ravioli Capresi. The afternoon closed with a stunning dessert Poached Pears with vanilla ice cream served with my Wine Pick the stunning and seductive
2013 Discovery Series Botrytis Affected Viognier!!!
His first ever! When all the wine media present were asked if they had ever tasted a Viognier affected by botrytis, not a one could say they had! This was a treat, an exercise in innovation that resulted in a stunning wine, loaded with honeysuckle, orange, apricot and peach luscious and rich, with a sweetness of honey, seductive and lasting long in the finish. “It’s a challenge” explained Bruce “ you have to allow the grape to hang long on the vine, let it dehydrate a little and wait till it gets a “ little wrinkly”, wrinkles are good in this case” he went on to tell us. Excited to see that the Viognier, sourced exclusively from the Brae Burn Estate Vineyard was affected by botrytis he knew he was potentially onto something great, and he was!
2013 Discovery Series Botrytis Affected Viognier