Wine: Riesling rocks
One year ago, I began taking a wine specialist certificate program at Toronto’s George Brown College as a hobby and personal interest. Besides, I’m a life-long learner and that means I continue to grow my brain. I complete my wine program in March and can call myself a full-fledged wine specialist – and let me tell you it’s a conversation piece at every cocktail party I’ve been to because there seems to be a great mystery to many people around wine. This program has taught me a lot: how to appreciate it, about the major wine regions around the world, what makes a wine age well, what foods are best to pair with it, what makes an expensive wine, and, above all, my education has demystified one of the oldest beverages in history.
Although I have traditionally been a red wine connoisseur, to my surprise, after tasting hundreds of wines from around the world, I discovered an appreciation for fine white wine. At the top of my love list is a crisp, aromatic Riesling. It has been said that Riesling is the best grape varietal in the world, originating in the Rhine region of Germany and is abundant with aroma and high acidity. My favourite Rieslings come from Alsace, but it should be noted that here in Ontario, producers are making excellent Rieslings, such as the Grange of Prince Edward County vineyard and winery estate in Prince Edward County. Many Rieslings are off-dry to sweet, but you can find some delicious dry ones.
Shannon’s Pick of the Week: This week I decided to order a bottle of wine with an online grocery delivery from Grocery Gateway as an experience; what a convenient way to order wine after all. I chose the Inniskillin dry Riesling (2014), from the VQA Niagara Peninsula region in Ontario. The lemon and lime citrus aroma notes do not disappoint. The palate displays light and crisp citrus flavours, as well as white flowers (floral) notes and minerality (like crushed rock). The acidity is a bit higher than I personally like, so best to consume this with food. Inniskillin is a credible, award-winning estate winery. At 12% alcohol it currently retails for $10.95 at the LCBO.
Do you have a favourite wine? Tweet to me at @Shannon_Skinner.
Shannon Skinner is on a journey of following her heart and creating change in the world. She is a broadcaster, inspirational speaker, author and writer on the subjects of change and travel. Her inspiring keynotes are uplifting and transforming lives around the globe. For more information about Shannon, visit www.ShannonSkinner.com and watch her interviews with extraordinary women at www.ExtraordinaryWomenTV.com.
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