Two More Sauvignon Blancs

Strewn Winery

Since Strewn wine labels are very sleek and sophisticated, I expected an ultra modern winery with lots of steel, glass and dark wood but was greeted instead by a salmon-coloured, Asian looking building with well manicured gardens and lawn.  Inside, a greeter directed us to one of two tasting rooms, which was set up to accommodate large groups of Wine & Herb tourists simultaneously. 

Strewn's assigned herb was mint, which it used in a vinaigrette dressing for a mixed green salad with asparagus and feta cheese.  Given the winery's on site cooking school and restaurant, it is not surprising that the salad was delicious, and since they gave out the recipe, we'll be making it again in the future.  Unfortunately, Strewn's 2008 Sauvignon Blanc did not stand up to the salad, despite its bigger, mildewy nose and golden colour.  The taste was crisp, but quite thin, and the mild taste of nectarine / tropical fruit got lost under the intense mint flavour of the vinaigrette.  I am interested in returning to this winery at some point, though, to try both its restaurant and its separate "terroir" tasting room which only offers tasting flights of its premium wines.

Niagara College Teaching Winery

This was a much better experience than my first visit to NC Teaching Winery.  We were able to sit outside on the patio overlooking the vineyards that blend into the side of the escarpment to enjoy the best pairing of the day: 2009 Sauvignon Blanc and "five spice Ontario pork loin with mango chili salsa".  Compared to the other bottle we purchased that day from Stonechurch, this one, for $15.95,  has a bigger nose, mostly of mildew, and a bigger body.  It's slightly sour, less dry and has a very consistent flavour of sour apple with a light minerality throughout.  It's acidity tickles the sides of the tongue, almost as if it were carbonated.  What impressed us about the pairing wasn't just how the wine and the spices played off each other, but also that the wine brought out the flavours in the pork itself.  I should also note that wine accessories appear to be less expensive at NC than at other boutiques; we bought an epicvac wine saver set for $17 that we'd seen at other wineries for $25.