Yo Quiero Taco Bell Wine
Taco Bell Wine Goes Viral. Taco Bell announced a wine/taco pairing for a new menu item, the Toasted Cheesy Chalupa, to be paired with Jalapeño Noir; “the duo is irresistible,” according to their media release. The wine is a Pinot Noir from Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Queenston Mile, made by Rob Power who called it “a textural bomb.” But when the news went viral, it sold out. Wines In Niagara called the campaign “a stroke of kitschy genius,” and went on to describe the wine as a “complex Pinot Noir with red berries, damp earth with plenty of racy acidity on the finish.” And Christine Sismondo for The Toronto Star said the “Jalapeño Noir is way better than a fast-food wine has any business being—it’s a perfectly tasty 12.7 per cent, cool-climate 2018 Pinot Noir.”
Sustainable Winemakers. For this year’s Jancis Robinson's annual writing competition, entrants had to write profiles of sustainable wine producers. Robinson ended up with more than 85 entries, of which 75 were published.
It is clear that the proportion of wine producers committed to organic — or the even more demanding biodynamic — vine‑growing has been increasing worldwide, even if the approach tends to be limited to small and midsized operations. Not that many years ago, it might have been assumed that any wine producer whose vineyards were certified organic was committed enough to deserve praise. Yet the detail in some of these entries made it clear that this is just the first tiny step towards true sustainability
The entries came from 22 countries, mostly the US and UK, but with one from Canada! Wine writer and educator Jacky Blisson submitted an entry about Southbrook Vineyards, writing about Bill Redelmeier, who established the winery in 1991; and who in the early 2000s, started working with biodynamic practitioner Ann Sperling.
The way Sperling sees it, 'we are the mask wearers – to use pandemic terms – we are the ones that are thinking about the big picture, the long-term; making decisions that protect us but also protect others'.
(Cancelled) Thanksgiving Wines. The Globe and Mail’s Christopher Waters provided some Thanksgiving wine recommendations, including the wild-fermented Best's Great Western Riesling ($19.95) from Australia, whose website says the winery practices a minimalist approach. On his IG, Waters also recommended Stratus Gamay ($29), calling it “a terrific representation of the bolder Niagara approach.” Meanwhile, Rosewood Winery released a few wines, including their newest glou glou Soupair Këwl ($25), and a Gamay reserve Waited on the Thunder ($42). While Hinterland released new vintages of their mainstay sparklers: Les Etoiles Method Traditional ($39.75), Rosé Method Traditional ($39.75), and Whitecap Method Charmat ($23.25). And natural wine importer, The Living Vine, curated A Very Nice Thanksgiving Mixed 4-pack ($160).
What’s it Like to Visit a Winery During a Pandemic? Well, I wouldn’t know as I don’t really leave my house, but NOW Magazine reported on how Ontarians “are flocking to Niagara’s more than 80 wineries for an experience that’s as relaxing and celebratory as many of us will have this year.” (Please note that NOW’s article is from several days ago, before some of the newest Covid news). Anywho, the article goes on to talk about masked and distanced winery visits, some of which were organized through Niagara Wine Tours International. And the Globe’s Christopher Waters also wrote about visiting wine country, saying it requires more planning, and usually reservations, with the enforcement of physical distancing and other protocols. But Waters suggests there is more of a learning opportunity with less guests, recommending visits to Malivoire, Kew Vineyards, Fielding Estate, and the Good Earth Food & Wine Co., to name a few.
