My Uncle gave me homemade wine from the relatively obscure wine region of Northwestern Ontario. Is that considered a local wine? He is my Uncle (that’s kinda local), it was made in Ontario (a two day’s drive from where I live but still in Ontario), and it does fit in with the 1200 mile diet that I am trying out this week (well today).
My Uncle Art, the original “most Harrowsmith man in the world”, gave me a High Bush Cranberry Wine from Dryden ON - vintage August 2009. Usually that’s not a good sign on a vintage when they also tell you the month, but for this wine it seemed perfect.
The nose is of sweaty socks – exactly what high bush cranberries smell like – so I guess it’s off to a good start. The colour is a lovely hue of light rhubarb, and it tastes like those stinky cranberries. Also, it drinks like a grappa and my Uncle doesn’t tell me what the alcohol content is - so user beware.
Seriously though, I literally ran around my neighbourhood pouring glasses for 3 of my neighbours who I knew would be as excited about it as I was.
Thanks Uncle Art – you’re part Uncle, part winemaker to me. This may be how Tio Pepe got his start.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:25 am
“Most Harrowsmith man in the world” indeed! When we build the meat smoker out of a cardboard refrigerator box and spare oven parts scrounged from the used stuff store, I felt that somehow we were honouring uncle Art with our ingenuity and resourcefulness that eventually led to good food.
Wish I had been there for the tasting.
Kenn,
P.s. look up the Somotano region in Spain and see what you find out. I’ve been trying a number of them and I’ve been impressed.
January 9th, 2012 at 6:30 am
Mmmm cardboard refrigerator smoked pork
February 19th, 2011 at 11:59 am
[...] By Travis Oke I obtained a bottle of Gooseberry Wine this week - same supplier as my High Bush Cranberry Wine . This wine had only a hint of smelly sock on the nose. I was a little disappointed because I [...]
January 9th, 2012 at 1:02 am
[...] Uncle Art came through again … this time with a home-crafted wine that has rose petals in it. Rose petals from his garden! It was a delicate wine that hinted of gourmet candyfloss – if there is such a thing. Well done my Uncle – I like the duel going on between yourself and Uncle Ron. Keep me in the middle of it. [...]