Delicate straw colour, this vintage is strikingly fresh, lean and dry. Aromas include green apple, grapefruit rind and biscuit. Flavours of lemon and lime with a chalky minerality.

Winemaker's Notes:
Our Pinot Gris clone 53 on rootstock 3309 was planted in 1998 at a vine density of 3625 vines per hectare at our sustainably farmed Estate vineyard on the Beamsville Bench. A warm, sunny summer with 17 days reaching temperatures above 30°C followed a mild winter and spring. Growing degree days above 5°C numbered 2,215. Conditions through harvest were cloudy, cool and rainy.

Between September 28th and 30th, we hand-harvested the fruit at an average of 20.6° brix, titratable acidity of 7.9 g/l and a pH of 3.2. After hand sorting, the majority of the fruit was destemmed and then left on the skins for an average of 3 hours. The rest went straight to press whole cluster. Gently pressed to 1.1 atmospheres, settled, then fermented cool in stainless steel to dryness. Aged in stainless steel to preserve fruit and crispness. The finished wine at 12.5% alcohol was bottled under Stelvin® closure on January 23, 2007. Drink now until 2009.

Food Pairings:
Food finds this an approachable wine. Can we suggest a few ideas? Spaghetti Lemone with seared zucchini, mussels with pernod and shallots, roasted sea bream with braised endive and puree of yellow beet, or roasted cauliflower soup.

Wine Reviews:
"Medium straw with lightly oxidized green tint in colour. Lime, lemon, red apple, tangerine and minerals on its nose. Light to medium bodied with under-ripe tropical fruit and tart apple flavours, great acidity and a lingering, fresh lime pulp finish. Match it with tomato marinated pork kebabs. Great value." - Zoltan Szabo

“… peach blossom and peach pit bouquet; drier and less extracted than previous vintages with a fine dry, white peach and citrus flavour and a crisp minerally finish. ****” Tony Aspler

“For all round drinkability the star white is 06 Pinot Gris. Fruity, fresh and friendly”. Billy Munnelly

"Classic pear notes in the aroma signal pure pinot gris, but there's also a play of apple, lime and subtle tropical guava and papaya, which carry spicily into the flavours. The finish hints of tangerines and peeled papaya. A zingy, crisp style."
Food suggestion: Baby beet salad.Rating: 90 / 100 - Gord Stimmell (March-08)

"Martin Malivoire has certified organic vineyards in the Beamsville Bench of the Niagara Peninsula and is going biodynamic with the Moira vineyard. Core wines, such as the pinot gris, are popular additions to restaurant lists and more readily available. This has a medium body with a pleasantly crisp character with notes of pink grapefruit, spice and lime. The dry finish and overall lean nature makes it a good food wine." Margaret Swaine (National Post - April 5-08)

"Moderate intensity, smoky, yellow plum and pitted fruit aromas. Medium body with high acid and lemon-lime freshness. This is a lighter more upright style of Pinot, a little more Grigio than Gris. Drink now with grilled squid". Score 87 - John Szabo (May 12-08)

"Made 100% from Pinot Gris vines planted in 1998, this delivers very attractive flavours on a texture of refreshing acidity. A very fine balancing act here, and it goes well with goat cheese. " - 4 Stars (Rod Phillips, August 2008)

Last Updated: August 2008

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