Again over the holidays I had an opportunity to taste two Ontario wines from Liebling Wines, a virtual winery based in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. New to me; first a virtual winery, something I hadn’t encountered in B.C., and second, an opp9rtunity to experience Ontario wines. This time the Liebling Gamay.
After ten days away in Victoria, following by a four hour drive back home, I couldn’t wait to open the bottle of Liebling Gamay waiting for me. I have a theory about red wines; according to my tasting radar reds are either lean, ripe or rich. Well let me tell you that the Liebling Gamay fell into my two favourite categories, both ripe and rich. Made that four hour drive worthwhile.
I paired the wine, over a couple of days, first the same afternoon with a cheese plate. A trio of some of my favourite cheeses; a double cream brie, a cambozola (camembert gorgonzola) and a stinky, strong cheese St. Albray from France. What a treat! Next paired with a vegetable stir-fry with lots of garlic and ginger, and finally tonight I think it’s going to pair perfectly with Miso Dumpling soup.
2023 Liebling Gamay
CREEK ROAD VINEYARD, FOUR MILE CREEK, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
This is a special vineyard for the Oppenlaender children as it is one that we all witnessed being planted in 1996, have all worked on, and now are able to produce a wine that we’re super proud to share with others. Our 2022 Gamay was picked the morning of October 12th, underwent a gentle winemaking process, and aged for nine months in French oak barrels. Medium ruby in colour, notes of cherry, raspberry and vanilla. Medium weight with light acidity, youthful tannins and a smooth finish.
The first thing I noticed about this wine was the brilliant ruby colour, like sunshine through a stained-glass window Quite beautiful to look at, especially nice to savour in the glass. lightly scented with dusty rose, Bing cherries and stewed Italian plum with a touch of red apple. Just a hint of citrus to round it out.
Lighter in body but interestingly layered in flavours that follow the nose with delicate, but deep, ripe red fruit, most prominent. Tannins are almost indistinguishable. Red fruit that elevates with each sip, openig to a peppery hit of richness making it a pleasant departure from a heavier wine. This Gamay hits all the right notes and exhibits pairing perfection both on the nose as well as following pleasantly to the palate.
A must try for lovers of a wine that manages to match richness with a complex, yet slightly lighter bodied, experience.
$26.00 online or order from My Wine Canada where it is currently on for $23.01
A JOURNEY THROUGH VINEYARD TO WINE
Liebling Wines is a virtual winery based in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. We specialize in producing wines from single vineyards in the Niagara Region.
Our story began in 1984 when our dad, Matthias Oppenlaender, travelled to Ontario to plant a 40-acre vineyard nestled under the Niagara Escarpment in Queenston.
Liebling Wines is an expression of the land, of grape-growing, and of the many hands that play an integral part in nurturing and crafting grapes into wine.
Liebling Wines are fresh, approachable, and always authentic from single vineyards across Niagara. They’re unpretentious, straightforward, and fun. They are wines to celebrate the everyday, the opportunities, the adventures, and most importantly, to celebrate love.
WineClub.ca is about so much more than just a wine subscription—it’s about the story, and the passion behind every bottle. Every month, My Wine Canada’s Wine Club.ca partners with a different Canadian winery, often small-batch and family-run, to showcase what makes them special. They work directly with the winemakers to select the wines they’re most proud of, the ones that truly represent their craft and the heart of their vineyard. My Wine Canada wine experts help curate these selections, so you’re not just drinking great wine—you’re getting an intimate look into the stories, the people, and the places that make Canadian wine so unique.
Since Wine Club Canada’s Wine Club.ca works directly with the wineries, we’re able to offer these exceptional wines at an incredible value, delivered straight to your door. These are the kinds of wines you’d never find at your local store. With WineClub.ca, you’re not just buying wine—you’re exploring Canada’s wine country in a way that’s personal, effortless, and unforgettable.
Below you will find an outline of how My Wine Canada’s Wine Club.ca works.
Wine Subscription Canada
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Featuring unique VQA wines sourced directly from Canadian wineries. Each wine subscription is curated by the My Wine Canada team of wine experts, offering selections you won’t find in local liquor stores.
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My Wine Canada are proud fans of Canadian wine and spirits! With over 1,500 products listed in their popular online marketplace ranging from wine and whisky to cider and mead, they are the largest online beverage alcohol store in the country with something for every sipper. Established in 2013, My Wine Canada are the go-to site for wine and spirits recommendations, shopping, and delivery for Canadians from coast to coast.
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My Wine Canada is an online wine and spirits store that enables Canadian consumers to shop for and buy products online from Canada’s top wineries and distilleries. This means you get to learn about and buy the very best Canadian wine and spirits online, anytime, without going anywhere. The process is very simple: just pick it, ship it and sip it.
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My Wine Canada also offers a popular Wine Blog that is written by some of Canada’s most noted wine experts. It acts as a hub for great information about Canadian wine, top Canadian wine producers and wineries, food pairings, and much more. Discover new wines of Canada and improve your wine knowledge without venturing to a single wine store. Think of My Wine Canada as a one-stop online-shop for anything related to wine in Canada.
GET TOP CANADIAN WINES EACH MONTH
One of the most popular features of My Wine Canada is the ability to get the most exclusive, premier wine in Canada delivered to your door automatically each month. A Canadian winery is chosen each month to showcase their top selections, so you get the best variety and can discover new tastes and favourites, all while improving your wine knowledge with included information, pairing recommendations and even reviews from Canadian wine experts. Sign up for the Wine of the Month Club today.
Pick it, ship it, sip it! Your favourite Canadian wine and spirits delivered right to your door.
At My Wine Canada, they’re bridging the gap between wine/spirits producers and consumers with two specific goals: to provide producers with alternative and additional sales opportunities, and to provide consumers with direct access to our country’s wonderful domestic libations. My Wine Canada are part of the Ontario Made Manufacturers and Retailers. My Wine Canada acknowledge funding from the federal and provincial governments.
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Wine notes and information courtesy of the winery. My notes (in italics) Images: MyVanCity. Bottle shot shown with a Josephinen-Hutte universal wine glass. I received complimentary wine to facilitate this feature.
