Malivoire Wine Company, Twenty Valley, Ontario

Milli Thornton — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:11:42 +0000

OUR DINNER AT About Thyme Bistro, Vineland, Ontario would not have been as sublime as it was without the bottle of award-winning 2007 Old Vines Foch, a superb red. This came from Malivoire, a winery just down the road apiece from the restaurant.

I can’t claim to be a wine connoisseur. All I know is that I was in the presence of a great bottle of wine.

Malivoire Old Vines Foch at About Thyme Bistro

Our wine was decanted for us as part of the gracious table service. Decanting is a simple process whereby the wine is poured into a separate glass container in order to let it breathe.

Being impressed with our first taste of Malivoire, we decided to seek them out. There are so many wineries in the Twenty Valley— when it comes to choosing one to visit (especially when you only have a weekend) it can be overwhelming. The personal recommendation from our own taste buds was just what we needed to help us narrow down the choices.

Malivoire Wine Company offers an inviting, vine-covered entrance (flowered vines, this time) with a stylish tasting room. The friendly gentleman who helped us choose our wines was possibly the owner: not only was he knowledgeable, it became obvious that he’s intimately involved with the vineyards.

I’ve been to wine tastings before—of the gourmet cheese and water cracker type where everybody mingles and tries a lot of wine (but you don’t learn much of anything new). It was fascinating to go through the proper procedure with somebody who knows his stuff.

Naturally, we were hoping to stock up on Old Vines Foch, but it was sold out. Not surprising! However, we were very happy to take home a few bottles of 2007 Gamay plus a bottle of Icewine Cabernet Franc.

Malivoire received a gold medal at the 2009 Ontario Wine Awards for their 2007 Gamay:

“Deep ruby colour; an intense nose of fresh, ripe bramble fruits followed by cooked plum, sour cherry, vanilla, cinnamon and cigar box. Vibrant red berry upfront on the palate followed by dark cherry, this wine has a plush body with soft tannins and lively acidity.”

Now, if only I’d get busy in the kitchen and cook something worthy of one of those bottles of Gamay!

Malivoire Wine Company, Beamsville, Twenty Valley, Ontario, Canada

The Twenty Valley is a short, pleasant drive into Ontario, just beyond Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.

Millivers Travels » WINE & BEER

Malivoire Wine Company, Twenty Valley, Ontario