Wine Review:
2005 Bob Izumi Red,
2006 Bob Izumi White
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

We at London Ontario Golf take great pleasure in finding a hidden gem amongst golf gear - an innovative putter, longer driver or deadly accurate wedge. So, when it's time to put away the clubs and settle in at the grille - and of course, open a bottle of wine - it's always refreshing to discover a new wine that pleases our palate.

Bob Izumi is well known as Canada's most celebrated fisherman, but few know that he is a talented cook and connoisseur of fine wine. Now, Coyote's Run Estate Winery of St. David's, Ontario has hooked up with the great Canadian Outdoorsman and host of the Real Fishing Show to produce a set of signature wines.

"My father passed on to me an uncanny passion and love for the art of preparing fine cuisine and pairing it with fine wine," says Izumi. "The kitchen is undoubtedly my favourite place to be in our house."

The Bob Izumi Red and Bob Izumi White are VQA-certified and made with 100 per cent Niagara grown fruit. Izumi and winemaker David Sheppard share common interests in fishing, good food and great wine, so the Coyote's Run - Bob Izumi relationship was a natural fit.

"Having inherited a love of fishing and the great outdoors from both my father and grandfather, I find it particularly enjoyable and rewarding to be partnered with an accomplished fisherman like Bob," says Sheppard. "What a terrific opportunity to celebrate our love of wine and fine food, and through the Fishing Forever Foundation, play a part in passing on our cherished resource to future generations."

With every bottle of Bob Izumi wine sold, $1 will be donated to the Fishing Forever Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to providing fishermen with a vehicle to renew and preserve Ontario's fishing resource for today and for future generations. Izumi, the chair of Fishing Forever, has always focused on the messages of conservation and habitat protection.

"If we're to pass on to the next generation a piece of this important natural resource, we will need help. Conserving fisheries is the responsibility of all Ontarians. Our angling culture needs a focal point to attract individual and private sector commitment to maintain and enhance our lakes and rivers. Fishing Forever is that nucleus and the funds raised by my wines will help in this regard," says Izumi.

Coyote's Run is a small craft winery located on 58 acres near Niagara-on-the-Lake. This award-winning winery has been producing wine since 2003 and focuses on hand-crafted, small batch VQA wines. Coyote's Run produces a variety of other wines including Pinot Noir, Meritage, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling Icewine. These wines, as well as the Bob Izumi wines, are available at the winery retail store located on the vineyard property.

This month, we review the 2005 Bob Izumi Red, and 2006 Bob Izumi White.

2005 Bob Izumi Red

The 2005 Bob Izumi Red is complex in its simplicity. This is a wonderful special blend wine which is sure to please a variety of wine connoisseurs. Developed from a barrel by barrel selection of premium vinifera varietal lots, the 2005 Bob Izumi Red is powerful and bold, with a taste of dried red fruit and velvety tannins.

Indeed, complex is the ideal descriptive here, but despite its bold character, the 2005 Bob Izumi Red isn't overbearing. Recommended food pairings are venison or other game meats like wild boar or moose sausage. In fact, I spent a delightful afternoon relaxing in the kitchen, preparing stew made with venison. It proved to be the perfect partner for this wine. Cheers and thanks to the hunting members of my family for providing the venison. And here's a toast to Coyote's Run Estate Winery for producing such a great red.

Whether you're enjoying a snack of wine and cheese, or entertaining with a four-course meal, the 2005 Bob Izumi Red will deliver without flaw. It's a multi-purpose wine that makes a bold statement, and stands well on its own or with complementary dining delights.

2005 Bob Izumi Red
Vinification: Blend developed from a barrel by barrel selection of premium vinifera varietal lots.
Appellation: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Production Notes:
273 cases produced
Alcohol = 12.0 %
Sugar code (0 dry, 4.0 g/L)
Total acidity 5.9 g/L
Price: $22

2006 Bob Izumi White

No surprise, the 2006 Bob Izumi White captured Bronze at the Canadian Wine Awards. This is one of the best whites in its category which we have tested in recent memory, and we can't wait to share it with our family and friends.

An off-dry wine, the 2006 Bob Izumi White offers tasting notes of tangerine with hints of honey on the nose, and pure citrus flavours plus a mineral undercurrent on the palate. It provides a very mellow yet confident, full-body taste which saves the fruity flavour for last. Hence, Asian stir fry or grilled pork, or lighter pan seared fish make perfect food pairings.

We sampled this white before dinner and immediately raved about its well-rounded body with a surprising honey nose. Grilled chicken with a tangy sauce coating was our choice for dinner, and the 2006 Bob Izumi White delivered in spades. Two thumbs up: we highly recommend this wine when it's time to surprise your dinner guests. We can't wait to fire up the grille this summer after a round of golf, and barbecue some rainbow trout or salmon while toasting Coyote's Run Estate Winery and Bob Izumi for producing a terrific white wine.

2006 Bob Izumi White
Vinification: Vinified from premium vinifera grapes. Cool fermented for a fresh, fruit-forward style white wine, balanced by crisp natural acidity.
Appellation: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Production Notes:
528 cases produced
Alcohol = 11.5%
Sugar code (1, off-dry, 5.0 g/L)
Total acidity 6.6 g/L
Price: $16

We encourage you to visit the Coyote's Run Estate Winery web site, www.coyotesrunwinery.com, and the Fishing Forever Foundation web site, www.fishingforever.ca.