Review: Dan Aykroyd Wines
Ontario Discovery Series 2007:
Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Merlot
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

Last month, we reviewed two surprisingly excellent offerings from Dan Aykroyd Wines’ Ontario Discovery Series 2007: Cabernet Shiraz, and Sauvignon Blanc. This month, we sample four more offerings from Aykroyd’s Ontario Discovery Series 2007, but first a bit about this newcomer to the domestic wine world.

Canadian athletes and celebrities are jumping on the wine bandwagon in a big way. Mike Weir Estate Winery, Bob Izumi Wines and Wayne Gretzky Estates have all won applause for their entries into the domestic wine industry.

Canada's Dan Aykroyd is no stranger to applause. The multi-talented actor, nominated for a supporting actor Oscar for his role in 1989's, Driving Miss Daisy, is not unfamiliar with wine, either.

"I love the big, bold, monster Bordeauxs," Aykroyd said in June 2007 during the launch of his signature line of wine. "I want it to really be a success in Canada," added the Ottawa-born artist, known for a variety of roles including starring roles in, The Blues Brothers, Ghost Busters, and, of course, his many comedic roles on Saturday Night Live. And don't forget his supporting role in 1992's, Chaplin - one of my favourite flicks.

Just like his roles on the big and small screen, Aykroyd's wine offerings are already just as versatile and complex. In specific, his 2007 Ontario Discovery Series delivers much more bang for the buck than you would expect for wines in the $15 to $25 category. In fact, I already have chosen a few favourites which we reviewed last month: the 2007 Cabernet Shiraz; and 2007 Sauvignon Blanc.

In June 2007, Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd., the Toronto-based sales and marketing agency that owns four Southern Ontario wineries including EastDell Estates, Lakeview Cellars, Birchwood Estate and Thomas & Vaughan, announced it would add to its exciting portfolio of owned and operated wineries by building The Dan Aykroyd Winery. The project consists of a $12-million, 45,000-square-foot winery built off the QEW highway where the company's Birchwood Estate winery is currently located.

"This amazing facility is a symbol of my ongoing commitment to helping sustain the growth of the Canadian wine industry," said Aykroyd.

The Dan Aykroyd Winery, designed by the award-winning firm Moriyama + Teshima architects, features a multi-level hospitality building that accommodates Diamond Estates' agri-tourism strategy. The winery's theme pays tribute to the region's terroir and to Dan Aykroyd's 30-plus years of work in film and television by showcasing some of his favourite memorabilia throughout the building.

"The Dan Aykroyd Winery presents Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits with the opportunity to accelerate our company's expansive growth in the Ontario wine industry while ensuring we continue to create and deliver compelling branded VQA wines," said Murray Marshall, CEO, Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits.

The winery's hospitality building and production facility is designed with a number of environmentally sustainable elements including a geothermal heating and cooling system and solar lighting.

"I am very proud to lend my name to this winery. It is a true expression of my passion for the world-class wines of the Niagara region," said Aykroyd.

Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd. serves as the sales and marketing agency for domestic wines from Lakeview Cellars, EastDell Estates, Birchwood Estate and Thomas & Vaughan as well as compelling international wine and spirits brands from premium regions around the world.

Formed in early-2000, Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd. won the LCBO's ELSIE Award in 2008 for "Best Product Launch" in the wines category for its launch of Dan Aykroyd Wines in Ontario. Here are this month's reviews – including a few more favourites.

2007 Riesling

This Riesling presents the nose with aromas of ripe peaches, sweet apple and pineapple. The palate detects fresh citrus and tart green apple. Enjoy with seafood dishes, Asian cuisine or vegetarian pasta. We love this Riesling and have marked it for future purchase, as it pleased the entire gang while paired with grilled salmon and shrimp.

2007 Chardonnay

This medium-bodied Chardonnay exhibits aromas of fresh apples and lime zest. The palate is bursting with flavours of orchard peaches and nectarines with slight oak character in the background. Enjoy with grilled vegetables, chicken in a creamy sauce or fresh rabbit terrine. Great effort from Dan Aykroyd Wines!

2007 Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir gives fresh fruit on the nose and palate including hints of sour cherry, cranberry, raspberry and vanilla, combined with a hint of mushroom. Smokey and spicy notes will develop with age. Enjoy it with pork loin, turkey with cranberry sauce or grilled sausage and vegetables. Two thumbs up: full body bursting with flavour.

2007 Cabernet Merlot

Another of our new favourites, with a medium-bodied bouquet of dark, lightly peppered ripe fruits. The wine is approachable despite its youth, showing green bell pepper, with more fruit layers and spice on the palate. Enjoy with garlic and red wine sauce, cabbage rolls with thick tomato sauce or ground beef lasagne. We enjoyed this wine with grilled chicken and roasted tomato and garlic sauce accompanied by roasted potatoes – superb!

Applause, applause, Dan Aykroyd. Who knew a Conehead could display this much moxy in wine production?

Wish to try a new quality Ontario wine without breaking the bank? We highly recommend the 2007 Ontario Discovery Series from Dan Aykroyd Wines. For more information, visit www.danaykroydwines.com and www.diamondwines.com.