Review: Dan Aykroyd Wines
Ontario Discovery Series 2007:
2007 Cabernet Shiraz,
2007 Sauvignon Blanc
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

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, reviewed this 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.

2007 Cabernet Shiraz

This wonderful wine was a winner at the All Canadian Wine Championships 2008, Bronze Medal, in the Red Vitis Vinifera category, and it captured the Canadian Wine Awards 2008 Bronze Medal. No surprises. This is a complex red, well layered, with a rich bouquet of dark berry fruit and peppery notes. The palate is smooth in texture, showing concentrated flavours of plumb and cassis, complemented by an undercurrent of spicy layers.

We enjoyed this wine with aged cheddar cheese, and roast beef dinner. Suggested food pairings: mild pepperoni pizza, mild to medium grilled Italian sausages, or veal scaloppini.

The grapes used to produce this 2007 cabernet shiraz underwent a 30-day maceration and hot fermentation period. The wine is then gently barrel aged in a combination of American (75%) and French (25%) oak barrels for 12 months prior to bottling. Blend ratio: Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Shiraz (25%). Harvest dates: October 6 to November 1, 2007.

This was the first wine from Dan Aykroyd Wines that we tasted - what an introductory! We can't wait to try more reds from this refreshing new entry on the Ontario wine scene. As they say in the movie biz: Two thumbs up.

2007 Sauvignon Blanc

Just when we thought we were spoiled with the 2007 Cabernet Shiraz from the Ontario Signature Series, along came the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc. What more can say except, bravo!

This aromic Sauvignon Blanc is bursting with fresh aromas of peaches and gooseberries. The palate complements the nose with crisp citrus flavours of lemon-line, grapefruit and nectarine, accompanied by slight grassy and mineral notes. We thoroughly enjoyed this sauvignon blanc with our rainbow trout. Suggested food pairings: sushi, semi-soft cheeses or herbed vegetable dishes.

The 2007 Sauvignon Blanc is also an award winner, capturing kudos at the All Canadian Wine Championships 2008, Gold Medal, Sauvignon Blanc category, and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 2008, 1st Place - Red Ribbon, Sauvignon Blanc Under $20 category, and the Ottawa Food and Wine Show, Gold Medal, Sauvignon Blanc category.

The grapes for this wine were intentionally harvested at different times in order to incorporate a variety of maturity levels from the fruit into this wine. After harvest, the grapes were de-stemmed, crushed and pressed upon arrival to the winery. The wine was cool-fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks before cold stabilized and filtered prior to bottling. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Harvest dates September 17 to 25, and October 25, 2007.

This wine is terrific on its own, as it truly is bursting with fruity flavour. It's not overbearing, yet provides just enough courage to impress you with its peach and gooseberry taste.

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.