Wait. It's still spinning. WTF?
I was driving that night, so I knew that uncomfortable sense of vertigo wasn't from the wine. It was from the room itself - the revolving Summit Room atop Ottawa's Marriott Hotel.
I'm sure in its heyday revolving rooms were the thing, but it wasn't quite my thing. One minute I was standing perfectly straight (and sober); the next, I had lurched over sideways, spilling some of my wine in the process. I looked like a drunk. Except I wasn't! Really! (Well, this time at least ...)
I pushed aside the motion sickness and took in the ever-changing vistas of city skyline, rolling hills and still-frozen Ottawa River waning into dusk. And then I turned my focus back on the wine. All better.
Savvy's annual County love-in attracted many of PEC's mainstays including The Grange of Prince Edward, Rosehall Run and Lighthall, along with newbies Trail Estate and Traynor Family Vineyard. It drew in an impressive, sold-out crowd, many of whom took advantage of the "VIT" (Very Important Taster) early access to the soirée.
Plenty of favourites to swoon over, and some new finds for the cellar:
Trail Estate 2013 Unoaked Chardonnay (13.4% abv; $25.95) - This was the Estate's first vintage, already showing tremendous promise for more great things to come. Buttery nose, whiffs of pineapple and mango that follow through on the palate. The feel, however, is quite dry, with a moderate zing of acidity and hints of Granny Smith apple on the finish.
Traynor Family Vineyard 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Gris (13% abv; $24.95 at winery) - Wine of the Night! Complex aromas of lychee, mint, cedar and fresh-cut grass. Lemon-lime on the palate, then POW! Slap of acidity right upside the head (in a good way, of course.) Must. Buy. This. Wine.
Traynor 2013 Alta Red (12.7% abv; $19.95) - Fruit-forward blend of Frontenac Gris and Marquette with a nose of cranberries, strawberry and bubble gum. Tart and tangy with gobs of cranberry coming through. Wraps up juicy-sweet without being cloying, showing off the characteristics of each varietal with panache.
Devil's Wishbone 2013 Wicked White ($18) - Riesling, chardonnay and pinot gris come together in this fragrant bouquet of delicate flowers, perfume, toasted marshmallow (!) and lemon zest. A well-balanced crowd pleaser perfect for the patio.
Devil's Wishbone 2013 Incarnate Red ($18) - Raspberries, violets and cinnamon jump out of the glass, while the palate is gripped by chalky, dusty tannins and notes of leather, green pepper and blackberry jam.
Huff Estates 2013 Riesling Medium-Dry ($18) - This has all the great charm of Riesling without the off-putting petrol (ok, so there's a little hint of it there, but not much.) Orange blossom up front, then honeyed sweetness, tangy lemon zest and complex tropical fruit dominated by pineapple. Lingering, fragrant finish.
Barley Days Royal George Brown Ale - After all that wine, my poor tongue needed a break. The Royal George fit the bill perfectly: an enticing nose of coffee, caramel and coconut with more of the same on the palate, along with a creamy, smooth texture. Not too light, not too strong, but with flavour and character that makes it far too easy to drink.
Plenty of favourites to swoon over, and some new finds for the cellar:
Trail Estate 2013 Unoaked Chardonnay (13.4% abv; $25.95) - This was the Estate's first vintage, already showing tremendous promise for more great things to come. Buttery nose, whiffs of pineapple and mango that follow through on the palate. The feel, however, is quite dry, with a moderate zing of acidity and hints of Granny Smith apple on the finish.
Traynor Family Vineyard 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Gris (13% abv; $24.95 at winery) - Wine of the Night! Complex aromas of lychee, mint, cedar and fresh-cut grass. Lemon-lime on the palate, then POW! Slap of acidity right upside the head (in a good way, of course.) Must. Buy. This. Wine.
Traynor 2013 Alta Red (12.7% abv; $19.95) - Fruit-forward blend of Frontenac Gris and Marquette with a nose of cranberries, strawberry and bubble gum. Tart and tangy with gobs of cranberry coming through. Wraps up juicy-sweet without being cloying, showing off the characteristics of each varietal with panache.
Devil's Wishbone 2013 Wicked White ($18) - Riesling, chardonnay and pinot gris come together in this fragrant bouquet of delicate flowers, perfume, toasted marshmallow (!) and lemon zest. A well-balanced crowd pleaser perfect for the patio.
Devil's Wishbone 2013 Incarnate Red ($18) - Raspberries, violets and cinnamon jump out of the glass, while the palate is gripped by chalky, dusty tannins and notes of leather, green pepper and blackberry jam.
Huff Estates 2013 Riesling Medium-Dry ($18) - This has all the great charm of Riesling without the off-putting petrol (ok, so there's a little hint of it there, but not much.) Orange blossom up front, then honeyed sweetness, tangy lemon zest and complex tropical fruit dominated by pineapple. Lingering, fragrant finish.
Barley Days Royal George Brown Ale - After all that wine, my poor tongue needed a break. The Royal George fit the bill perfectly: an enticing nose of coffee, caramel and coconut with more of the same on the palate, along with a creamy, smooth texture. Not too light, not too strong, but with flavour and character that makes it far too easy to drink.
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