Hello Prince Albert! With the changing of seasons and the shifting of colors occurring across Saskatchewan, harvest time has begun and with it comes the hard work and determination of our farming communities. Even for those that live in the city, it is almost impossible not to notice the rising columns of dust and particles from the surrounding fields as farmers toil to complete the arduous task of harvesting their crops.
I’ve never worked on a farm myself, but I have a vivid memory of sitting on my grandpa’s lap in the combine, while he did the work he was so proud of. As there was so much work to do, you never knew when he would be back at the house for a meal. Grandma always had a bit of something ready to eat in case friends, company or workers stopped in. At times, meals were served in the field and gulped down quickly almost as a form of raw energy, necessary to complete the giant task of working the farm. These memories form a major core of who I am as a person, and I try to carry this humble attitude and graciousness when I talk about wine.
I was inspired this week by the machines and men/women, working during this harvest time on farms all across our province and when I saw that both the wines I chose this week featured a tractor on the front label (a complete accident), I knew it was meant to be. The two reds, Creekside Red Tractor and Road 13 Honest John’s Bold Red (from BC and Ontario respectively) are 100% Canadian and the tractor on each label represents the work and determination necessary to grow world-class grapes and make delicious-tasting wine.
The quality of the oak used to finish and age both wines is top notch, and you can really tell when you take a sip. Both wines have a noticeable oaky flavor which translates as a savory, toasty sensation on the teeth, lips, tongue and tastebuds. These are the kinds of wines that stick to your mouth, turn your lips and teeth red and give you a craving for hardy, grilled meats or farmer’s sausage cooked in a pan with a side of mashed potatoes.
The Creekside Red Tractor is a red blend from the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario (one of Canada’s most famous and recognizable wine regions) featuring 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. After vinification, this wine is aged in small lots or in other words, aged in smaller barrels which increases the surface area of wine to oak, increasing the assertiveness of oaky flavors in the wine. On the front label is a Massey Harris tractor which is still found on their farm to this day. Jump online to Creeksidewine.com to check out their early black Friday sale where you can sign up to save 10% off your order.
Road 13 is a winery from the Southern Okanagan Valley in BC and the tractor on this bottle represents the hard work of the man responsible for engineering the Okanagan canals, John Oliver. This winery produces many wines in a variety of quality levels including the Road 13 blends, the Select Harvest wines (an everyday type of wine), the John Oliver Selection series (representing the best output of this BC winery) and their old-vine sparkling Chenin Blanc among many others. You can join the Club 13 wine subscription on Road13vineyards.com and choose a variety of wine packages which are shipped directly to your home.
Even though I’m not a farmer, I’ve always been proud to have been raised in the prairies and farming is where my family has come from in Canada. Thank you to any and all farmers that may be reading this! None of us would be here without you!
Road 13 Honest John’s Bold Red Wine 2021: (VQA Okanagan Valley, BC). Dry to off-dry red, deep ruby color. The jammy nose is packed full of juicy blackberries, plums, raspberries, red and black currants, rich oak, mint and pepper. The flavors of this red are high in intensity with a round, medium-plus body and plush flavors of ripe plums, dark fruit leather, blackberry and a slightly meaty twang of smoke. The concentration of flavors is high on the mid-palate and is quickly followed by high tannins and assertive oaky pepper notes. The tannins stick to the mouth and lips, leaving a chewy, fuzzy sensation leading into a long finish of toasted oak, pepper, hints of mint and lingering blackberry and currants. Medium acidity keeps the palate clean and highlights the bold fruit and savory oak. Layered and delicious! Pair with beef and ale pot pie, Irish cheddar or a juicy mushroom cheeseburger. Very good! $29, 13.9% ABV
Creekside Red Tractor Cabernet/Merlot 2020: (VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario). Dry red, deep ruby color with hints of purple. The bouquet jumps out with aromas of sweet vanilla buttercream frosting, juicy plums, dark fruit, bushberries, fruit leather and blackberries. The medium body palate is more restrained than the nose and is immediately savory and toasty with animal notes (cooked/smoked meat), gravy, dried herbal spices, plums, blackberries and oaked vanilla. Dark fruit flavors hit first then the high tannins kick in, intermingling bold fruit and toasty, savory bitterness. Medium acidity with medium-plus intensity. The bitterness brings welcome balance to the wine as it morphs into a long, flavorful finish (lasting several minutes!). Many nuanced flavors can be discovered and tasted on the finish as the wine is savored and enjoyed: roast meat sear, dried herbs, oaky textures/flavors, vanilla, pepper and dark ripe fruits. This wine takes the best of fruity Canadian wines and blends it with European restraint (oak aging and excellent oak selection), resulting in a beautiful, fine wine that hits above its price point. Pair with roast lamb, grilled steaks or a fancy charcuterie board. Very good!! $29, 13.5% ABV
Cheers and thanks for reading!
