As we are members of the Fielding Wine Club we already have them pegged as one of our favourites in the region. Our friends hadn’t really been drinking white wines until they started touring wine regions this year and Fielding has some great whites and reds so it was only natural that we would stop in here.
Fielding Estate Winery (credit: Andrew Weber)
I love the feel of Fielding Estate Winery. It reminds me of being at a rich relative’s cottage. Gorgeous glass, wood and metal structure and cozy touches like the cosy Muskoka chairs (which also adorn all their capsules) combined with welcoming hosts makes for a really warm and comfortable visit.
Wood, glass, and steel inside Fielding Estate Winery (credit Andrew Weber)
Cosy spot for a quick rest
We’d previously enjoyed tasting with Andrew from Fielding Winery before. He’s a great source of knowledge and can recommend food pairings with most of the wines which makes chatting with him all the more interesting. We did a pretty thorough tasting:
2010 Gewürztraminer: Known for their aromatic whites, this Gewürztraminer did not disappoint. Great nose of lychee, kiwi, spice, and floral notes. On the palate was tropical fruit, with honey and almond notes. There’s some decent residual sugar that keeps the finish long. Pair this with a spicy Thai curry for an unbeatable combination. $15.95
2011 Chardonnay Musqué: This Musqué is a tropical fruit bomb. Pineapple and melon dominate both the nose and palate. Hints of tangerine and lemon are more noticeable as it warms slightly. Not too sweet and slightly lower acidity than I expected would make this great for everyday sipping or pair with your Aunt Barbara’s slightly overcooked turkey. $16.95
2010 Viognier: Viognier has to have one of the most expressive noses of any wine and this one does not disappoint with candied fruit notes like bananas, pineapples, and pears. There’s a hint of something floral and as it warmed, the nose was reminiscent of juicy-fruit gum. A mouthful of smooth fruit cocktail with a slight spiciness on the palate finishes long. A beauty that I think I would just sip slowly on a long afternoon. $25.95
2011 Lot 17 Riesling: If it seems that I am overly fond of off-dry Rieslings from the Bench area, I plead guilty as charged. Honeyed peaches and tropical fruit are offset by a core acidity in that glorious yin and yang of sweetness and acidity. The finish beautiful citrus peel and honey. Did I mention I loved this wine? Thinking of having it next time I make my goat cheese & beet pizza. $25.95
2010 Cabernet Franc: I’ve tried this a couple of times since their Cuvee gold medal win and I have to say I think it is getting better in the bottle. Oodles of dark cherry, plums, and cassis, are treated with leathery, cigar-box notes and a hint of smoke. Minimal herbal notes although if i go looking for them I do find them. There’s ample acidity and fine tannins that keep the fruit monster in check on the palate, which ends with a smooth spicy finish. A great value, exemplary Cabernet Franc that would be good with anything off the BBQ. $21.95.
2007 Meritage: Slight earthy, leathery notes & mocha ride a wave of dark cherry liqueur on the nose. Luscious Damaskus plums, sweet spice, cedar, and black pepper fill out the luscious palate. A long, slight spicy plum finish. Still great acidity and tannic structure. Andrew recommended this is drinking really well now (and they’ve recently dropped the price). We opened one up this month and I think it still has 5+ years in it so I am going to hang on to my second bottle for a few years yet. We sipped this in front of the fire one night and finished it the next but it is pretty powerful and could use some rare meats or old cheddar in a pairing. $44.95
2007 Chosen Few: This wine is made rarely, and only from their very top barrels. The well integrated wine shows tons of fresh and dried fruit in the form of cassis, black cherries and plums. The palate is fruit forward with hints of herbal/cedar notes, prominent dark chocolate, sweet spice, and fresh black pepper. Still lots of tannic structure means you can stick this one away for the long haul (8-10 yrs). Try it with a hearty beef stew ora rack of lamb. $59.95