Coteau Rougemont Vidal Reserve
So. Canadian wine, eh? Although in this case I suppose I should say “oui” as today’s post is about Quebecois wine. My family is from Quebec. Originally. Like three or four generations ago. We’re Lemieux and Dion so, yeah. Despite any possible family remaining in Canada, I did not receive this Coteau Rougemont Vidal Reserve from them. Rather, Istanbites, who actually is Quebecois, brought it back from a visit to Montreal.
Founded in 2007 by the Robert family, Coteau Rougemont planted its first vines in Quebec’s sandy soils in 2008. From those early Frontenac vines, the vineyards have expanded to include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Vidal, Pinot Noir, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac Blanc, Ste-Croix, Marquette, and Saint Pépin. The winery makes a wine range of wines of the still, sparkling, fortified, and ice variety.
Never heard of most of those grapes? You wouldn’t be the only one. The Pinots and Chardonnay aside I was familiar only with Vidal and Marquette as we have those in the US. For all I know we have the others too… Vidal is a hybrid grape; the result of crossing Trebbiano with Rayon d’Or. Apparently it was created to kick start brandy production in Canada. Now it’s used in wine in Canada and the US Mid West and North East. Its thick skins and high acidity make it perfect for ice wine production but it’s also used in still and sparkling.
Coteau Rougemont Vidal Reserve 2015 Tasting Notes
For its Vidal Reserve Coteau Rougemont vinified and aged the wine for nine months in French and American barrels with regular batonnage. The resulting wine glowed a pretty medium dark gold in the glass.
A rich wine on the nose with fruit character, floral notes and honey detail. Ripe pear and apricot accompany the perfume of sweet honeysuckle flowers. Dry on the palate with a medium body, moderate alcohol (12%), and a bit of fatness from the sur lie ageing. Easy acidity helped elevate the fruit flavors and added a sliver of minerality while the lees lent a flavor of flaky pastry crust on the medium long finish.
Never had a Canadian wine? This isn’t a bad place to start!