 |
Alvento Winery Vineland, Ontario www.alvento.ca |
Winemakers, Elyane Grenier and Bruno Moos |
 |
| Emilie Series Wines |
See Below |
||
| Available Online and the Winery |
|||
My introduction to this tiny winery goes back a few years. I originally met Bruno and his assitant wine maker Greg Yemen at a typical wine tasting event. The event wasn’t focused on Ontario wines, and I had mistaken Alvento for an international winery when i first walked by. Bruno spotted me later in the evening and urged me to come over and try some of the wines he was pouring that night. After nearly 45 minutes of tasting every wine he had at the event, I was hooked. Since then, I’ve run into Bruno and Greg at a few events, and finally had the opportunity to visit their lovely shop this summer.
Alvento’s operation is miniscule, operating with 16 acres at a waterfront site in the Niagara peninsula, the winery aims to produce premium quality bordeaux style wines. Vines were planted in 2001 but from extreme weather conditions in 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, the weather co-operated and Alvento has been on their way to producing high quality wine.
“We will only make wine if the vintage is good” Greg Yemen said to me recently while I was sampling some of Alvento’s new 2007 blends in the attic tasting room. In 2007, Alvento released three different styles of blended wine, titled Sondra, Elige and Emilie. It’s important to note that not only does Alvento adhere to strict quality control, but they only release the wines when they’re ready. For example, the Alvento Aria (using nebbiolo grapes) from the 2007 vintage, won’t be released until sometime NEXT year.
The Emilie style blends are my wines of choice for today. The 2007 Emilie blend was just released and I thought it would be fitting to do a comparison of the 2006 and 2007. Both wines are made from a blend of Cabernet Franc (70%) and Merlot (30%). Both wines are only available through the winery and were produced in limited quantities.
Alvento Emilie 2006, $23.95
The first release of the Cab / Merlot blend with plenty of evident oak and currants on the nose. On the palate it lasts long with plenty of crispiness (acidity) and a decent amount of pepper. Drinking nice now and could really go well with hearty meat dishes. Decant before drinking.
Alvento Emilie 2007, $29.95
From the well publicized 2007 vintage comes a cellar-worthy wine that stands out with dried fruit and spice on the nose. My partner during the tasting commented that she smelled ripe fruit, and oak. On the palate, the coffee characteristics are unmistakable, followed by toastiness and more fruit. It can easily sit in your cellar for a few years. If you’re enjoying it now, decant well.
Alvento Winery
3048 Second Avenue
Vineland, Ontario
www.alvento.ca
 |
 |
 |
