Cave Spring Cellars
In 1978, John Pennachetti, Sr. and his son Leonard planted some of Niagara’s first European varietal vines, Riesling sourced from a German nursery, at Cave Spring Vineyard, located high up on a terrace of the Niagara Escarpment overlooking Lake Ontario known as the Beamsville Bench. The site caught their attention for its gentle slope and stony, limestone-rich soils, holding great promise for cool- climate viticulture. In 1986, together with winemaker Angelo Pavan, the family founded Cave Spring Cellars.
Today, Cave Spring controls more than 70 hectares of vineyards on the Beamsville Bench and the Twenty Mile Bench. It is this area’s unique combination of geology, elevation and proximity to Lake Ontario that enables Cave Spring to produce wines of depth and complex character. The glacial-till limestone, shale and sandstone soils provide a nutrient-rich base for feeding the vines, while the estates’ gently sloping cliffs capture the temperate lake-effect breezes that extend the growing season.
Known as Canada’s pre-eminent Riesling producer, Cave Spring also specializes in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Gamay. With distribution in the US, UK, Europe and Asia, Cave Spring is quickly forging an international name, in particular for its age-worthy Rieslings.
2007 Riesling
- Style: Med-Dry
- Type: Table
- Region/Appellation: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Aromas of Golden Delicious apple and peach, with scents of apricot, ruby grapefruit and anise; the palate starts out medium dry and
racy with ripe apple fruit; the middle is rich, dense and juicy, underpinned by ripe yellow plum fruit and crystalline textures
throughout; notes of spice and grapefruit rind carry long onto the finish. Food Matches: Roasted poultry and game; pan-fried salmon or
shellfish; boiled lobster; barbecued pork; breaded veal; Pad Thai.
2007 Riesling Estate
- Style: Dry
- Type: Table
- Region/Appellation: VQA Beamsville Bench
Explosive aromas of ripe yellow grapefruit, rhubarb, white peach and Anjou pear with notes of white flower (Fresia) and wet stone in
behind; the palate is full, slightly off dry and a touch oily, with lime and grapefruit zest on the attack, stony/chalky textures in the
middle and a finish of candied orange essence and ginger spice. Food Matches: Lobster bisque; sautéed trout; quiche Lorraine; raclette;
roast lemon chicken; sautéed sweetbreads; choucroute garnis.
2007 Riesling CSV
- Style: Med-Dry
- Type: Table
- Region/Appellation: VQA Beamsville Bench
A very ripe, complex nose with scents of yellow plum, ruby grapefruit, fennel and honeysuckle shining through; full bodied and just
off dry, the palate is loaded with luscious peach, plum and guava fruit, yet reigned in by a slatey, mineral feel and racy core of acidity
which tapers the palate down into a long, lacy plum/spice finish. Food Matches: Grilled turbot; deep-fried calamari; onion tart;
steamed lobster; chicken curry; pork or veal cutlets; duck confit.
2007 Riesling Indian Summer
- Style: Med-Sweet
- Type: Late Harvest
- Region/Appellation: VQA Niagara Peninsula
A lusciously sweet late-harvest wine with flavours of ripe pear, sweet sultana raisins and comb honey and pin point acid balance. Food
Matches: Rich terrines; foie gras; apple or pear desserts; nut tortes; lemon flan.
2007 Riesling Icewine
- Style: Sweet
- Type: Ice Wine
- Region/Appellation: VQA Niagara Peninsula
A very rich icewine with flavours of ripe pear, dried apricot and sultanna raisins, spicy nuances and a razor-sharp acid balance.
Food Matches: Foie gras; aged cheeses with fresh fruit; nuts and dried fruits; biscotti.
