This Valentine's Day raise a glass of 2006 Malivoire Chardonnay Musqué to one of history's greatest lovers. If dedicating this wine to a gallant lover we would choose the heroic Marcus Antonius, better known to modern times as Mark Antony. When the Roman Triumvir first spied the legendary Cleopatra (on her barge, dressed as the goddess Venus - do the Valentine's Day connections never end?) he was immediately besotted. History records that the Egyptian queen was beautiful in a very original sense, and that one of her most noteworthy characteristics was a large, exotic nose. If, like Mark Antony, you can't say "no" to a large, exotic nose, have we got a wine for you! Dare to be smitten, and raise a glass - heroically!

This vivacious, platinum-hued wine dances from the glass with intense aromas of cantaloupe, apricot, peach and lilac. The melon and fruit carry through the palate, bolstered by flavours of rhubarb and grapefruit. Our 2006 Musqué is delicately effervescent with a lively acidity that mingles with the trademark sweetness. Martin and Moira's Valentine's Day will include Musqué with mussels in a light curry sauce, filet of pickerel en papillote with a spicy lemon zest-coconut emulsion followed by pineapple up-side-down cake.

This is our first release from the 2006 vintage. As mentioned in our October bulletin, the year was like a schoolchild who works diligently and achieves high marks through the regular term, turning stubborn and sullen at exam time. Heat, sunlight and sufficient rain gave us bountiful, flavourful fruit by early September. Chardonnay Musqué ripens early and these healthy grapes were among the first off the vine, at a time when we were still sure the harvest would become easier. We were wrong, when it was time for the later varitals to come off the vine the weather became cold and rainy but that's a story for a future bulletin.

For more technical details, click here to view our winemaker's notes and other information.

This year's icewine volunteers deserve an extra round of thanks, one for enthusiasm and another for patience.

We were overwhelmed by the eagerness of so many of our friends to join our latest winter harvest. As with all farming we had to wait on the weather, which kept us guessing as to when we would harvest. Finally on the 20th of January the elements co-operated and about forty volunteers answered the call to bring in seven rows' worth of cabernet franc.

Shiraz was delighted with the quality of juice as it came from the press. The results should be in the bottle for release before fall.

Orders can be placed for pick-up or delivery anywhere in Ontario. Shipping is $12.00 plus GST & PST for up to 12 bottles and $16.00 plus GST & PST for 13 bottles or more. We will ship a mixed case.

To place an order, click here to use our email order form or call us Monday to Friday toll-free at 1-866-644-2244. If you have any questions, please call or email us at info@malivoire.com.