Winemaker's Notes

At the end of a hot dry growing season, clean, ripe fruit was hand-harvested, then graded and sorted to select the best quality fruit. Fermented in four tonne lots with temperatures reaching 30ºC for 12 hours. After 16 days on the skins, the wine was gently pressed and sent to neutral barrels for malolactic fermentation and nine months of ageing. Bottled on August 23, 2006 under Stelvin® closure. Drink now until 2010.

Food Pairings

This easygoing, enjoyable grape goes very well with food. Serve with antipasto-type starters like cured meats, and semi-hard cheeses. Carries through to all your favourite barbequed meats including burgers (beef or veggie), lamb, ribs and chops. If you want to drink red regardless, the supple tannins make this the red wine to choose for turkey, chicken or fish. A great summer-weight red.

Wine Reviews

Michael Pinkus
"Regular readers will know my weakness in grape varieties ... I love a good Cabernet Franc, I adore Riesling and I'm a big fan of Gamay. Martin Malivoire, owner of this winery, is also a fan of the Gamay grape, that's why he grows it and that's why he insists on making it; he believes it to be one of the grapes Ontario can do very well ... and with a Gamay this good, it's not surprising he thinks that way. A delicious nose of strawberries and cherries makes you want to dive right into the glass - and once you do you'll find the same flavours from the nose and some candied red fruit nuances. This one's light, very enjoyable - and chillable (or not - up to you). A definite summertime red for picnics, sitting by the water or just chillin' out in the backyard."

Tony Aspler
"... deep ruby colour; spicy, black cherry nose; well structured, elegant, fresh and lively with good acidity. Well integrated oak. **** (I agree with Martin Malivoire that this is a sadly neglected variety in Ontario)".

Billy Munnelly
"... my favourite, the 05 Gamay . A red that's good with almost anything, especially in summer. I'd like to see more wineries following Malivoire's lead with Gamay".

Lawrason Mar-08
" ... Malivoire's 2005 Gamay (89 points, $16, available at the winery), which is one of the great little undiscovered gems of Niagara-undiscovered because few drink gamay. It is a revelation, with pepper and strawberry flavours and a slim, refreshing texture that waltzed into the pâté with rhubarb compote." David

John Szabo May 15-08
"Super value here in this ripe classy version of Gamay, spicy red fruit, rhubarb, barely detectable oak (aged in old oak barrels). Dry, light tannins, vibrant acid, moderate + finish -on spicy, peppery notes. Now - 2010". Score 89