winery winedown: Nyarai Cellers

I had the opportunity to attend a virtual winemakers lunch yesterday, Celebrating Black Voices in Ontario Food and Wine. Unfortunately, due to allergies, I was unable to enjoy the food, although it looked and sounded delish, but I was able to enjoy the two wines featured from Nyarai Cellars.

Nyarai Cellars is a "virtual winery" created in 2008 by Steve Byfield and his business partner. Since being a "virtual winery", Nyarai does not own their own vineyards or a physical winery, and instead sources the majority of their grapes from vineyards around the Niagara Peninsula, here in Ontario. Nyarai focuses on a minimalistic winemaking approach allowing the full expression of varietal character, purity of fruit, and balance in the final product to be the star of the show. Currently their wines are available for purchase for Ontario residents through their website.

Let's Taste

🍷 2019 Folklore ($22.95)

👩‍🔬 L'Acadie Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer

👀 Med(-) Gold

👃/👄 Tart. Apple, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Orange Peel, Honey, Floral, Nutty, White Pepper

🏠 Med(+) Acidity. Frothy and Creamy Mouthfeel

🍇 Some Lees Aging

🍷 2014 Cadence ($20.95)

👩‍🔬 Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), Cabernet Franc (26%), Merlot (9%), Malbec (2%)

👀 Med Ruby

👃/👄 Ripe. Strawberry, Roasted Green Pepper, Tomato Leaf, Sweet Tobacco, Baking Spice

🏠 Med(+) Acid, Tannin, Body, and Alcohol. Med(+) to Long Finish

🍇 1 Year in Stainless Tanks, followed by 18 Months in 4/5 Year Old Barrels

Let's Taste Legend

🍷 Wine/👩‍🔬 Blend/👀 Visual/👃 Olfactory/👄 Palate/🏠 Structure/🍇 Winemaking

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