Taste the Fruits of Our Labour

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Queens Park Official Tasting Results
Friday, June 12, 2009
Taste the Fruits of Our Labour
Queen’s Park Selects 3 Ontario Fruit Wines for Legislative Use
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 – Official Queen’s Park Tasting – Once again Fruit Wines of Ontario
will proudly take a seat in the house after the second annual Queen’s Park tasting. Following last year’s
success, three fruit wines will be served in the Legislative Dining Room with opportunity for additional
sales at Queen’s Park to be considered. Fruit Wines of Ontario recognizes the support of the Legislative
Assembly, and are thrilled with the results from the June 2nd tasting.
"Showcasing Ontario products is an initiative of mine as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario"
Speaker Peters said "Ontario Fruit wines are made from 100% Ontario fruit and are a great alternative to
wine typically made from grapes. By holding events such as the Fruit Wine Tasting and Selection event,
Members, staff, and guests to the Legislature have the opportunity to taste a quality product made right
here in Ontario."
Jim Warren, the Executive Director of Fruit Wines of Ontario, began the judging process with a
pre-tasting in early May 2009. This year more than 40 fruit wines, were remarkably narrowed down to
only 18 top-quality contestants. Qualifying wines were presented at Queen’s Park for an official tasting on
Tuesday, June 2nd between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Praise was abundant and as the tasting occurred
comments ranging from “amazing” to “wonderful quality” were overheard. The 18 wines made from
Ontario black raspberries, blueberries, apples, blackcurrants, and other fruits, had three categories in
which to compete: Sparkling Wine, Table Wine and Sweet Wine. Tasters voted by ballot for their
favourite wine in each category. This year’s winners are:
Sparkling Wine: Archibald Orchards and Estate Winery, Hard Cider
Table Wine: Scotch Block Country Winery, Black Raspberry
Sweet Wine: Applewood Farm Winery, Iced Cider
Ontario Fruit Wines are deliciously crafted with 100% Ontario fruit. Harvesting Ontario’s finest apples,
pears, blackcurrants, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and more, our wines are a true
reflection of Ontario’s vast wealth of flavour. As varied as the land from which they come from, Ontario
fruit wines are available as table wines, sparkling refreshers, ciders and dessert wines. As Ontario’s peak
growing season approaches and our farmers and winemakers get ready for a new harvest, we hope that
you will take the time to taste the fruits of our labour and enjoy some of Ontario’s finest fruit wines.
Fruit Wines of Ontario – Discover a New World of Wine
Participating Wineries
Archibald Orchards and Estate Winery
Applewood Farm Winery
Countryman’s Estate Winery
Cox Creek Cellars
Downey’s Winery
Kawartha Country Wine
Moon Shadows Winery
Contacts:
Maggie Head, Executive Assistant
Office of the Speaker
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Tel: 416-325-7435
[email protected]
Patricia Crease, Public Relations
The Forefront Communications Network Inc.
1698 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON M5M 3Y4
Tel: 416-398-3335 Ext. 3 | Fax: 416-398-6630
[email protected] | www.forefrontcom.com
Jim Warren, Executive Director
Fruit Wines of Ontario
9 Crozier Court, Hamilton, ON L8T 2V8
Tel: 905-383-3982 | Fax: 905-383-9536
[email protected] | www.fruitwinesofontario.ca
Munro Meadery
Muskoka Lakes Winery
Pine Farms Cyder & Fruit Winery
Rush Creek Wines Ltd.
Scotch Block Country Winery
Sunnybrook Farm Winery