VANCOUVER, June 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Wine lovers from coast to coast named Black Sage Vineyard Pipe their favourite wine to enjoy with dessert, during this spring's national wine pairing competition, The Great Canadian Wine Match.
In this annual battle of the bottles, it's wine lovers who nominate and vote for their favourite Canadian wines as pairings in six food categories: cheese, chicken, beef, seafood, pizza and dessert. This sets The Great Canadian Wine Match apart from traditional wine competitions, which are usually judged by wine writers and sommeliers.
North Vancouver oenophile Deborah Podurgiel nominated and "championed" Pipe through the five-week online competition, and wrote in her nomination that the wine "is a dessert in itself with ripe cherry and dark berries on the nose, chocolate, plum, figs, vanilla and a nutty finish on the palate. As a chocoholic, I've tried it with a Madagascar chocolate bark chunked with Madagascar chocolate nibs. It's death by chocolate with a deliciously happy ending!"
A fortified Port-style wine, Pipe is an equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, made from the ripest grapes in the Black Sage vineyard.
"I enjoying making Pipe because it's always the last of the grapes to be brought in," says winemaker Jason James. "The grapes have dehydrated a bit, so they show intense flavour combined with sweetness. Then during the fermentation you need to add the spirits to the fermentation at the right time to balance the alcohol with the remaining residual sugar. I love how the flavours develop over its aging period."
From 40 wines nominated in the "Best Wine with Dessert category," Pipe was named a finalist on May 21 and after voting, declared the first-place Gold winner on June 2.
"A big thanks to Natalie Maclean and her readers," says James. "This 'drinkers' choice' award will help spread the word about what a delicious fortified wine Pipe is."
About Black Sage Vineyard
There is no wine-growing region in the world quite like the Black Sage Bench. Its unique soil composition, high temperatures and vast amounts of light mingle to create an intangible magic known as terroir. Black Sage Vineyard focuses on producing premium bold juicy reds including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Crafted by the experienced hands of winemaker Jason James, this new family of wines proudly showcases what happens when the right vines are planted in the right location.
For more information, and to join the conversation, find us on www.blacksagevineyard.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Image with caption: "Black Sage Vineyard Pipe voted 'Best Wine with Dessert' in Canada (CNW Group/Constellation Brands)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130605_C5423_PHOTO_EN_27569.jpg
SOURCE: Constellation Brands
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