Reported by Maureen Murphy

Over one hundred wine enthusiasts welcomed winemaker Grant Burge to Ottawa at the Le Cordon Bleu Signatures 5 Diamond Restaurant. This highly successful evening was our first joint venture with the Australian Wine Society of Ottawa. It was a ‘walkabout’ evening giving everyone a chance to greet old friends and meet new people while tasting wonderful wine and munching on outstanding canapés prepared by the Le Cordon Bleu chefs to compliment the wines. Some popular ones: air-dried peppered venison, foie gras on a fruit and whiskey compot; crisp shrimp with cilantro; lamb loin served on a potato and chive pancake; tomatoes filled with ratatouille and basil; lobster brandade on green olive bread and vegetarian Vietnamese spring rolls.

Ottawa is not on the regular route for wine makers (pity) so it was a special treat to meet and chat with Grant Burge and his wife Helen who founded the winery in 1988. The winery is based at the historic, Cellar Door, on the banks of Jacobs Creek, in the heart of the Barossa Valley. The award-winning winemaker spoke to us about his winemaking philosophy and love of the Barossa countryside and hung around all evening to answer questions and meet people.

Tasting Notes

Thorn Riesling, 2007, $23
It has wonderful nose including some petrol elements not usually seen in new world wines. Lemon flavours with soft acidity. Summers Chardonnay, 2007, $20 Typical flavours of oak, butter, pear and apple with a bit of tropical notes with a long, long finish.

Cameron Vale Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005, 21.95
This cab was very popular with its cassis, plum and oak/vanilla flavours. It is still a bit closed and young – needs a bit of cellaring to bring out the best of it. Now in stores.

Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004, $55
The nose is somewhat closed with some green pepper but oodles of fruit on the palate. This is the flagship cab for this winery and has consistently scored high ratings. It will be in the November Classics catalogue.

150th Anniversary GSM, 2003, $30.95
This wine proved to be a popular blend, with spicy, herby black berry flavours. Recently released at Vintages. 150th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002, $30.95 This recently released wine had flavours of chocolate, mint, black current with firm tannins.

Miamba Shiraz, 2005, $23.95
A well put together Shiraz that shows great value! Might be worth a look again when released January 30 by Vintages. It had notes of cedar, licorice and blueberry.

Filsell Shiraz, 2005, 35.95
Now available in Ottawa, this popular fruit bomb appealed to many of the wine enthusiasts present that night with cedar, spicy, blackberry/blueberry and tobacco flavours.

Meshach Shiraz, 2002, $89
This wine was a highlight of the evening – it is a superb, an elegant wine that has all one would expect from a premium Shiraz with blackberry, cherry notes and a long finish. Drink 2010 to 2020.

10 Year Old Tawny, $24.95
Great way to end the evening! This Muscat a Petit Grains has complex fruit flavours as well as notes of caramel, dried fruits, spices and nuts. Available now in stores.