2012 was a “really awesome year” for Forbidden Fruit Winery, according to owner Steve Venables. “We released our first mystery wine, ranked the Peoples Choice #1 Winery to Visit, and we picked up 30 medals.” Among those medals were two Double-Gold at the All Canadian Wine Championships for the Pearsuasion (made with 90% Asian pears) and the Earth Series Sauvignon Blanc, a hauntingly aromatic take on this variety that any fan of Sauvignon Blanc must try.
New releases this year will include two new Earth Series wines. The Pinot Gris will be released this spring and a Meritage is due out later in the year. That will bring the total of Earth Series wines to six in total. As with all Earth Series wines, partial proceeds are donated to causes that support the sustainability of life on earth.
Like last year, there will also be a Mystery Wine. And like last year, proprietor Venables is extremely tight-lipped about what it is. Last year’s mystery wine, the Plum Noir, was a huge success, which sadly will not be repeated this year due to short crop of plums. The new mystery wine will be released during a two day open house where all of the newly released wines will be paired with exotic cheeses.
Along with the collection of wines, Kim Brind’Amour has been working hard on her 2013 collection of art to be available in the wine shop for the new season. Stop into the wine shop on your next trip!
~ Luke Whittall