A Guide to Henry of Pelham Wines
Understanding wine labels and terminology can be a daunting task for wine enthusiasts and novices alike. Each bottle tells a story about its origins, quality, and the care taken during its production. Let’s delve into how we categorize our wine at Henry of Pelham by breaking down our three distinct tiers: Classics, Reserve, and Speck Family Reserve, to better understand these labels and the quality they signify.
1. Classic
The Classic tier is the entry point into the world of Henry of Pelham wines. All our Classic wines are designed to be approachable, making them perfect for every day enjoyment. The label on a Classic wine will state the varietal and vintage with no additional tier name added. The Niagara Peninsula is our home and this tier of wines is our clearest expression of the region.
- Grape Variety: Classics wines prominently feature common grape varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, and Baco Noir.
- Flavour Profile: These wines are crafted to highlight the pure expression of the grape, focusing on balance and drinkability.
- Occasion: Ideal for casual gatherings, picnics, or as an introduction to the winery’s style.
2. Reserve
Our Reserve wines represent a step up in terms of complexity and character. These wines are made from specially selected sites where the best of Niagara’s fruit hails from. We train the vines and reduce the yields to create wines of both complexity and pleasure. Unlike the rigid rules in other countries, these are not wines that follow a recipe. Rather, we aim to achieve an elegant fruit forward style that is also expressive of place and time. In general, that means that oak aged white will see 6-10 months in wood, with reds getting closer to 1 year. The decision to age is always based on the character of the vintage’s fruit and not a rigid rule. Reserve means just that; our best wines held back for a special purpose.
- Grape Selection: Made from the best vineyard blocks, where lower yields and careful vine management deliver greater intensity.
- Craftsmanship: These wines typically see more intricate winemaking techniques, with extended aging guided by the character of each vintage. Aging decisions are never formulaic, but tailored to bring out the best in the fruit.
- Flavour & Experience: Fuller-bodied and layered, these wines showcase ripe fruit, refined texture, and complexity that rewards both immediate enjoyment and cellaring
3. Speck Family Reserve
At the pinnacle of Henry of Pelham’s offerings is the Speck Family Reserve. Our vineyards are located in the Short Hills Bench, a sub-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula appellation. The Speck Family Reserve (SFR) wines are the highest expression of our specific vineyards' terroir. From our oldest Estate vineyards, shovel-planted by the Speck Bros. starting in 1984, these wines take advantage of the many unique and defining features of our property. Whatever the practice of the time, we are only concerned with the final result when judging if a vineyards' fruit will contribute to the SFR’s. The label on a Speck Family Reserve bottle signifies exclusivity and exceptional quality.
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- Limited Production: These wines are produced in small quantities, often from the best parcels of the vineyard.
- Aging Potential: They are designed for aging, allowing the flavours to develop and mature over time, offering a rewarding experience for collectors.
- Signature Style: The Speck Family Reserve showcases the winemaker’s artistry and the estate’s commitment to excellence.
Whether you're just beginning your wine journey or looking to deepen your knowledge, recognizing these elements can enrich your tasting experience!
BOOK YOUR OWN EVENT
Birthday party? Bridal shower? Business meeting? Be the host with the most.
Intimate spaces for special occasions
Henry of Pelham offers several spaces for formal and informal events and meetings, with room for up to 30 people. We've helped host anniversaries, office parties, showers, birthdays, annual general meetings and more. Our light-filled ballroom, which is also a beautiful gallery space featuring work from Canadian artists, is a bright venue for daytime events and an elegant room to host evening gatherings. Our barrel cellar is a cool retreat from the summer heat and cozy space for fall and winter events for smaller groups. Catering is available from the Coach House Café.
And with anything from Henry's wine list available to event organizers, the drinks are guaranteed to be crowd-pleasers.
WHEN:
September 25-26, 2017
TIME:
1 -4 p.m.
COST:
1 -4 p.m.
JOIN CLUB HENRY.
A Classic membership gets you complimentary tastings for two on every visit to the winery, 15% off regularly priced non-wine items in our retail store, and advance notice of special release wines, events and contests—all for free! We'll even mail you a membership card.
