Wines in Niagara shines spotlight on Versado

(Image: Rick VanSickle)Niagara-based wine writer Rick VanSickle reports on the February 5, 2022 release of two Versado Malbecs in the LCBO Vintages system, and comments on the Niagara connection to these wines - the winemakers, Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble. 

"The CVs for these two gifted Canadian wine industry stalwarts run deep, but briefly: Sperling is the winemaker at Southbrook Vineyards in Niagara and at her family’s Sperling Vineyards in the Okanagan. Gamble is an accomplished wine consultant with deep roots and achievements in the Canadian wine industry (including founding Executive Director of VQA) and presently is the consulting winemaker at On Seven Estate Winery in Niagara and many other projects in Canada. Together they are co-proprietors of Versado, their Argentine venture in Mendoza wine country, making exciting and nuanced Malbecs from a vineyard and villa near the old town of Chacras de Coria that they purchased in 2007."

Rick goes on to explain the tiers and where each is available:  

''The small-lot wines from Versado — made in three tiers from the regular Malbec to Reserva to the Old Vine bottlings — are extraordinary wines quite unlike most everyday Malbecs from Argentina you find at Vintages stores.

"Two of the tiers — the top reserve and the estate bottling — are being offered in the Vintages release on Saturday, Feb. 5, while the Old Vines is being offered through Cru Wine Merchants. It’s the first (time), in my recollection, that three Versado wines have been available at once in Ontario.

"It’s highly recommended that you seek these wines out on Saturday as they represent the best of the best from Argentine Malbec."

Rick's reviews and scores are given on each wine's own page but right here we'll list that the Versado Reserva received at 93 score, and the Versado Malbec a 91! 

Winemaker Ann Sperling named 2021 Riedel Winemaker of the Year

and recipient of Cambridge Food & Wine Society’s Award

-- Celebrated Canadian winemaker in British Columbia, Ontario and Mendoza recognized for fine wine production on global stage --

Versado Wines is proud to announce that Ann Sperling has been named Winemaker of the Year 2021 by the prestigious Cambridge Food & Wine Society and is the recipient of the coveted RIEDEL Award. 

The Society recognizes achievements made in the global wine industry and the creation of fine wines around the world and has in the past recognized such luminaries as Robert Mondavi, Miguel Torres, Lamberto Marchesi de Frescobaldi, Eduardo Chadwick and Sandro Bottega, among others. Ann Sperling’s wines, including Southbrook Vineyards’ Poetica and Estate series, and those of Sperling Vineyards in the Okanagan and her iconic Versado wines in Mendoza, Argentina are considered by international wine writers to be among the finest in their respective regions and are widely acknowledged on the world stage. Ms. Sperling has consistently been one of the most enthusiastic promoters of Canada’s wine industry, is a pioneer of organic and biodynamic wine production and has helped achieve international recognition for the country around the world. 

The Cambridge Food and Wine Society of Canada is an organization co-founded in 1998 by Professors Leo Chan and Gian Paolo Michelini. This year’s award was formally announced and accompanied by comments from Laetizia Riedel of the illustrious Austrian wine glass manufacturer recognizing Ann for her commitment and passion, honouring “nature and soil surrounding the vines.” Impressively, and acknowledging Ann’s love of animals and horses, RIEDEL honoured the winemaker with an intricate decanter featuring a hand-blown horse head and the inscription “Riedel Award 2021.”

 “It’s an honour to receive this important award,” said Ann Sperling. “In our relentless pursuit of great winemaking, we have learned the high value and relevance of organic and biodynamic viticulture, and this has instilled in us a deep respect for the soil, water and ecosystems upon which great wine, and our planet, relies. I am delighted to be recognized for these efforts.”

Upon hearing of the honour, Tony Aspler had this to say: “I think I can speak for the entire Canadian wine industry - and especially your colleagues in Niagara - when I offer hearty congratulations for having been awarded the Cambridge Food & Wine Society's Riedel Award as Winemaker of the Year for 2021… You are, indeed, a worthy recipient for the example you have set in protecting the land both in BC and Ontario that produces your fine wines vintage after vintage.”

A woman rooted in the land

Considered a leading force in the Canadian movement to organic and biodynamic fine winemaking, Ann has over three decades of experience in winegrowing, winemaking and consulting for successful winery start-ups. She prefers to think of herself as a “winegrower” instead of a winemaker. Her vineyard-centric ideology is passionately applied to every facet of her winemaking philosophy, including organic grape-growing practices, and gentle handling in the winery. Ann’s roots are deeply embedded in the terroir of winegrowing. Raised on a family vineyard in Kelowna, BC, Ann began early on recognizing, developing and appreciating the fine balance within the characteristics of the fruit and its effects on wine.

For additional information or visuals, or to arrange an interview, in-studio segment or one-on-one wine tasting with Ann Sperling, please contact:  Ann@sperlingvineyards.com or (905) 380-9095.

Buy Versado, support CF

From May 5th to May 8th, be sure to check out the Decant Fine Wine Auction in support of Cystic Fibrosis. This small, eclectic gathering of wines from around the world will be up for bidding in the days leading up to CF's Decant Gala - An Evening From Home event.

Iron Gate Auctions is partnering with Cystic Fibrosis Toronto to raise funds for this great cause - and there are seven lots we’d specifically like to draw your attention to:  three and six bottle lots of 2010 Versado Reserva Malbec, and three and six bottle lots of 2015 Versado Malbec.

Register for Iron Gate auctions here, then bid early and often!

Celebrating Malbec World Day with the launch of our new Instagram account

Today, April 17, marks Malbec World Day and what better day to launch our new Instagram account! We'll be featuring photos and stories of our passion project, along with reviews, and updates straight from Mendoza. Follow us at @versadowine. 

Natalie Maclean talks Malbec on CTV

Wine personality Natalie Maclean celebrates Malbec World Day on CTV Ottawa and features our Malbec Reserva as her "splurge wine." (She says awfully nice things about Ann too!)  Watch here.