Paradise Grapevine, a Toronto-based wine bar, has just recently released 38 cases of their 'Paradise Piquette Blend with Red Plums'.
With an alcohol level of 8.5 per cent, it is a combination of Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc skins, garnished with red plums and blood orange. It's juicy and easy to drink with flavours of peaches, hibiscus and flowers––the wine bar describes it as a 'bit of a delightful swampwater', and is the winemaking equivalent to mixing multiple sodas at the soda fountain. This humble beverage is best served cold, and the perfect wine to bring along for a day at the park.
Piquette is a low-alcohol wine that is produced using the second pressings of grape pomace, which is the leftover solids from the grape, such as skins, pulp, seeds or stems. Water and sugar are added to the grape pomace after they have been pressed. These leftover materials have a lot of flavour inside of them, so by re-fermenting them, all of the elements are extracted.
Although Paradise Grapevine has its own label, they also carry natural wines, beers, ciders, wine spritzers, and non-alcoholic wines from all over the world.
The location of Paradise Grapevine is the former home of a Greek restaurant called Menalon, which was owned by Chris Haralampous. When Menalon was still in business, Haralampous named the back patio 'Paradise Grapevine', after planting a beautiful grapevine in 1985. The vine has two grafts which both ripen at different times.
Christian Davis and Dave Everitt, the new owners who both previously worked at Bar Volo, say they still hear stories about the wonderful nights people had at Menalon's under the grapevine.
Paradise Grapevine is a natural wine bar and winery located at 841 Bloor Street West. They serve snacks, beer, cider, and of course, wine. They offer in-store purchases and curbside pickup, as well as local, same-day delivery if your order is placed before 12 p.m.
