GRAY MONK ODYSSEY ROSÉ BRUT MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE 2023 VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

23 Thursday Jul 2026

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Gray Monk Winery, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $29.00
Grape: 55% Gamay Noir and 45% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, BC
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gray Monk Winery
Alcohol: 11.2% Alcohol/Vol.

This versatile dry brut rosé is simply eloquent. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, low to medium intensity on the nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, cherry, rhubarb, pink grapefruit & brioche.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The base wine underwent a traditional second fermentation in bottle and was aged sur lie for 24 months to enhance texture and complexity. After aging, it was disgorged and finished with a proprietary dosage to achieve a precise balance of acidity and subtle sweetness.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Charcuterie Board.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 19, 2026

GRAY MONK PINOT GRIS ODYSSEY SERIES 2024, VQA Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

04 Saturday Jul 2026

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Gray Monk Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $33.00
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gray Monk Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, clean wine that is an excellent substitute for a high-end Sauvignon Blanc. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, kumquat, lemon, pear, dragon fruit, wet stone

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Pinot Gris grapes were hand-picked from our Estate Vineyard (Block 8) from some of the oldest vines in British Columbia (approximately 40 years old). The grapes were gently pressed, then the juice fermented in stainless steel tanks for pure fruit expression, and aged in 2,000L French oak foudre for 6 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with lightly breaded pan-fried fresh-water fish with buttered new potatoes.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 3, 2026

GRAY MONK ODYSSEY CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA British Columbia, Canada

24 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Gray Monk Winery, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $33.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: British Columbia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gray Monk Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Top tier Chard that is exquisite, elegant & complexed. Wine features nice balance between oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, peach, green & yellow apples, green mango, Haden mangos, butterscotch, ginger, dill, oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: In order to bring out everything this wine has to offer, don’t overchill and use the larger Chard style glassware.

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes come from select vineyards in Kelowna and Osoyoos regions of the Okanagan Valley, and from the Similkameen Valley, allowing for unique Chardonnay characteristics from each terroir. 50% of the wine was fermented and aged in new French oak barrels for 3 months, with battonage (lees stirring), and underwent a full malolactic fermentation to soften the acidity. 50% of the wine was aged in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation for a more refreshing fruit forward style. This first vintage of the Odyssey Chardonnay was blended, allowed to rest, then bottled in small production of 524 cases.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass in butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 22, 2026

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

19 Friday Jun 2026

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

NC best Dean’s List Chardonnay to date featuring a balance between the oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, peach, green apples, butterscotch, ginger, dill & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “This Chardonnay for the St. David’s Bench was aged in a combination of new and neutral French oak to balance the freshness of the fruit and the softness of the barrel.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 18, 2026

RAIMAT ABADIA TEMPRANILLO CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ 2024, DO Costers Del Segre, Spain

12 Friday Jun 2026

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Organic/Sustainability, Recommended, Rosés, Vegan Friendly

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Cost: $22.50
Grape: Tempranillo & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Rosé Wine
Location Bought: The Small Wine Makers Collection
Country: Spain
Region: Costers Del Segre
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Raimat
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Dry, versatile, pleasant drinking rosé. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberries, pink grapefruit,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan & Organic

Winemaker’s Note: “Abadía represents the essence of Raimat and is the oldest wine brand in the Costers del Segre Designation of Origin.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with a variety of Tapas.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 11, 2026

RIDGE ROAD ESTATE WINERY CHARDONNAY 2024, VQA Ontario, Canada

08 Monday Jun 2026

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ridge Road Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, easy to drink, nice citric & tropical notes while not being overtly oaked. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, low to medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, Pitahaya, cantaloupe, Fuji apples, ginger & light oak spice.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Fermented in stainless steel and 50% was aged with French oak.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with chicken breast.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 6, 2026

HÃHÃ HAWKE’S BAY CHARDONNAY 2024, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

30 Saturday May 2026

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 ml
Producer: HãHã
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking, smooth, creamy with tropical fruits. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, lemon meringue, peach, pear, kumquat, golden apple, ginger, honeycomb & light oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill it.

Winemaker’s Note: “Following harvest the grapes were gently pressed on
arrival to the winery. The juice was cold settled before being inoculated with selected yeast for fermentation. The wine was aged on full lees and French oak and went through 50% malolactic fermentation in spring prior to blending, filtering and bottling.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with creamy seafood pasta dishes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: May 27, 2026

LCBO: 10020

GRAY MONK ODYSSEY TRADITIONAL BRUT 2021, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

24 Sunday May 2026

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Gray Monk Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: 34% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, 32% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gray Monk Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Best valued vintage Champagne style wine that I have tasted to date. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, yeast, lemon, Anjou pear, green & red apples, peach & buttered toast.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or 8 – 10 years on its own or pair it with ocean East Coast Oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 24, 2026

RABBIT RANCH CHARDONNAY SUR LIE 2023, Central Otago, New Zealand

17 Sunday May 2026

Posted by Twilight Wines in On The Fence, Vegan Friendly, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rabbit Ranch
Alcohol: 12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Light and crisp with minimal oak intervention. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear & pitahaya

Negatives: Price

Interesting Point: Vegan

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 – 5 years on its own or pair it with BBQ chicken thighs.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: May 15, 2026

LCBO: 48077

COUNTRY VINE WINERY, Richmond BC, Canada

16 Saturday May 2026

Posted by Twilight Wines in Country Vine Winery, Winery Review Series

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I was staying in Richmond BC and noticed an interesting family-owned winery. The building was not conspicuous, and they had a large outdoor seating. There’s a pet farm beside them with three cows, two of which (milk cows) are huge.

On May 11, 2026, Lisa and I decided to explore the winery. We were greeted by Louis, a beautiful, friendly, black lab that belongs to Emi, the staff member that was giving us wine tastings and we also had some wine in the outdoor area.

The house is the original home of Suzie who grew up there. The Estate wines all come from the vineyards in the back, and their other wines come from the Okanagan Valley.

Lisa’s two favourite wines were their Estate Siegerrebe 2024, and “Suzie-O” Riesling from Okanagan Valley, while I chose their smoky “Hot Pursuit” Merlot 2021 from Okanagan Valley. Why the smoky notes? It was as a result from the fires that engulfed the Valley that year.