QUEEN BEE BLANC DE NOIRS, 2018, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Monday Feb 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $34.95 LCBO, $32.98 Costco, $30.95 Winery
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages, Costco, Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Lakeview Wine Co.
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality dry, traditional method sparkling wine at a good price. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light cooper in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, MacIntosh apples, white cranberry, blackberry, fennel, roasted almonds & orange zest.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Add a blackberry to your glass with the sparkling wine. You hopefully will enjoy how it taste.

Winemaker’s Note: “Gently whole bunch pressed to avoid colour and tannin extraction. Primary fermentation in stainless steel at relatively cool temperatures, and then triaged six months later for second fermentation in bottle. On lees for over 48 months before being disgorged.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Duck Risotto.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 22, 2026

LCBO: 45580

FAMILLE PERRIN LES SINARDS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2023, AOC Côte du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

18 Wednesday Feb 2026

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $43.95 (Sale Price until March 1, 2026: $40.95)
Grape: Mostly Grenache with Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côte du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Famille Perrin
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A less expensive Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but you don’t lose the quality found in more expensive ones. Eloquent with a silky finish. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Dark garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, wild strawberries, plums, brambleberry, cocoa, arugula, wild mushrooms, leather, vanilla & violets with light amber smoked notes on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Les Sinards is made from young vines (under 20 years old) at Beaucastel and two neighbouring vineyards.”

Winemaker’s Note: “From the month of August onwards we carry out maturity checks and taste the berries regularly to determine the optimum harvest date. Each grape variety is harvested separately. On arrival at the cellar the berries are sorted. Part of the Syrah is vinified in whole clusters and the remainder, plus the Grenache, is destemmed. Vinification is in wooden and stainless-steel vats using the same methods as for the Château de Beaucastel wines. The wines are then tasted to determine the blend, and finally aged in foudres for 2 years.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 8 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Spiced Duck Breast.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 17, 2026

LCBO:  926626

RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2023, Stellenbosch, South Africa

12 Thursday Feb 2026

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Organic/Sustainability, Vegan Friendly, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: 16.00)
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Radford Dale
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice substitute for a subtle oaked Chard, featuring nice, crisp fruit, along with a creamy finish. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pear, white peach, honeydew melon, honeycomb & Jasmine on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable & Vegan

Winemaker’s Note: “Grapes were picked by hand as well as manually sorted to ensure that we maintain the purity of varietal expression for which this wine
has become known. Gentle pressing in a pneumatic bag press, with the extracted juice moved to a combination of 2500L Foudre, 500L, 300L, and 228L barrels for alcoholic fermentation. The barrels used are predominantly 2nd to 5th fill French oak, of Burgundian cooperages. Whilst the Foudre is of tight-grain, Austrian origin. The usage of unintrusive oaking promotes optimal varietal expression.” (A foudre is a large wooden vat, typically holding 20 to 120+ hectoliters (2,000 to 12,000+ liters), used for aging wine with minimal oak influence.)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with roasted turkey.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 9, 2026

LCBO:  13338

CONO SUR ORGANIC CHARDONNAY 2025, Chile

07 Saturday Feb 2026

Posted by in Best Buys, Organic/Sustainability, Recommended, Vegan Friendly, White Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Chile
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cono Sur
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

For a relatively inexpensive oaked Chard, which has more neutral oak, this Chard has good zesty fruit. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with high acidity, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pear, golden apple, yellow cranberry, Kumquat, honeydew melon &vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan and Organic

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with scallop ceviche.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 5, 2026

LCBO:  230565

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD 2018 BLANC DE BLANC, Traditional Method, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

28 Sunday Dec 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $49.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body with elegance. So far, the best Canadian vintage Blanc de Blanc I’ve tasted. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, yeast, lemon meringue, green apples, Quince, clementine, toasted almonds, buttered toast, honeycomb & yellow flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “100% chardonnay harvested from the Estate vineyard September 9, 2018. Primary fermentation was conducted at cooler temperatures in stainless steel to preserve delicate fruit flavours. Triage bottling for secondary fermentation on March 14, 2019, then left for on the lees in bottle for over 50 months to create complexity and luxurious character.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 8 years on its own or pair it with brunch.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 28, 2025

NIAGARA TEACHING WINERY COMMENCEMENT BRUT SPARKLING WINE, NV, Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Saturday Dec 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Vidal
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Not worth it.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pear & orange pith.

Negatives: Plain with slight bitterness

Interesting Point: Taste was very plain with a slight bitterness. Only way this wine is palatable is in a mimosa. However, there are a lot better sparkling wines at a better price to do that.

Winemaker’s Note: “The wine was produced using Cuve Closed Method, completing its secondary fermentation in tank, then bottled under pressure to maintain the natural effervescence.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 3 years and mix it with orange juice or any other juice.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: December 20, 2025

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE PINOT NOIR 2021, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Tuesday Dec 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Organic/Sustainability, Red Wines, Vegan Friendly

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant, juicy Pinot that pairs well with food or on its own. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, fine tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry & red currants.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic & vegan

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand-harvested clusters were destemmed prior to undergoing a wild ferment in open-top oak fermenter. After pressing, the wine was transferred to second-fill and neutral French oak barrels to preserve freshness and then aged eight months before bottling.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with duck breast.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 8, 2025

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2024, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

25 Tuesday Nov 2025

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rose Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp clean rosé with a nice flavour profile. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright copper in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry & red currants.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “100% Pinot noir, immediately pressed, left on the grape skins for 3.5 hours, fermented in stainless steel.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with chili.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 24, 2025

QUEENSTON MILE SPARKLING PINOT NOIR, Pétillant Naturel – Ancestral Method, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Monday Nov 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting, but in a good way. A rustic style sparkling. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Cloudy bloody Mary in colour with good acidity, low intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, rhubarb, Fuji apple, strawberry, Oyster mushrooms

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t disturb the sediment in the bottle before opening as if you do (and I did), it will uncontrollably bubble over.

Winemaker’s Note: “100% Pinot noir harvested September 22nd 2020 from Estate Vineyard. Bottled during wild fermentation on October 14th 2020. This wine was left unfiltered on its lees for extended ageing in bottle.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Escargot.

My Opinion: Recommended

November 16, 2025

KIN VINEYARDS CARP RIDGE CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Ontario, Canada

16 Sunday Nov 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kin Vineyards, Non LCBO Wine, Organic/Sustainability, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $32.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Cap Ridge, Ottawa, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kin Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Versatile Chard made mostly in neutral oak. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, Kumquat, golden apples, pineapple, pear, peach, dill & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Taste better in the oak style chard glass vs the Chablis style ones.

Winemaker’s Note: “Carp Ridge Chardonnay grapes, grown organically as well as biodynamically, were harvested with rigorous selection and sorting, over three days. After gentle pressing and cool settling, the juice was transferred to French Oak Burgundy format cooperage for indigenous fermentation and malolactic conversion over 5 months. Oak profile is 3% New Oak, 85% Neutral Oak and 12% Stainless Steel. Total elevage of 9 months with biweekly battonage for 4 months. Following barrel blending, light bentonite fining and cold stabilization, the wine was bottled with minimal filtration.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Coquilles Saint-Jacques.

My Opinion: Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 15, 2025