GRAY MONK WINERY, LAKE COUNTRY, OKANAGAN VALLEY, BC


On visiting Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC, I fell in love with Gray Monk Winery, so much that I signed myself up for their Club Membership. They ship four times a year, and yes to Ontario for $25 shipping, but if you buy an addition 6, the shipping is free. What I really like about their membership is that you have options on what wines you want versus what the winery wants to get rid of. In addition, you get 15% of wines, merchandise and at the restaurant. Rob (retired from Ontario and moved to BC) was great in serving Lisa and myself wines. Thanks also to Tony for hooking us up with Rob.

The record-breaking “polar vortex” of January 2024 was devastating for the entire Okanagan region, and Gray Monk Estate Winery was not immune. They lost their entire Pinot Gris vines, which now they import from Washington State. Winemaker Jen Oishi has done an excellent job producing a quality Pinot Gris wine.

An interesting wine, in a good way, even Lisa liked that, and that’s saying a lot, is Siegerrebe. Siegerrebe is a white grape variety that originated in Germany in 1929 through the crossing of Gewürztraminer and Madeleine Angevine. Known for its early ripening nature, Siegerrebe is among the first grape varieties to be harvested during the season.

d’ARENBERG THE OLIVE GROVE CHARDONNAY 2024, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Australia


Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 ml
Producer: d’Arenberg
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice balanced Chard between fruits, spiciness & oak. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, ginger, pitahaya, honey & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Small batches of grapes are gently crushed, chilled and then basket pressed. To add complexity and mouthfeel the wine is fermented and matured in French oak for seven months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Salt n Pepper wings.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 10, 2026

LCBO: 702845

MISSION HILL FAMILY RESERVE MERITAGE 2021 VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada


Cost: $32.95
Grape: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, BC
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

The high alcohol overwhelms any fruit. Score: 85/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, bramble fruit, spinach, Allspice, pencil shavings & wet stone.

Negatives: High alcohol

Interesting Point: If you leave your glass with the wine open for an hour, the fruit starts to come out.

Pairings: Drink this now or 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with smoked pork back ribs.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: April 8, 2026

LCBO: 633628

MATISCO VIRÉ-CLESSÉ 2023, AOC Viré-Clessé


Cost: $28.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy, Mâconnais, Viré-Clessé
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Maison Matisco
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex Chard, well balanced with juicy fruits, good acidity & spicy notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light clear gold in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, kumquat, dill, ginger, honeycomb, oak spice & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic

Pairings: Drink this now or 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 7, 2026

LCBO: 43890

KIM CRAWFORD CHARDONNAY, 2024 New Zealand


Cost: $20.95 (sale price until April 7, 2026: $16.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kim Crawford
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Always reliable, good value Chard, light crisp & always reliable to give a nice balance. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light clear gold in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, yellow cranberry, pear, ginger & dill.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Great price with $4 off

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with General Taos Chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 6, 2026

LCBO: 991950

PRUGNETO SANGIOVESE SUPERIOR 2023, Romagna DOC Superiore, Italy


Cost: $19.95 (sale price until April 26, 2026: $16.95)
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Romagna DOC Superiore
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Poderi dal Nespoli,
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice change to have a quality Sangiovese outside Tuscany. Wine shows nice spice & sour fruits. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with high acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, cranberry, blackberry, blackcurrants, arugula, cloves, black tea, leather & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use Burgundy style glassware as it will soften the wine.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 4, 2026

LCBO: 31809

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD VIOGNIER 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada


Cost: $29.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

I think the technical term is: “Yummy”. Best Canadian Viognier that I have tasted. Full body, rich, oily, expressive, juicy & spicy. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Bright deep gold in colour with low acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Peach, peach pit, apricot, ginger, Chinese 5 Spice, vanilla & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Harvested October 9th 2020 from the estate vineyard. Fermented and aged in neutral in French Oak barrels for 9 months before a careful barrel selection determined this final blend of 180 cases.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Dungeness Crab.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 19, 2026

PELEE ISLAND WINERY BACO NOIR NV, VQA Ontario, Canada


Cost: $14.95 (Sale price until March 29, 2026: $12.95)
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy & spicy Baco that’s nicely priced for the quality. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackcurrants, sour cherry, rhubarb, plum, clove, Allspice & peat moss on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable & Vegan

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 9, 2026

LCBO: 485128

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR ESTATE BOTTLED 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada


Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Burgundian style Pinot with sour fruit, earthiness & smokiness. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rhubarb, sour cherries, strawberries, cranberries, pickled beets, oyster mushrooms, peat moss & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill to 15C and use a balloon style glassware.

Winemaker’s Note: “Fruit was cold soaked for 3 days, followed by small batch fermentation & 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels & puncheons.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with escargot.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 8, 2026

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


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