Monthly Archives: December 2025

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