Author Archives: Twilight Wines

24 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $25.15
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12% Alcohol/Vol.

True to its namesake, the sparkler is balanced between classic toasted fermentation, fruit, crispness, dryness and acidity

Positives: Golden straw with a slight pink tinge in colour, fine mousse this wine features toasted hazel nuts, brioche, lemon, green apples, pear, blood orange and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I first reviewed Balance Brut in August 2016. I enjoyed it then, but more so today as I feel the wine making it has come of age.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Raspberry Point oysters.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 24, 2019

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $23.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

An aged Chard this is balanced between the oak, fruit & minerality

Positives: Gold in colour, this wine features medium toast, lemon pie, clementine, green & yellow apples, yellow plums, ginger, dill, oak spice, limestone and Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with grilled buttered halibut.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 29, 2019

TOM THOMSON 100th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION ALGONQUIN RED 2018, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $19.15
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Excellent value red from Ontario made in Bordeaux style

Positives: Dark ruby in colour this wine features cherry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, pomegranate, turmeric, green peppers, pencil shavings, leather, spinach leaves

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Current vintage is far superior than the last one.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with grilled T-Bone steak.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 2, 2019

PAUL CLUVER ESTATE ELGIN CHARDONNAY 2017, South Africa

20 Wednesday Nov 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $24.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: South Africa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Paul Cluver
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A high end Chard at a bargain price

Positives: Bright gold in colour featuring light toast with butter, lemon, green & yellow apples, white plum, tangerine, honeydew melon, peach, kumquat, ginger, dill, roasted almonds, vanilla, limestone, cinnamon, cloves, oak spice and honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: South African wines in my view are best value wines you can get

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Chilean sea bass with lemon, dill and capers.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy at sale price and Top Pick

Tasted: November 6, 2019

LCBO: 570952

ANGELS GATE ARCHANGEL BRUT CHARDONNAY BLANC DE BLANC 2013, Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $21.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Angels Gate
Alcohol:  12% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice balance Blanc de Blanc that has some complexity, good acidity, fruit and most importantly, taste good.

Positives: Golden straw in colour with a fine mousse, this wine features light brioche, lemon, kiwi, green apple, and limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with triple cream Brie.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at the clearance price

Tasted: November 17, 2019

LCBO: 227009

CANYON ROAD CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

10 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $9.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General Listing
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Canyon Road
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

An entry Chard that has character, and I really like its creamy texture, but it’s not fat, tropical fruit yet has acidity as backbone and it’s only 13% alcohol. May I stress that it only has 13% alcohol for a California Chard!

Positives: Bright gold in colour featuring pineapple, mango, lemon meringue, yellow plums, yellow apples, crème brûlée, butterscotch, cinnamon and dill.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Canyon Road Winery is located in Alexander Valley, which is one of my favourite AVAs.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with triple cream Brie.

My Opinion: Recommended

Amazing Buy

Tasted: November 9, 2019

LCBO: 552513

SMOKING LOON CHARDONNAY 2017, California, United States of America

06 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Smoking Loon
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An excellent entry level Chard that is simple, yet elegant, and not above 14% alcohol, which is, unfortunately, the norm for California Chards

Positives: Light gold in colour the wine features lemon, pineapple, yellow apple, papaya, green tea and limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 6, 2019

LCBO: 633594

CRÉMANT D’ALSACE BRUT ROSÉ NV, Méthode Traditionelle , Alsace, France

03 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave de Beblenheim
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking sparkling wine with lots of red berry flavours

Positives: Pale salmon in colour with fine mousse this wine features strawberry, red currants and pomegranates.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with baked salmon with garlic and Dijon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 3, 2019

LCBO: 168948

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST PRESIDENT’S RED 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Saturday Nov 2019

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

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Cost: $31.15
Grape: 43% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of Ontario best blended red wines that is fruit forward with complexity & structure

Positives: Deep ruby to purple in colour having medium tannins and featuring blackcurrants, blackberry, plum, fennel, black & white pepper, cloves, vanilla and spinach leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Spent 21 months in French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 8, 2019

G. Marquis The Silver Line Blanc De Blancs Sparkling, Icewine Dosage, NV, Traditional Method, VQA Niagara On The Lake, Ontario

27 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance Price: $20.25)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple sweet sparkling wine due to the icewine dosage

Positives: Yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, this wine features orange, nectarine, peach and yellow plum

Negatives: Too sweet

Ageability: Drink now on its own or add orange juice and make it a Mimosa.

My Opinion: Not recommended

Tasted: October 27, 2019

LCBO: 644617