Author Archives: Twilight Wines

RIDGEVIEW BLOOMSBURY ENGLISH SPARKLING WINE 2014, Sussex, England

29 Monday Jul 2019

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

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Cost: $50 US
Grape: 58% Chardonnay, 28% Pinot Noir, 14% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: England
Region:Sussex
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ridgeview
Alcohol: 12 % Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful creamy Champagne style from England

Positives: A light golden colour with a fine mousse that features brioche, toasted buttered bread, peach, lemon, kiwi, green & golden apples, honey and macadamia nut cookie

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Beringer Bros. Chardonnay is picked at the peak of flavour development from top sites across California and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with 25% malolactic fermentation. 20% of the wine is aged for 60 days in second-pass charred American Oak barriques, which previously held Bourbon.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10-15 of years on its own or pair it with .

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 25, 2019

BERINGER BROS BOURBON BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2016, California, United States

25 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $26.24 US
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer Brothers
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A unique concept of imparting Bourbon barrel flavour into a Chard, & I’m happy to say it works. Love the Bourbon shape of the bottle & the old style label.

Positives: This wine features a cross between lemon meringue pie & apple pie, with apricots, pineapples, mangos, crème brûlée, vanilla bean, caramel and ginger.

Negatives: A little high with the 14.5% alcohol, but it is well integrated

Interesting Point: Beringer Bros. Chardonnay is picked at the peak of flavour development from top sites across California and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with 25% malolactic fermentation. 20% of the wine is aged for 60 days in second-pass charred American Oak barriques, which previously held Bourbon.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with ginger garlic backed chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 24, 2019

ANGUS THE BULL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, Central Victoria, Australia

16 Tuesday Jul 2019

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Central Victoria
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Aberdeen Wine Company
Alcohol: 14.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy with full flavour & slightly on the sweeter style, but not California sweet

Positives: Dark cherry, plum, raspberry, tamarind, dark chocolate,

Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with a tomahawk steak.

My Opinion: On the fence

Tasted: July 16, 2019

LCBO: 602615

KACABA REBECCA ROSÉ 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Friday Jul 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $18.35
Grape: Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 12.3 % Alcohol/Vol.

This is what a rosé should be; refreshing, dry, juicy, flavourful & easy drinking

Positives: Salmon in colour featuring strawberry, raspberry, white cranberry, pink grapefruit & limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with St. Louis style BBQ pork chops.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 4, 2019

KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2017 VQA, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

03 Wednesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $30.15
Grape: 46% Syrah, 27% Cab Franc, 27% Cab Sauv
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.7 % Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of spice in this baby, which I like

Positives: Wine features red berries, blueberries, cherries, mint, cassis, Star Anise, peppercorn, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves and arugula.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 13 months in French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with any Italian dish with tomato sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 3, 2019

KACABA OAK AGED CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $25.35
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 12.6 % Alcohol/Vol.

A well balanced Canadian Chard that is pleasant to drink

Positives: Bright gold in colour, this wine features lemon tarts, peach, nectarines, pineapples, honeydew melon, vanilla, oak spice, dill and ginger.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 8 months in French wood.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with crab Alfredo.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 29, 2019

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BLANC DE BLANC BRUT 2014, Traditional Method, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Sunday Jun 2019

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

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Cost: $28.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, dry but refreshing with cool climate flavours. Score 95/100. Update August 18, 2020: Double Gold Award & 2020 Sparkling Wine of the Year at the Canadian Sparkling Wine Championships. Congrats to winemaker Gavin Robertson.

Positives: Light gold in colour with a fine mousse that features light brioche, lemon, green apples, pear, grapefruit & dragon fruit.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with baked brie and strawberry jam.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 23, 2019

CHAPEL DOWN CLASSIC NON-VINTAGE BRUT, TRADITIONAL BOTTLE FERMENTED, NV, Tenterden, England

22 Saturday Jun 2019

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

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Cost: $49.00
Grape: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: England
Region: Tenterden
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chapel Down
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant English sparkling wine that is a treat at the LCBO stores now, and worth the price

Positives: Light gold in with a fine mousse that features brioche, buttered toast, fresh baked bread, lemon, red apples, lemon grass, quince, English cucumber, strawberry and rose pedals on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Need to thank my daughter, Sarah, for this wine being my Father’s Day present.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with President Choice Maple flavoured bacon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 22, 2019

LCBO: 635185

RIVAROSE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, IGP Salon De Provence, Mediterranee, Provence, France

22 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 50% Grenache, %50 Syrah
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Salon De Provence, Mediterranee, Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rivarose
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing Provence sparkling rosé that glides easily over the palate

Positives: Rose gold in with a fine mousse that features raspberry, pink grapefruit, nectarine, honey and almond nugget.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established in 1909, Rivarose is situated in Salon De Provence, and is now Provence’s oldest and largest producer in sparkling wines.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with omelette.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 22, 2019

LCBO: 515288

PONGRÁZ CAP CLASSIQUE ROSÉ BRUIT NV, WO Western Cape, South Africa

08 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave de Pongráz
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best  traditional method rosés under $30, & this wine is under $20!. It’s an almost bone dry rosé with wonderful red berries & classic brioche

Positives: Copper in colour with a fine mousse. Wine features brioche, biscuit, raspberries, strawberries, dragon fruit and kiwi.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Original tasting review July 24, 2016

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 8, 2019

LCBO: 646968