Category Archives: Best Buys

Recommended wines considering the price, usually under $25, where it’s from, the winery and the varietal.

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Saturday Mar 2020

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  14% Alcohol/Vol.

This light-coloured Cab is a unique Canadian Cab that has complexity & more so when it really opens up. For all that this Cab has to offer without going over 14% alcohol, it  truly is Canadian gem.

Positives: Light purple to garnet in colour, this wine features Bing Cherries, tamarind, blackberries, blueberries, mulberries, cinnamon, cloves, leather, cocoa, black peppers & Harissa.

Interesting Point: A special thanks to the Teaching Winery manager; Chetan, for his customer service to the wine club members. Makes me feel special.

Pairings: Drink now on its own for the next 5-7 years or pair it with foods infused with dark chocolate.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 7, 2020

THE AUDACITY OF THOMAS G. BRIGHT SUSSRESERVE CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until March 1, 2020: $14.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arterra Wines
Alcohol:  14% Alcohol/Vol.

An Ontario Chard that will please those that like oaked Chards that are full body, powerful yet balanced and has complexity. Oh yes, so far haven’t tried a Canadian Chard with all that & at this price!

Positives: Deep gold (you can tell it’s oaked age just by the colour), this wine features lemon tart, Golden apples, pineapple, peach, clementine, vanilla, oak spice, ginger, dill and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2019 /CNW/ – Today, Arterra Wines Canada announced a very special homage to one of its original founders, with the launch of the company’s newest VQA wine The Audacity of Thomas G. Bright. In 1874, a young man named Thomas G. Bright had a bold idea: grow European grapes in Niagara, Ontario. In the face of countless challenges, from the soil conditions to the unique Canadian climate and an army of naysayers, T.G. Bright & Co. – his company – persevered, eventually importing hundreds of types of vines to Canada. His innovation and leadership were fundamental to the development of the Niagara wine industry, and his company eventually became part of the modern-day Arterra Wines Canada. “Anyone who has ever enjoyed a glass of Canadian wine owes a debt to Thomas G. Bright,” explains Andrea Hunt, senior vice president marketing, Arterra Wines Canada.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with lobster bisque.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 22, 2020

LCBO: 11565

LA MOSCOTA EXTRA BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE, NV, Champenoise Method, San Carlos, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

17 Monday Feb 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: San Carlos, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Moscota Vineyards
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex easy drinking dry sparkling with elegance

Positives: Light gold with a rose coloured tinged & fine mousse, this wine features light brioche & yeast, strawberry, cherry, pear and blood orange.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Tasted well in several different Champagne/sparkling wine glassware, which is unique.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with strawberry.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 16, 2020

LCBO: 11806

COLOMBA BIANCA INSOLIA RESILIENCE 2018, DOC Sicilia, Italy

24 Friday Jan 2020

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Insolia
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Sicilia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Colomba Bianca
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

Spring in a bottle

Positives: Straw yellow in colour, this wine features lemon rind, guava, honeydew melon, limestone and orange blossom with honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The grapes are harvested by hand in small baskets and processed quickly to respect the unique characteristics of these grapes, respecting the territorial origins.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Brussels sprouts roasted in lemon and Agave.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: January 24, 2020

LCBO: 10952

CHÂTEAU DE TRÉVIAC CORBIÈRES 2017, AOP Corbières, Languedoc, France

23 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance price: $14.40)
Grape: 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corbières, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Tréviac
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerhouse red, in classic Southern French style, at a great price

Positives: Dark ruby in colour this wine features blackberry, plum, pepper (black & white), thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, leather and Liguria olives.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Coq au Vin.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy and Amazing Buy at sale price

Tasted: January 23, 2020

LCBO: 670505

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE VIOGNIER 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

18 Wednesday Dec 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: $19.15
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

Excellent value for a quality Viognier

Positives: Bright new gold in colour this wine features peach, apricot, honeydew melon, orange rind, nutmeg and peach pit.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Coquilles St. Jacques.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 17, 2019

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

09 Monday Dec 2019

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

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Cost: $18.95
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.

Creamy but with good backbone acidity to this aged Ontario Chard, which is oak driven with tropical fruit is a great value for under $20

Positives: Bright gold in colour this wine features lemon tart, mango, peach, pineapple, golden apple, ginger, dill, oak spice, butterscotch, roasted almonds.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with poulet de bresse,

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 8, 2019

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