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 COLLEGE ROSÉ 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Sunday Jun 2019

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

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Cost: $14.15
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured, crisp Rosé with a great price & quality that makes this a top Canadian Rosé

Positives: Pomegranate in colour this wine features Bing cherries, strawberries, Fuji apples, cranberries with roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick, Best Buy & Amazing Pick

Tasted: May 27, 2019

ANTECH-LIMOUX EXPRESSION CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX BRUT 2015, Traditional Method, AC Limoux, Languedoc, France

02 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Mauzac
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Limoux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Antech-Limoux
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

This pleasant vintage Blanc de Blanc is complex, creamy, fresh & clean

Positives: Light gold a green tinge with a fine mousse. Wine features light yeast, brioche, lemon-lime, honeydew melon, green apples, Spy Apple & Napoleon Custard.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 2, 2019

LCBO: 68239

CAVE SPRINGS ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Saturday Apr 2019

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $14.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Springs
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a complex wine, but very delightful Canadian Chard with eloquence & it’s under $20

Positives: Bright gold in colour featuring lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, ginger and dill.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with lobster Alfredo.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the Clearance Price

Tasted: April 27, 2019

LCBO: 256552

SEGURA VIUDA BRUT RESERVA CAVA, NV, DO Cava, Spain

07 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Segura Viudas
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Fruit, freshness & complexity

Positives: Bright gold in colour with a fine mousse and a long creamy finish. The wine features toasty yeasty notes with lemon, green & yellow apples, pineapple, kiwi, pear, peach and macadamia nuts.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 7, 2019

LCBO: 216960

QUAILS’ GATE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

04 Thursday Apr 2019

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

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $20.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quails’ Gate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic oaked Chard that delivers balance, complexity with tropical fruit, spice & oh yes, it’s delicious

Positives: Bright gold in colour with a long finish that features toasted oak, lemon, peach, pineapple, coconut pie, clove, cinnamon, oak spice, dill, ginger, and on the nose smoked amber and Easter Lily.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I first tried Quails’ Gate Chardonnay in 2006 when a co-worker brought it for me from BC. At the time the LCBO had only a pittance of BC wines. This wine was amazing, so when it hit the LCBO stores some years later I was excited only to be disappointed. The wine was thin and not impressive. Quails’ Gate Chard is now a regular at Vintages, but I was sceptical to try it again. However, it was on clearance so I decided to try it. Glad I did. Restored my faith in this wineries Chard.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: April 4, 2019

LCBO: 377770

BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE, NV, DOCG Valdobbiadene, Treviso, Veneto, Italy

02 Tuesday Apr 2019

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

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $17.60)
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Valdobbiadene, Treviso, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bellusi
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This easy drinking Prosecco delivers with full flavour and some added complexity

Positives: Bright straw in colour with a fine mousse and a long finish. Wine features peach, pear, orange, green apples, lemon, yellow plum and clay on the finish.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The Valdobbiadene area is widely considered to be the home of the finest quality Prosecco.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 2-4 years on its own or pair it with Grana Padano cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: April 2, 2019

LCBO: 53215

THE TEACHING WINERY LES MARMITONS: GASTRONOMY FUMÉ BLANC 2017, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

11 Monday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $23.15
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Wine
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a quality Fumé Blanc from Nièvre from the Loire Valley in France, but wait it’s not, it’s from the teaching winery at Niagara College. Well done!

Positives: Light yellow with a green tinge in colour. This wine features fresh cut grass, lemon/lime, pink grapefruit, guava, dragon fruit, flint, cloves and light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: March 11, 2019

JACQUES BRUÉRE BON COURAGE ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE, 2011, Bottled Fermented Brut, Roberston, South Africa

10 Sunday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Roberston
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bon Courage Estate
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A Blanc de Noir sparkling wine that’s is elegant, delicious with flavours nicely integrating with it each other and having good acidity

Positives: Cooper in colour with fine mousse. Wine features light toast, brioche, strawberry, cherry, pink grapefruit and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1) I bought the wine because I liked the bottle & label; very elegant 2) On the label it list grapes Pinot Noir & Chardonnay, however on the wineries web site, and on the LCBO site, only grape used is Pinot Noir.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with seafood based canapés.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: March 10, 2019

LCBO: 630855

NOMAD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $23.95 (Clearance price: $19.20)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hinterbrook Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Canadian Cab that is full body, rich, smooth, easy drinking & all under 13% alcohol

Positives: Wine features dark cherry, blackberry, blackcurrants, mulberry, tamarind, mocha, vanilla and light smoked amber on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I bought this wine because I liked the drawing of the Great White Owl on its label. Glad the wine was good too.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with red wine pot roast.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: March 9, 2019

LCBO: 581132

MARYNISSEN ESTATES CHARDONAY 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marynissen Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, silky, smoky along with tropical fruits makes this oaked Chard a beautiful thing

Positives: The oak is nicely balanced in this full body Chard that features lemon, apples (green, golden & Spy), mango, pineapple, meringue, coconut, oak spice and smoked oak with white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with scallops in pasta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 2, 2019