Category Archives: Best Buys

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

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

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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

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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

VIÑA REAL CRIANZA 2014, DOC Rioja, Spain

24 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuela, Graciano & Garnacha
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas C.V.N.E
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Very easy drinking wine with substance & complexity

Positives: The oak is well integrated in this wine, which features cherry, raspberry, blackberry, red currants, dry herbs, cloves, cinnamon and a pretty nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair with rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: December 30, 2018

LCBO: 657411

WESTCOTT TEMPERANCE 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Monday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir, Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A blend between to lighter style red wines, which results in a complex wine that is a pleasure to drink

Positives: Dark cherry, plums, raspberry, blackberry, cloves, dried herbs, Champagne mushrooms with light tannins and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill this wine

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 18, 2019

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive Pinot full of flavour with a touch of spice

Positives: Cherry, raspberry, mulberry, cinnamon, cloves, leather, vanilla and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Slightly chill the wine

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019

STREWN SPARKLER NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $24.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful crisp & refreshing sparkling wine made in the Sancerre style rather than NZ

Positives: Pale yellow with a green tinge and fine mousse featuring light yeastiness, lemon/lime, pear, green apples, pink grapefruit, flint and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Made in the Cuvé Close (Charmat) method

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019

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

16 Saturday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marynissen Estates
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Merlot’s under $20, and it’s Canadian!

Positives: Really nice smoky nose that features plums, cherry, raspberry, cloves, cinnamon and vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Buy 6 pack and the cost comes to $12 per bottle, which I would put into the amazing price for the wine category.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with roasted duck made with salt, pepper, paprika and butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: February 16, 2019

DOMAINE MONTROSE PRESTIGE ROSÉ 2017, IGP Côtes De Thongue, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

01 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 70% Grenache, 25% Rolle, 5% Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes De Thongue, Languedoc-Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Montrose
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, dry with a nice citric & mineral flavour

Positives: Pale apricot in colour featuring tangerine, apricot, strawberry and shale.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Old Grenache planted on pebbly siliceous clay terrace. Rolle selected on a dark volcanic hillside.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with grilled guinea fowl breast with roasted vine tomatoes and crispy ham.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 1, 2019

LCBO: 491076