Category Archives: Best Buys

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

VIENI GAMAY NOIR 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Pleasant bursting with fresh fruit that’s easy drinking & shows why more people should drink Gamay

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features wild cherries, boysenberry, strawberry, black pepper and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill to 15C and use the Balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with pizza topped with mushroom, pepperoni & tomatoes.

Tasted: 7 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario Pinot’s at this price range

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, Rainier cherry, red apples, cinnamon and cloves. Medium+ body with light to medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill the wine to 15C and use the Balloon style glassware

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Duck Breast with Apple Pomegranate Sauce.

Tasted: 27 July 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI SPARKLING ROSÉ BRUT 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Sale price: $19.95)
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but a most pleasant & diverse sparkling rosé

Description: Copper in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features yeast, Anjou pear, wild strawberries and McIntosh apples. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Original price was $29.95, somewhat over priced, but bang on with their sale price of $19.95

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Red Snapper Ceviche with Shallots and Mango.

Tasted: 23 July 2017

Best Buy at the sale price

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended at $19.95

VIENI BOLLICINE 2014, CHARMAT METHOD, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality at a good price

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light breaded yeast, green & red apples, pear, pink grapefruit, lemon rind, strawberry Medium body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Creamy Lobster Bisque served with Arugula Salad and warm homemade Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buys

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

JACK RABBIT ROSÉ 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $15.50
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hare Wine Co.
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sweetness without being overtly sweet

Description: Salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, nectarine, strawberry, a kiss of pink grapefruit and Jasmine on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This Cab Franc is only available to Founder Club members. A reason to join the Club.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Chicken with Herb Roasted Tomatoes and Pan Sauce.

Tasted: 18 September 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

FLAT ROCK CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Ontario oaked Chards under $20 by a large part one of the best in the world & this one may just be lead the pack

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ nose. This wine features medium buttered toast, lemon tart, peach, pear, green apple, honeydew melon, pineapple, dill, ginger, oak spice, vanilla and Jasmine on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Ginger Garlic Baked Chicken.

Tasted: 26 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 286278

CASTELLANI CHIANTI RESERVA 2014, Docg Chianti, Tuscany, Itlay

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castellani
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex just a quality DOCG Chianti Reserva at a great price

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium nose. This wine features sour cherry, pomegranates, leather, sage and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Tuscan Sausage Linguine with Zucchini, Chilies and Parmesan.

Tasted: 23 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 970707

CHEVALIER MONOPOLE BRUT ROSÉ NV, France

28 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chevalier
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

I think this is one of the smoothest, full flavourful rosé sparkling that I’ve tasted, plus you can’t beat the price made in the traditional method

Description: Light cooper in colour with a medium to intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, strawberry, rhubarb, nectarine, clementine, lemon/lime, Spy apple, Anjou pear and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Monopole on French sparkling/champagnes means that the grapes are exclusively owned by the winery and not purchased elsewhere and brought to the winery.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Lobster Fettuccini with Creamy Spicy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce.

Tasted: 20 Aug 2017

Top Pick, Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 485920

VIÑA CHOCALAN CHARDONNAY 2016, Valle del Maipo, Chile

27 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.80 (Sale price until 10 Sept 2017: $11.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Valle del Maipo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Viña Chocalan
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant citric dominated Chard especially at the price

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, pineapple, green apples, pear, ginger, dill & Champagne mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note:

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Skillet Chicken With Garlic Herb Butter.

Tasted: 19 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 487280

VIENI MOMENTI ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE EXTRA DRY NV, Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, balanced, pleasant & all at a good price

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a light intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, cherry, strawberry and red currants. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 – 5 of years on its own or pair it with Duck Terrine with Cranberries and Pistachios.

Tasted: 30 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4