Category Archives: Best Buys

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

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

VIENI ALLERIA RED 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: 24.5% Cab Franc, 24.5% Cab Sauvignon, 23% Baco Noir, 20% Maréchal Fosch, 8% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An eclectic mix of classic & hybrid grapes that give you a nice experience

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked pine, strawberry, cherry, candy apple, and Champagne mushrooms. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Tried an open bottle that was 3 days old, and still very good.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Thyme and Spiced Rubbed Roast Beef.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

VIENI BRIGANTI RESERVE 2014, VQA Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Maréchal Fosch, Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better wines to represent Canada’s true hybrid grapes

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, raspberry, cherry, blueberry, bramble fruit, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, Champagne mushrooms and smoked cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style Pinot Noir glassware & slightly chill the wine.

Brigantia was the goddess of the largest Celtic tribe in the north of England – the Brigantii. They constantly challenged Roman rule, and armed conflict frequently erupted when the confines of Pax Romana became unbearable. This defiance of convention echoes through the ages and the name “brigand” still describes one who plays outside the rules.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Lamb Kebabs.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

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

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

CICLOS ICONO MALBEC MERLOT 2012, Calchaqies Valley, Salta, Argentina

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: 50% Malbec, 50% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Calchaqies Valley, Salta
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grupo Penaflor Sa
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth & delicious

Description: Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, blackberry, mulberry, cassis, anise, roasted almonds, vanilla bean, black peppers and shitake mushrooms. Medium+ body with good acidity, long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I have to admit, I bought this wine because I liked the label. Glad that it was a good wine.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years

Tasted: 9 October 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 37895

PELEE ISLAND PELEE PINK 2016, VQA Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $11.95
Grape: Chambourcin
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your typical rosé, interesting & priced for the taking

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features rhubarb, sour cherry, raspberry, tomato leaves and shitake mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chambourcin is a French-American hybrid, widely planted in areas not well suited for Vitis Vinefera such as Missouri, Indiana & Michigan.

Drink now or in the next couple of years

Tasted: 19 October 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: 4

LCBO: 529354

MELINI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2009, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 4 Nov 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Melini Casa Fondata
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, a delight to drink & a 2009 for under $20

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light cedar, cherry, raspberry, leather and sage. Medium body with good acidity a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I like the classic label.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 23 October 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5+/10) Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 487819

AMAROSÉ FOREIGN AFFAIR 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: 13.30)
Grape: 73% Pinot Noir, 27% Chardonnay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Foreign Affair Winery
Alcohol: 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid rosé with full flavours yet still is crisp & dry

Description: Rose gold in colour with a low to medium intense nose. This wine strawberry, cherry, watermelon, pear, raspberry and rhubarb. Medium body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Partial grape drying in the Appassimento method brings out the flavours in this rosé.

Drink now or in the next 3 of years

Tasted: 9 November 2017

Best Buy and Amazing Buy at the clearance price

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5/10), Total: 18/20

Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 388702

JACOB’S CREEK CHARDONNAY PINOT NOIR BRUT NV, Southeastern Australia

17 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Southeastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jacob’s Creek Winery
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice flavoured, inexpensive dry sparkler that is an excellent replacement for Prosecco.

Description: Light gold in colour with a light to medium intense nose and medium mousse. This wine features light yeast, lemon, yellow apple, pear, lime and orange rind. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 1 January 2018

Best Buy

Recommended

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

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

LCBO: 210633