Category Archives: Best Buys

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

THE FARM CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Jul 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $25.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: The Farm
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Vibrant & full of nice citric fruits, spice & integrated oak. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Yellow gold in colour with good acidity, low to medium intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, honeycomb, vanilla, oak spice, ginger, dill, limestone.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: Unfiltered

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Alaskan King Crab legs

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 19, 2024

LAS NIÑAS ELLA RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2023, DO Valle de Casablanca, Chile

08 Monday Jul 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $15.45 (Sale price until July 21, 2024: $13.45)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General Listing
Country: Chile
Region: Valle de Casablanca
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vina del Nuevo Mundo SA
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality of this wine is double of its price. It’s balanced between acidity, oak & fruits. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, mango, pear, light oak spice, ginger, dill, limestone & fresh cut white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Certified sustainable/organic

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Pastel de jaiba (Crab pie)

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 7, 2024

LCBO: 37162

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2023, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Jun 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Tavel style rosé without the high alcohol associated with Tavel’s. This rosé is bold & full of flavour. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright cranberry in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainer cherries, strawberry, cranberry, watermelon & fresh cut red roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: Direct to press after 12 hours on skins.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with Mesquite chicken wings.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 20, 2024

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY PINOT NOIR 2020, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Jun 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Fruit driven Pinot featuring mouth-watering berries. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby garnet in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, cranberries, raspberries, beets, vanilla and earth notes on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Wild Pheasant In Mushroom and Wine Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 12, 2024

ASLINA CHARDONNAY 2021, South Africa

08 Saturday Jun 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $18.40)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ntsiki Biyela
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced, crisp, good acidity, tropical notes & subtle oak. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, honeydew melon, clementine, ginger, dill, honey & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Aslina is the name of Ntsiki’s grandmother.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with snow crabs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: June 6, 2024

LCBO: 00033300

CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL CHARDONNAY 2021, Washington, United States of America

05 Sunday May 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $20.95 (Clearance Price: $16.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Washington
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Christopher Michael
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Medium body, lightly oaked Chard that shows a lot of flavour. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, kumquat, pear, peach, tangerine, honeydew melon, ginger, oak spice

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Kumquat Chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 4, 2024

LCBO: 32826

DOMAINE DE CAROBELLE 2021, AOP Vacqueyras, Côte du Rhône

24 Wednesday Apr 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $27.95 (Clearance Price: $23.25 & $18.65 if you can get find it.)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Mouvèdre, Cinsault)
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Vaqueyras, Côtes du Rhône
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine de Carobelle
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made showing bright fruits & spice. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blueberry, mulberry, strawberry jam, black & white pepper, and Champagne mushrooms & lavender on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Made with organic grapes.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 15, 2024

LCBO: 31966

HENRY OF PELHAM THREE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

15 Monday Apr 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.95 (Sale Price until April 28, 2024: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham Estate
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Canadian Chard under $20. Excellent balance between oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, quince, dill, ginger, oak spice, vanilla, roasted almonds & jasmine on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I reviewed 2019 vintage, and was not too crazy about it, and it was selling for $21.95. Now, now only is it $2 less, but the quality is exceptional.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 11, 2024

LCBO: 268342

CAVE DE RIBEAUVILLÉ GIERSBERGER BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE, NV, AC Alsace, France

18 Monday Mar 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $16.00)
Grape: 80% Pinot Blanc, 20% Auxerrois
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cave de Ribeauville
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Bone dry on the taste with citric fruit & minerality. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, high acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, brioche, green & yellow apples, pear, orange, limestone & acacia on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “The grapes are exclusively harvested by hand. This Crémant is produced in the purest respect of the traditional method with a second fermentation in the bottle, followed by aging for a minimum of 12 months on slats. A dosage of 8.5g/l during disgorging gives it its raw character.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it for Sunday Brunch.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 17, 2024

LCBO: 183624

COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE 2022, IG Alentejano, Portugal

16 Saturday Mar 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $14.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Aragonex & Trincadeira
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Arrailos, Alentejano
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ravasqueira
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Excellent value wine with depth & flavour. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, blackberry, cassis, anise, leather, tobacco leaves, fig & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Aged in oak barrels for 8 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 -5 years on its own or pair it with Espetada.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 15, 2024

LCBO: 11152