Category Archives: Best Buys

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

HENRY OF PELHAM SPARKLING WINE, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

13 Sunday Oct 2024

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

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale price until Oct 13, 2024: $15.95)
Grape: Blend of white grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A great Canadian alternative to Prosecco. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine to medium mousse, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, peach & pear.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: New to LCBO stores

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes used in this blend were picked in late September to obtain the perfect balance between acidity and sugar. The base wine was fermented cool to preserve aromatics with no malolactic fermentation done in order to maintain freshness. Secondary fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks to produce elegant bubbles. Minimum 30 days aging on lees.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Charcuterie Board.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 13, 2024

LCBO: 37965

MALLORY & BENJAMIN TALMARD MÂCON-UCHIZY 2022, AOC Mâcon-Uchizy, Mâconnais, France

07 Saturday Sep 2024

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

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mâcon-Uchizy, Mâconnais
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Talmard
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made. This delicious Chard has finesse & elegance, all at a bargain price for this quality. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, mangos, pineapple, pear, peach, roasted almonds, ginger, dill & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Originally reviewed Oct 18, 2021. Winery was founded in the 17th Century and is still family owned.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years & pair it with shrimp tempura.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 18, 2021

LCBO: 733956

FERRARI CARANO TRÉ TERRE CHARDONNAY 2022, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

24 Saturday Aug 2024

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

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Cost: $23.95 US
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Costco, Virginia, United States of America
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ferrari Carano
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made full body, complex Chard for those that like oaked Chards & one of the best, especially at this price. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pineapple, apricot, pear, golden apples, dill, ginger, crème brûlée, meringue, oak spice, cinnamon, roasted almonds & Easter Lilly on the nose.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Winemaker’s Note: “Each lot for this wine is hand harvested, whole-cluster pressed, then barrel fermented with native and cultured yeast. The wine completes 89% malolactic fermentation and is sur lee aged and stirred weekly for 5 months. The final blend was assembled in June, 2019, and the wine is barreled again in neutral oak until bottling, for a total of almost 15 months of barrel aging. All vineyard lots are treated separately until blending.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with cooked lobster on a campfire.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 23, 2024

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY PINOT GRIS ROSÉ 2023, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Aug 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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious dry rosé with substance that you can enjoy year-round, but so nice drinking on a patio. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light rose gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainier cherries, strawberries, Macintosh apples, white peach & wet stones.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The pinot gris was picked and sent direct to press to only allow minimal time on skins, but a perfect hint of colour. The wine was fermented using an aromatic, rose yeast to pull out only the best aromas and flavours from the juice and skins. It was fermented cold, to retain freshness and provide the perfect hue for patio season!”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with lamb souvlaki.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 15, 2024

13th STREET WINERY PINOT GRIS 2023, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

06 Tuesday Aug 2024

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant, beautifully made showing nice citric fruit & acidity. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon-lime, honeydew melon, pear, pitahaya, shale & white rose on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Vegan friendly

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 4, 2024

ESSAY, CHENIN BLANC, VIOGNIER & ROUSSANNE, Cape Coast, South Africa

27 Saturday Jul 2024

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 57% Chenin Blanc, 25% Viognier, 18% Roussanne
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Cape Coast
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Essay
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Very interesting wine, in a good way, complexity shows waves of different notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium straw in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Guava, papaya, pineapple, litchee, honeydew melon, dragon fruit & lemon.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Essay is a play on words: “SA” is the popular way of saying “South Africa” in SA. It also implies an “assemblage” or blending of ingredients to create a whole greater than its parts.

Winemaker’s Note: “Grapes were hand harvested and cold fermented in stainless steel tanks. The Chenin Blanc is only free-run juice. A few months of lees contact enhances texture. The unwooded wine was fined and filtered before bottling.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Asian chicken skewers with green papaya salad.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 25, 2024

LCBO: 414144

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

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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

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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

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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

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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