Category Archives: Best Buys

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

LITTLE PENGUIN CHARDONNAY 2013, South Eastern Australia, Australia

13 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Little Penguin

Cost: $10.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: South Eastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Little Penguin Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Nothing complicated here, just some nice easy drinking Chard that has both creamy buttery notes balanced with citric notes

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features mild toast, lemons, pineapple, green apple, tangerines, cream corn and vanilla. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with Chef Ken Lefebour from Nellie James Gourmet Food to Go farm fresh baked squash with Ontario Brie, pears and sage on a bed of Arugula

Thanks to Go Cooking for the event with Chef Ken Lefebour

Tasted: 6 Oct 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 598904

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES ESTATE BOTTLED SPARKLING ROSÉ 2010, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

04 Saturday Oct 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Chateau Des Charmes Rose

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance Price: $23.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling wine Méthod
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Charmes
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simply delightful sparkling wine, which is not surprising from Château Des Charmes

Description: Salmon in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This sparkling wine features brioche, yeast, strawberry, raspberry, nectarines, clementines and Cambozola. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: In experimenting with different Champagne/Sparkling wine glasses, the thinner, longer style ones gave this sparkler a sharper note that may not be inviting to some pallets.

Interesting Note: Bottle fermented and aged on sur lie (on the yeast) for two to three years

Drink now or in the next 3 years or pair with Smoked Salmon Bruschetta.

Tasted: 28 Sept 2014

Best Buy on sale price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 78055

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2O10, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

15 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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teaching-winery

Cost: $18.95 (Clearance: $15.20)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

You must like Oaky Chards to like this one, and I do

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. The wine features medium to medium+ toasted oak, lemon tarts, pineapple, green and yellow apples, dill, ginger, butterscotch, vanilla and Allspice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: A bit tart on the finish

Interesting Note: Students from the Niagara College Winery made this wine. If you’re in St. Catharines, Ontario, please visit the college winery as these students produce some great wines.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Renegade Pork with Mango Ginger Rub.

Tasted: 9 Sept 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price 10/10) Total: 18/20

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

LCBO: 40634

MAGNOTTA CRACKLING GAMAY ROSÉ NV, Charmat Method, VQA, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Sep 2014

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

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Magnotta Gamay

Cost: $10.15 (Sale price September 2014: $8.15)
Grape Variety: Gamay Noir
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 11.9% Alcohol/Vol.

An off dry spritzer that’s a really nice wine to bring to a party

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a low intense nose and creamy mousse. The simple but flavourful wine features strawberry and cherry. Medium+ body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Cayman Style Ceviche (Fresh Snapper, Vinegar, Lime Juice, Tomato, Red Onion, Cilantro & Scotch Bonnet)

Tasted: 11 Sept 2014

Best Buy

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

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

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE DRY GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2010, VQA, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Sep 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Magnotta Gewurtz

Cost: $14.15 (Sale price September 2014: $12.15)
Grape Variety: Gewürztraminer
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An impressive Gewürz from Niagara Peninsula

Description: Deep gold in colour with a highly intense nose. The wine features lychee, granny smith apples and lemon meringue pie. Full body with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Gary Parker’s Pad Thai

Tasted: 8 Sept 2014

Best Buy (Amazing Buy at the sale price)

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

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

MAGNOTTA EQUIUS SERIES GAMAY NOIR 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

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

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Magnotta Gamay Noir

Cost: $10.15 ($9.15 on sale for September 2014)
Grape Variety: Gamay
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beaujolais Nouveau? Bah humbug. Try this Gamay, you won’t regret it

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This may not be a complex wine, but it full flavoured. The wine features cherry, rhubarb, smoked wood and a mild bubble gum finish. Medium to light body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill it like a Pinot to 15 degrees

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with roast beef in cherry balsamic sauce.

Tasted: 6 Sept 2014

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

MAGNOTTA’S MERLOT 2011, Chile

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Magnotta Chile Merlot

Cost: $8.95 ($7.97 on sale for September 2014)
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive wine for under $9, and even more so when it’s on sale. Smooth, juicy, full flavoured with dark fruits

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features blackcurrants, blackberry, plum, licorice, star anise and eucalyptus. Medium+ body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 13.5% alcohol, which makes me thinks its more

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops

Tasted: 5 Sept 2014

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES TRIONFO 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Friday Aug 2014

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

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Trionfo

Cost: $8.55 (On sale if you buy a case it comes out to $7.55/bottle)
Grape Variety: Baco Noir, Maréchal Foch, Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Well this is a really pleasant surprise. An easy drinking, vibrant, red fruit wine with no negatives and under $9!

Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features red currants, wild raspberry, mild Christmas cake, smoke ambers and dried herbs. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: – Chill the wine to 15 C and use a Pinot Noir glass
                         – I like the saying on the back label: ” I see the horse not just as a thing of beauty but also a soul mate” 

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with Speck, Brie and Arugula pizza. (FYI Ragazzi at Grand Cayman makes the best)

Tasted: 20 Aug 2014

Amazing and Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

E. GUIGAL CÔTE DU RHÔNE 2011, Ac Côtes Du Rhône, France

16 Saturday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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E. Guigal Rhone

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 5% Mouvèdre
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E. Guigal
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking quality Rhône wine for under $20

Description: Bright medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, black cherry, blackberry, plum, white & black peppers, black olives, licorice, shitake mushrooms and smoked earth. Medium body with mild tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: E. Guigal consistently produces excellent wines from entry level to high end.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with steak sandwich from Vincentina Meats .

Tasted: 12 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 259721

MATCH BOOK OLD HEAD CHARDONNAY 2011, Dunnigan Hills, California, United States

16 Saturday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Matchbook

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jl Giguiere
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

If you like eating dill chips you’ll love this Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium to light toasted oak, lots of dill, Easter Lilly, lemon meringue pie, orange marmalade and peach. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: I love dill chips, so I really like this Chard.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with pan seared trout in butter and wine caper sauce.

Tasted: 12 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 205492