Category Archives: Best Buys

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

PENINSULA RIDGE BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Peninsula Ridge

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

My new favourite, everyday, easy drinking Chard that’s under $20

Positives: This isn’t a complex Chard, but what it offers is very pleasant. The wine features integrated oak, sweet corn, lemon candy, Macintosh apple, pear, peach & nutmeg. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The nose is better than the taste.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops.

Tasted: 1 Dec 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 211490

NOVAL TAWNY PORT, Douro, Portugal

28 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Fortified & Desert Wine

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Noval Port

Cost: $17.70 (Sale: $15.70 until 1 Dec 2013)
Grape Variety: Port variety
Category: Fortified Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Noval
Alcohol: 19.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium to dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A well balanced & smooth Tawny/port for under $20 that you can describe as either a lighter style port or a more red fruit tawny

Positives: This wine features dried figs, Christmas cake, maraschino cherry in dark chocolate, Kirsch and roasted almonds. Full body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or cellar it for 5 years and drink on its own or pair it with Chris De La Rosa’s, via Go Cooking, Guinness Ice Cream.

Tasted: 26 Nov 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 309765

DEINHARD GREEN LABEL RIESLING 2012, Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany

28 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Green Labelä

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Germany
Region: Mosel
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Deinhard
Alcohol: 10.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A smooth Riesling with kiss of sweetness.

Positives: This wine features green apples, pineapples, pink grapefruit, dill, peach, pears & light petrol on the nose. Medium minus body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Chris Des La Rosa, via Go Cooking, Caribbean stuffed Jerk Chicken.

Tasted: 26 Nov 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 8094

HUNGARIA GRAND CUVÉE BRUT NV, Traditional Method, Hungary

28 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Hungaria_Grande_Cuv_e_Kanada_web

Cost: $12.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Hungary
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hungaria Sparkling Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw with a light yellow in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse.

Originally tested Aug 2011 and still the best traditional method sparkling wine for under $13

Positives: This wine features green and yellow apples, lemon/lime, peach, pear and light yeast. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Chris De La Rosa’s, via Go Cooking, Caribbean coconut shrimp bisque.

Tasted: 26 Nov 2013

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 619288

COTO DE IMAZ RESERVA 2005, Doc Rioja, Spain

25 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Coto

Cost: $20.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coto de Rioja
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

A true pleasure to drink and for just over $20.

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, sandalwood, dark cherry, cinnamon, cloves, coconut, vanilla, nutmeg and some leather.  Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I like the classic label.

Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Crusted Black Pepper and Cinnamon seared Pork Loin served with fried yucca drizzled with garlic butter.

Tasted: 18 Nov 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 23762

CLINE ZINFANDEL 2012, California, United States

21 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cline

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Zinfandel
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cline Cellars
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A well balanced & smooth Zin for under $15

Positives: This wine features light cedar, Christmas cake, raisins, plums, raspberry, maraschino cherry and candy apple. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Unusual to have a Zin at 14% alcohol and costing under $25.

Drink now on its own or pair it with My Thai’s Restaurant’s, via Go Cooking, Paneang curry with beef.

Tasted: 19 Nov 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 489278

ROSÉ D’ANJOU 2012, DOC Loire Valley, France

21 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Rose

Cost: $12.95
Grape Variety: 70% Grolleau, 20% Gamay, 10% Cabernet Franc
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ackerman
Alcohol: 10.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright salmon in colour with a medium intense nose.

A versatile food friendly rosé that pairs well with Indian or Thai food.

Positives: This wine features strawberry, lime, honeydew melon cantaloupe and maraschino cherry.  Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Grolleau, a native grape in Loire Valley is low in alcohol and high in acidity.

Drink now on its own or pair it with My Thai’s Restaurant’s, via Go Cooking, Pad Thai.

Tasted: 19 Nov 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 12641

LINDEMAN’S BIN 95 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013, South Eastern Australia, Australia

21 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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lindemans_sauv_bl_web

Cost: $10.95
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: South Eastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lindeman’s Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A good Sauvignon Blanc that’s not overly tart, plus you can’t beat the price.

Positives: This wine features gooseberry, lime, guava, green apples and wet stone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with My Thai’s Restaurant’s, via Go Cooking, coconut milk soup with chicken.

Tasted: 19 Nov 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 181388

VERNUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008, Colchagua Valley, Chile

18 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance: $20.70)
Grape Variety: Cabernet 95% Sauvignon, 3% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Santa Helena Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

An easy juicy full body red and a best buy at the clearance price

Positives: This wine shows cedar, blackcurrants, anise, dark cherry, cigar box, menthol, plums and arugula. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the 14.5% alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with vegetable lasagna.

Tasted: 6 Nov 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 295519

FAUSTINO VII TEMPRANILLO 2010, DOC Rioja, Spain

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Faustino

Cost: $12.65 ($11.65 until 10 Nov 2013)
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Faustino Martinez
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Quality is very good for a wine under $15

Positives: This wine features cedar, sandalwood, dark cherry, plums, dates, licorice stick, black tea, leather, sage and burlap. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO usually has this wine on sale a couple times a year.

Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with Spanish Salami.

Tasted: 28 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 315234