Category Archives: Canadian Wines

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCED BLANC DE BLANC BRUT 2014, Traditional Method, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $27.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, dry but refreshing with cool climate flavours

Positives: Light gold in colour with a fine mousse that features light brioche, lemon, green apples, pear, grapefruit & dragon fruit.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with baked brie and strawberry jam.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 23, 2019

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY COLLEGE ROSÉ 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Sunday Jun 2019

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

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Cost: $14.15
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured, crisp Rosé with a great price & quality that makes this a top Canadian Rosé

Positives: Pomegranate in colour this wine features Bing cherries, strawberries, Fuji apples, cranberries with roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick, Best Buy & Amazing Pick

Tasted: May 27, 2019

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING WINE NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

26 Sunday May 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $25.95 (Sale price until May 26, 2019: $22.95)
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Charmes
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a stellar performer every year being bright, fresh & zesty

Positives: Light gold with a fine mousse that features brioche, light yeast, toasty apples, lemon-lime, green apples, peach, pear and lemon meringue on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Original tasting review July 24, 2016

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Devilled eggs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 25, 2019

LCBO: 224766

13th STREET WINERY SANDSTONE VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR 2016, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

01 Wednesday May 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the worldwide best Gamays & the best Canadian Gamay that I ever tasted.

Positives: It starts with a beautiful smoky nose followed on the taste by dark cherry, raspberry, mulberry, Champagne mushrooms, nutmeg and fried bacon.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use balloon style glass and slightly chill it.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Arrosticini.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 30, 2019

CAVE SPRINGS ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Saturday Apr 2019

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $14.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Springs
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a complex wine, but very delightful Canadian Chard with eloquence & it’s under $20

Positives: Bright gold in colour featuring lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, ginger and dill.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with lobster Alfredo.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the Clearance Price

Tasted: April 27, 2019

LCBO: 256552

WESTCOTT PINOT NOIR ESTATE 2015, VQA

07 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A sweeter style Pinot, but without the high alcohol

Positives: Garnet in colour featuring cherry cola, blackberry, tarragon, vanilla, caramel and violets on the nose.

Negatives: A little too sweet for my taste

Ageability: Drink now or over couple of years on its own or pair it with Peking duck.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: March 30, 2019

FOUNDERS SELECT CABERNET FRANC 2016, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

06 Saturday Apr 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

On the pricier side of Canadian reds, but this Cab won’t disappoint in taste & smoothness

Positives: This wine features blackcurrants, black cherry, raspberry, anise, cassis, cigar box, leather, tarragon and roasted green peppers.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with slow cooked BBQ beef ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 6, 2019

QUAILS’ GATE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

04 Thursday Apr 2019

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

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $20.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quails’ Gate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic oaked Chard that delivers balance, complexity with tropical fruit, spice & oh yes, it’s delicious

Positives: Bright gold in colour with a long finish that features toasted oak, lemon, peach, pineapple, coconut pie, clove, cinnamon, oak spice, dill, ginger, and on the nose smoked amber and Easter Lily.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I first tried Quails’ Gate Chardonnay in 2006 when a co-worker brought it for me from BC. At the time the LCBO had only a pittance of BC wines. This wine was amazing, so when it hit the LCBO stores some years later I was excited only to be disappointed. The wine was thin and not impressive. Quails’ Gate Chard is now a regular at Vintages, but I was sceptical to try it again. However, it was on clearance so I decided to try it. Glad I did. Restored my faith in this wineries Chard.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: April 4, 2019

LCBO: 377770

FLAT ROCK CELLARS 2011 RIDDLED, Traditional Champenoise method, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

31 Sunday Mar 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $24.50)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A vintage Blanc de Blanc that is complex, elegant, creamy & delicious

Positives: Bright gold in colour with a fine mousse and a long finish. Wine features brioche, light yeastiness, toasted bread, green apple, pear, lemon, peaches, almonds and Easter lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Screw top used in order to maintain the freshness and eliminate the wine being corked.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with strawberries.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick and Best Buy at the clearance price

Tasted: March 31, 2019

LCBO: 383315

WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

30 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A sweeter style Pinot, but without the high alcohol

Positives: Garnet in colour featuring cherry cola, blackberry, tarragon, vanilla, caramel and violets on the nose.

Negatives: A little too sweet for my taste

Ageability: Drink now or over couple of years on its own or pair it with Peking duck.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: March 30, 2019