Category Archives: Canadian Wines

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE SEMILLON-SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

12 Monday Apr 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 83% Semillon, 17% Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine gives you a nice balance between sour & tart flavours. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Gooseberry, fresh cut grass, lemon-lime custard, grapefruit, passionfruit & chalk.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Fermented in both stainless steel and French oak barrels

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Shrimp

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 9, 2021

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE MUSCAT 2019, VQA Ontario, Canada

09 Friday Apr 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Muscat
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  10.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking, delicious off dry white wine to have on a beautiful sunny day on the patio or while enjoying a hot tub. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Honeydew melon, kiwi, green apples, lemon meringue, clementine, peach & Ylang-ylang on the nose.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Thanks to Chetan from the Teaching Winery Store for suggesting this wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Thai green curry coconut shrimp.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 9, 2021

STREWN TERROIR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Saturday Mar 2021

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

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Cost: $24.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stewn Winery
Alcohol:  13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex Sauv with nice fruits & some spiciness. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: gooseberry, fresh cut grass, honeydew melon, pear, mandarin & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: My thanks to the winery’s sommelier; Juan Nunez-Sanchez, for his recommendation of this wine for my pairing with the ceviche that I made.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Pico de Gallo

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 26, 2021

STREWN TERROIR, STREWN THREE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $46.00
Grape: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc and 22% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stewn Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Don’t think Ontario winemakers make great Bordeaux style wines like their counterparts across the pond, well this one certainly does. The wine just explodes in your mouth with beautiful fruits & spice. Well worth the price. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, plum, tamarind, mulberry, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, black peppers, Crème de cassis, cloves, cinnamon, anise, tobacco leaves, leather, vanilla & a mix of Evergreens & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Strewn Three, their flagship red wine, is a three varietal blend that is unique each time it is made. In the past decade there have been only four vintages – 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016 – where the grapes were of the outstanding quality required to make our top-tier Terroir reds.” Strewn

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops with Blackberry Pan sauce and Arugula 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 24, 2021

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE SEMI-DRY RIESLING 2017, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

19 Friday Mar 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Well-made classic off dry, but not sweet, Riesling. Probably the best Canadian Riesling for under $17. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, pear, green apple, limestone & petrol on the nose.   

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Jerk Chicken Wings.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 18, 2021

13th STEET WINERY MERITAGE 2018, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Thursday Mar 2021

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

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Picture is of 2016, but same label for 2018

Cost: $39.95
Grape: 41.5% Merlot, 41.5% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This maybe the best Canadian red wine I’ve had & my best rated Canadian wine score, therefore well worth the price. This wine is balanced, complex with juicy fruit notes & spice. Absolutely delicious. Well done JP. Score: 98/100

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plums, ripe tamarind, bramble fruit, pomegranate, dark chocolate, cloves, Allspice, cinnamon, sage, spinach leaves, leather, pencil shavings, turmeric with cedar & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: My favourite wine of JP’s to date was his Viscek 2018 Chardonnay, & this is now my favourite of his wines (not including his sparkling wines, but it just maybe equal).

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10 years & pair it with Rosemary Crusted Rack of Lamb with Pomegranate Shallot Sauce. 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 5, 2021

Re tested March 8, 2021

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Mar 2021

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: $27.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully crafted this Pinot shows classic & elegant notes that are well balanced between the fruit & acidity while any oak influence gives it some backbone. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black & sour cherries, strawberry, raspberry, beetroot, Champagne mushrooms, peat moss & a touch of vanilla bean.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Sourced from Whitty Vineyards in Creek Shores. Fermented with minimum intervention & aged in new & seasoned French oak barrels for 8 months.” (13th Street)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 13, 2021

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BARREL FERMENTED BALANCE CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

06 Saturday Mar 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This Balance Chard is nicely balanced between the citric fruit, the light oak notes & the graceful creaminess but still refreshing without being overtly crisp. 89/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green apple, pear, honeydew melon, vanilla & coconut.    

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill this wine, as you will lose its complexity

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with North Atlantic lobster wrapped in egg pasta with sauteed bacon in a beurre blanc sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 5, 2021

BRICKLAYER’S REWARD 20 BARRELS CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2021

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Lakeshore
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Colio Estate Wines
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This nicely balanced cool climate style Chard should please those that like oak & those that don’t all at a good price point. Score: 90 /100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green apples, pear, peach, pineapple, oak spice, dill, honey & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The wine has been blended from 20 different oak barrels, mostly new, for 10 months

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with lobster sautéed in ginger & scallions (especially from Ma Chinese Restaurant in St. Catharines).

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 20, 2021

LCBO: 644609

TRIUS CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Friday Feb 2021

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Cost: $14.95 (Sale price until Feb 28, 2021: $13.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trius Winery
Alcohol:  12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Fruit forward Chard with a touch of oak all at a nice price. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with high acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green & yellow apples, pink grapefruit, pear, peach, honeydew melon, oak spice & ginger.      

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO list this wine as “Full-Body & Rich”. More like medium body & crisp.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years & pair it with Oysters with the Shallot Ginger Vinaigrette.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2021

LCBO: 497248