Category Archives: Canadian Wines

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE PET NAT CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

26 Thursday Jan 2023

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $28.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This isn’t half bad, but I wouldn’t pay the price for it. A simple Brut frizzante. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Cloudy yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a light intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, grapefruit, sour bread, yeast, kumquat, Jonagold apples & limestone.

Negatives: The price

Interesting Point: “This was made in the “Petillant Natural” or “Pet Nat” style. Fermented only using indigenous yeast, it was bottled down near the end of fermentation to capture natural CO2 gas bubbles. No additions have been made to this wine and it remains sur lie (with lees) to protect its integrity, structure and ageability.”

Pairings: Drink this now on its own or pair it with rippled potato chips with dill/onion dip.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 24, 2023

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Tuesday Jan 2023

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: $24.95
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: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced showing citric fruit & spiciness. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Light yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pineapple, peach, apples, pear, caramel, vanilla, oak spice

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 2020 was a great vintage year for Ontario wines.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with snow crab lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 16 & August 21, 2022

LUNDY MANOR WINE CELLARS PROPRIETOR’S RED 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Friday Jan 2023

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: 51.4% Cab Franc, 27.7% Merlot, 14.5% Syrah, 6.3% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Tied for best Canadian red wine with Lundy Manor’s 2016 Red. Drinking like a nicely aged Bordeaux. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, dried cranberries, raspberry, blueberry, plum, baby spinach, white & black pepper & shale.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 18 months in French oak.

Pairings: Drink this now on its own or pair it with Slow Cooker Beef Cheeks in Red Wine.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: January 9, 2023

LCBO: 20188

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

19 Monday Dec 2022

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of NC best dry sparkling wines they’ve made, which is delicious, elegant, clean & crisp. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw to light gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, sourdough bread, lemon rind, green apples, pear, white peach,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 4 years on lees.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Norwegian eggs Benedict.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 18, 2022

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY TOM THOMSON WHITE CANOE 2108, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

09 Wednesday Nov 2022

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

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier and Pinot Gris
Category: White 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.

I am normally a traditionalist when it comes to white wine, meaning I’m not crazy when it comes to several blends of white grapes in a wine, but this one was pretty good. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, passion fruit, Dragon fruit, kumquat, & lemon rind.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The Tom Thomson art gallery (The Tom) is a national cultural attraction dedicated to the innovation and spirit of the iconic artist Tom Thomson (1877-1917) whose artwork has been described as being the “visual equivalent of our national anthem”. This wine was created by the Niagara College Teaching Winery in honour of the 50th anniversary of The Tom and 100th anniversary of Thomson’s untimely and mysterious death at Canoe Lake.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 -4 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: November 8, 2022

STREWN TERROIR CHARDONNAY FRENCH OAK 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Oct 2022

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

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Cost: $32.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Just like to reiterate my previous review on Strewn’s Terroir Chards that I am so thankful that they are now under 14%. This French Oak Chard has style similar to Meursault & beautiful made. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium to medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, Jonagold apples, peach, ripe pear, kumquat, brioche, grilled pineapple, almond butter, honey, oak spice, ginger, dill, butterscotch & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Barrel fermented with malolactic fermentation in new and seasoned French oak barrels. Left on lees for 11 months in oak with bâttonage as desired.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 -7 years on its own or pair it with Limburger cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 25, 2022

STREWN TERROIR CHARDONNAY CANADIAN OAK 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Oct 2022

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

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Cost: $35.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see Strewn’s Chards below 14% alcohol. Combination of richness with creaminess & a crispness on the finish. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, orange, cantaloupe, Jonagold apples, ginger, dill, coconut, oak spice, roasted almonds & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Barrel fermented with malolactic fermentation in new and seasoned Canadian oak barrels then left on lees for 11 months in oak with bâttonage as desired.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with pan seared Chilean Sea Bass.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: October 21, 2022

STREWN WINERY SPARKLER, SAUVIGNON BLANC, NV, Méthode Cuve Close, VQA Ontario, Canada

17 Monday Oct 2022

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

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Cost: $25.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant surprise for this Charmat method Sauvignon Blanc. Not complex but good quality. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lime, honeydew melon, pink grapefruit, fresh grass & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Fermented in stainless steel down to dryness. Following stabilization and sterile filtration, the wine base underwent secondary fermentation to 6.5 g/L residual sugar in specialized pressurized tanks followed by battonage.” (Winery)

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 16, 2022

13TH STREET WINERY JUNE’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Canadian non-oaked Chards I’ve tasted that shows a creamy rich texture along with minerality. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Straw with some gold tinge in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, Jonagold apples, ripe pear, honeycomb, honeydew melon & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan Friendly

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with grilled shrimp

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 12, 2022

LCBO: 154617

LE CLOS JORDANNE VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Saturday Sep 2022

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

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Cost: $27.95 ($24.95 at the winery)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages & Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Le Clos Jordanne
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made with balance of the fruit, acidity & oak that sees this complex wine as rich & full body. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, lanolin, pineapple, Jonagold apples, pear, honeydew melon, caramel, ginger, dill, oak spice, limestone & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “We repeatedly tasted barrel by barrel to select only those representatives of the Le Clos terroir. After 19 months of aging (to push the wines away from only having ‘varietal’ characteristics, and more towards terroir), we racked the wines out of barrel and left them to settle in tank for about a month to achieve better homogenization and more elegance in the bouquet. We
filtered the wines just prior to bottling, where they were then aged in bottle
for several months prior to release to further develop both the aromatic
bouquet and the mouthfeel.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with steamed snow crab legs with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at Winery

Tasted: September 9, 2022