13 Wednesday May 2020
Posted in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, White Wines
Cost: $11.95 (Sale price: $10.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arterra Wines
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Oh dear Lord no! This wine is like eating bark from an oak tree with an overripe banana & rubbing alcohol
My Opinion: Not Recommended
Tasted: May 13, 2020
LCBO: 10427
09 Saturday May 2020
Posted in Canadian Wines, Recommended, Sparkling Wine
Cost: $25.95 (Clearance price: $18.20)
Grape: Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tawse Winery
Alcohol: 10.7% Alcohol/Vol.
A well-made Riesling sparkling wine
Tasting Note: Straw colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features light brioche, lemon, green apples, pears, & petrol on the nose.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: On Tawse website they list this wine at $28.15. In addition, the label list the alcohol as 12%, but LCBO has put a label on it listing the alcohol as 10.7%.
Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with breaded calamari.
My Opinion: Recommended
Tasted: May 9, 2020
LCBO: 546762
08 Friday May 2020
Cost: $33.95 (Clearance price: $23.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burrowing Owl
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Full bodied and rich on the palate with crisp acidity and flavours of exotic tropical fruit that is well balanced with the oak. Simply delicious.
Tasting Note: Bright gold colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features butter toast, lemon, peach, mango, pineapple, poached pear, dill, oak spice, ginger & white flower on the nose.
Negatives: None
Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with lobster and drawn butter.
My Opinion: Highly Recommended
Top Pick
Tasted: May 8, 2020
LCBO: 208694
06 Wednesday May 2020
Posted in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, Red Wines
Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $17.30)
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
A pleasant drinking Ontario Syrah made in the classic Rhone style & it’s great deal at the clearance price if you can find it
Tasting Note: Light+ ruby colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium to mild tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, mulberry, plum, clove, white & black peppers and a slight smokiness on the nose.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: For some reason if you buy it at the winery, the cost is $30.15?!
Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with braised beef short-ribs.
My Opinion: Recommended
Best Buy
Tasted: May 6, 2020
LCBO: 230896
30 Thursday Apr 2020
Cost: $17.95 (Clearance price: $14.40
Grape: Gewürztraminer
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Hubertus Winery Ltd
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Classic Alsace style Gewürz that is delicious & at a great price
Tasting Note: Deep yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lychee, honeydew melon, peach, key lime pie with rose petals on the nose.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: The winery is sustainable & organic.
Pairings: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Jamaican jerk chicken.
My Opinion: Highly Recommended
Best Buy & Top Pick
Tasted: April 29, 2020
LCBO: 11814
27 Monday Apr 2020
Cost: $39.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Redstone Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Pricey; yes, but this is not your typical Ontario Cab Franc, which is usually simple with a lot of green peppers & twiggy notes. This one is smooth, juicy, complex & balanced
Tasting Note: Light ruby with a touch of garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannins & a long length on the finish. Wine features ripe redcurrants, plum, strawberry, kirsch, beets, sage & tobacco leaves.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Besides the taste, I love the look of the bottle
Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with garlic & rosemary balsamic roasted pork loin.
My Opinion: Highly Recommended
Top Pick
Tasted: April 27, 2020
20 Monday Apr 2020
Posted in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, White Wines
Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Redstone
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
A Chard that has some positives but a little heavy on the oak & a little pricey
Tasting Note: Bright straw to gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & an average length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, cantaloupe, lemon-lime, oak spice, ginger & limestone.
Negatives: Not crazy about the marzipan notes in this wine
Interesting Point: Limestone vineyard is farmed sustained
Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Cornish Hen.
My Opinion: On the Fence
Tasted: April 20, 2020
18 Saturday Apr 2020
Cost: $50.15
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.
High-end Ontario Cab that shows why it’s on the expensive side
Tasting Note: Light garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & long length on the finish. Wine features sweet cherry, strawberry, plum, blueberry, mocha, vanilla, cinnamon and licorice.
Negative: High alcohol level
Interesting Point: Surprised by how light in colour this wine is for only being 5 years old.
Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped filet mignon.
My Opinion: Recommended
Tasted: April 18, 2020
17 Friday Apr 2020
Posted in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines
Cost: $17.95 (Sale price: $13.46)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
A pleasant drinking white wine that has a nice balance of acidity & tropical fruit
Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with good acidity, a light intense nose, & average length on the finish. Wine features apricot, peach, honeydew melon and honey.
Interesting Point: Great value at the sale price.
Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Coquilles St. Jacques
My Opinion: Highly Recommended
Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the sale price
Tasted: April 17, 2020
16 Thursday Apr 2020
Cost: $24.95 (Sale price: $18.71)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Quality Ontario red wine that is smooth, delicious & has a beautiful smoked flowery bouquet/aroma
Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & average length finish. Wine features cherry, blackberry, raspberry, mulberry, plum, cedar, vanilla, and violets & smoke on the nose.
Interesting Point: Great value at the sale price.
Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Mongolian Beef
My Opinion: Highly Recommended
Best Buy & Top Pick
Tasted: April 16, 2020
