Category Archives: Canadian Wines

KACABA ESCARPMENT CABERNET/SYRAH 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Tuesday Aug 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $30.15
Grape: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of red fruit, spice with firm tannin gives this Ontario Cab/Syrah complexity

Positives: This wine features cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, blackberry, black & white pepper, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather, cinnamon with a smoked oak nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled marinated leg of lamb

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: August 13, 2019

HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

08 Thursday Aug 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance Price $21.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.3 % Alcohol/Vol.

Steady as she goes; one of the top Canadian Chards

Positives: This wine features lemon, green apples, yellow plums, pineapple, peach, pear, vanilla, oak spice, ginger and dill all with a long finish.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy at Clearance Price & Top Pick

Tasted: August 2, 2019

LCBO: 616466

HENRY OF PELHAM ROSÉ 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Wednesday Aug 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $14.95 (Sale Price: 12.95 until Aug 18)
Grape: Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 11 % Alcohol/Vol.

A Provence style rosé that’s nice, easy drinking, crisp but juicy

Positives: This wine features strawberry, cherry, cranberry, Honeycrisp apple and rose pedals on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with BBQ pork ribs

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Amazing buy at the sale price

Tasted: August 7, 2019

LCBO: 613471

KACABA REBECCA ROSÉ 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Friday Jul 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $18.35
Grape: Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 12.3 % Alcohol/Vol.

This is what a rosé should be; refreshing, dry, juicy, flavourful & easy drinking

Positives: Salmon in colour featuring strawberry, raspberry, white cranberry, pink grapefruit & limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with St. Louis style BBQ pork chops.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 4, 2019

KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2017 VQA, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

03 Wednesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $30.15
Grape: 46% Syrah, 27% Cab Franc, 27% Cab Sauv
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.7 % Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of spice in this baby, which I like

Positives: Wine features red berries, blueberries, cherries, mint, cassis, Star Anise, peppercorn, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves and arugula.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 13 months in French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with any Italian dish with tomato sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 3, 2019

KACABA OAK AGED CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $25.35
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 12.6 % Alcohol/Vol.

A well balanced Canadian Chard that is pleasant to drink

Positives: Bright gold in colour, this wine features lemon tarts, peach, nectarines, pineapples, honeydew melon, vanilla, oak spice, dill and ginger.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 8 months in French wood.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 29, 2019

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