Category Archives: Canadian Wines

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 BALANCE 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, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, 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 Region
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, dry but refreshing with cool climate flavours. Score 95/100. Update August 18, 2020: Double Gold Award & 2020 Sparkling Wine of the Year at the Canadian Sparkling Wine Championships. Congrats to winemaker Gavin Robertson.

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: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

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, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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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