Category Archives: Canadian Wines

QUAILS’ GATE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

04 Thursday Apr 2019

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

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $20.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quails’ Gate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic oaked Chard that delivers balance, complexity with tropical fruit, spice & oh yes, it’s delicious

Positives: Bright gold in colour with a long finish that features toasted oak, lemon, peach, pineapple, coconut pie, clove, cinnamon, oak spice, dill, ginger, and on the nose smoked amber and Easter Lily.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I first tried Quails’ Gate Chardonnay in 2006 when a co-worker brought it for me from BC. At the time the LCBO had only a pittance of BC wines. This wine was amazing, so when it hit the LCBO stores some years later I was excited only to be disappointed. The wine was thin and not impressive. Quails’ Gate Chard is now a regular at Vintages, but I was sceptical to try it again. However, it was on clearance so I decided to try it. Glad I did. Restored my faith in this wineries Chard.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: April 4, 2019

LCBO: 377770

FLAT ROCK CELLARS 2011 RIDDLED, Traditional Champenoise method, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

31 Sunday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $24.50)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A vintage Blanc de Blanc that is complex, elegant, creamy & delicious

Positives: Bright gold in colour with a fine mousse and a long finish. Wine features brioche, light yeastiness, toasted bread, green apple, pear, lemon, peaches, almonds and Easter lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Screw top used in order to maintain the freshness and eliminate the wine being corked.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with strawberries.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick and Best Buy at the clearance price

Tasted: March 31, 2019

LCBO: 383315

WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

30 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
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

STREWN TERROIR CHARDONNAY AMERICAN OAK 2016, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

22 Friday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $32.20
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, oak driven, complex and not for the faint at heart, but oh so good

Positives: Old gold in colour featuring lemon custard, Fuji Apple, Golden Delicious apples, orange peel, mango, pineapple, dill, coconut, vanilla, oak spice, cloves, butterscotch, caramel and smoked fall leaves on the nose.

Negatives: 14.8% alcohol

Interesting Point: Surprisingly the high alcohol is well integrated

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 22, 2019

KACABA MERLOT 2013, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

16 Saturday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid quality & nicely aged Canadian Merlot

Positives: This medium to full body wine features dark cherry, raspberry, elderberry, anise, cassis, cinnamon, mocha, tomato leaves and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with slow roasted brisket.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 16, 2019

THE TEACHING WINERY LES MARMITONS: GASTRONOMY FUMÉ BLANC 2017, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

11 Monday Mar 2019

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: $23.15
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Wine
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a quality Fumé Blanc from Nièvre from the Loire Valley in France, but wait it’s not, it’s from the teaching winery at Niagara College. Well done!

Positives: Light yellow with a green tinge in colour. This wine features fresh cut grass, lemon/lime, pink grapefruit, guava, dragon fruit, flint, cloves and light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with red snapper ceviche.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: March 11, 2019

NOMAD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $23.95 (Clearance price: $19.20)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hinterbrook Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Canadian Cab that is full body, rich, smooth, easy drinking & all under 13% alcohol

Positives: Wine features dark cherry, blackberry, blackcurrants, mulberry, tamarind, mocha, vanilla and light smoked amber on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I bought this wine because I liked the drawing of the Great White Owl on its label. Glad the wine was good too.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with red wine pot roast.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: March 9, 2019

LCBO: 581132

MARYNISSEN ESTATES PLATINUM CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

08 Friday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Get 3 for $65.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marynissen Winery
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth but with a zip and complexity brings this Ontario Chard to a next level

Positives: The oak is noticeable, but in this case that’s a good thing. This full body Chard that features lemon drops, apples (green, golden & Spy), mango, pineapple, meringue, dill, coconut, oak spice and Easter Lilly on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I liked the long neck bottle and impressed with the high quality long cork made for aging.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster and drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Best Buy at the buy discount price of 3 bottle = $21.62

Tasted: March 8, 2019

MARYNISSEN ESTATES CHARDONAY 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Saturday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marynissen Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, silky, smoky along with tropical fruits makes this oaked Chard a beautiful thing

Positives: The oak is nicely balanced in this full body Chard that features lemon, apples (green, golden & Spy), mango, pineapple, meringue, coconut, oak spice and smoked oak with white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with scallops in pasta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 2, 2019

MAGNOTTA FLEUR D’OR NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

24 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $25.15
Grape: Riesling, Vidal
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An off-dry sparkling that is well balanced, has substance & easy to drink

Positives: Yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, which features lemon zest, yellow apples, pineapple, peach and pear.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1) I do like the gold bottle with the elongated neck, 2) The new Venture Series sparkling in the LCBOs is now $1 more, so I recommend you can go to the Magnotta stores.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple years on its own or pair it with strawberries

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 24, 2019