Category Archives: Canadian Wines

VIENI CLASSIC BRUT 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Jul 2017

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

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Cost: $22.95 (On sale: $19.95)
Grape: 60% Chardonnay, 24% Pinot Noir, 16% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp & dry with complexity

Description: Straw with bronze tinge in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features yeast, lemon, green apples, pear, Honeydew Melon, Brazilian nuts, ginger, rose petals on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Champagne grapes but made in Charmat method.

Thanks to Suzie who was a gracious host to me at the winery.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Pistachio-Crusted Scallops served with Linguine and olive oil garlic sauce.

Tasted: 2 July 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CANADA 150 EXTRA DRY RED SPARKLING WINE CHARMAT METHOD, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Jul 2017

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 44% Pinot Noir, 30% Baco Noir, 26% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but full flavoured, delicious sparkler that is a hidden Canadian treasure

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features black cherry, strawberry, raspberry and purple lilacs on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Suzie who was a gracious host to me at the winery.

Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Rabbit served with a Sage, Rosemary and Black Cherry reduction.

Tasted: 1 July 2017 (Happy 150th Canada: congrats to my cousin-in-law, Kerry for becoming a Canadian citizen today!)

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

ROSEHALL RUN JCR PINOT NOIR 2010, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

19 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $39.50
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rosehall Run Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Burgundian in style & in price, but worth it

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, sour cherry, black cherry, raspberry, Champagne mushrooms, graphite, earthiness and lavender with peat moss on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill to 15C and use the balloon style glasses.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguignon.

Tasted: 13 June 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 326504

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Jun 2017

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $18.40)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Glen Estate Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A solid Canadian Chard that’s a nice change from the standard model for an oaked Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon meringue, lime, red & green apples, peach, pear, light yeast, oak spice and white flowers on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Veal Chops with mushrooms.

Tasted: 1 June 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 484626

PINK HOUSE WINE CO. CHARDONNAY MERLOT ROSÉ 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

12 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale Price until 18 June 2017: $12.95)
Grape: Chardonnay & Merlot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: House Wine Company
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Well this is an interesting rosé made from white & red grapes

Description: Salmon with an orange hue in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, cranberry, orange, McIntosh apple and orange blossom on the nose. Medium body with medium acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Can’t make up my mind if this wine is just okay or it’s good. Seems like a mood wine, ie depends on what mood your in may reflect how you view this rosé.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Roasted Tomato Basil Soup.

Tasted: 9 June 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 324558

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS SMALL LOT RESERVE MERITAGE 2011, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Friday May 2017

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

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Cost: $40.00
Grape: 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Cabernet Franc, 24% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Rockway Vineyards
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Vineyards
Alcohol: 13 % Alcohol/Vol.

Tastes like an aged Right Bank Bordeaux, but for a price

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black cherry, plum, raspberry, anise, cloves, vanilla and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Worcestershire BBQ Fillet rubbed with Butter and Rosemary.

Tasted: 2 April 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 8+/10, Total: 17+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS SMALL LOT RESERVE MERLOT 2010, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

27 Thursday Apr 2017

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

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Cost: $40.00
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Rockway Vineyards
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Unfortunately not complex enough to warrant the high price

Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, Bell pepper, cherry, plum, raspberry, anise and cloves. Medium+ body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Screw top for an expensive wine & it’s not from Down Under.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Grilled Pork Chops.

Tasted: 5 April 2017

Not recommended

Score: 8/10, Value: 5/10, Total: 13/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Rosés

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until April 23, 2017: $15.95)
Grape: 60% Cabernet Franc, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ducourt
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A solid, versatile off dry rosé

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, raspberry, maraschino cherry, pomegranate, red currants, red apples and anise. Medium body and light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Cajun Style Blackened Snapper with Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes.

Tasted: 18 April 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 559088

KING’S COURT PRINCESS ROSÉ 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Rosés

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: King’s Court Estate Winery
Alcohol: 11.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful surprise, a rosé with delicious substance

Description: Light bright pomegranate in colour with an intense nose. This wine features Bing cherry, cranberry, pink grapefruit, Spy apple and blood orange. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Unusual for modern rosés to have cork vs screw top.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Herb Crusted Rack of Pork.

Tasted: 25 March 2017

Best buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 491050

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST 2011, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

18 Saturday Mar 2017

Posted by in 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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2011deanlistchardonnay1

Cost: $25.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Not the typical commercial produced Chard so I give this Dean List Chard an A

Description: Bright old gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, butter, lemon, pineapple, orange, clove, oak spice and on the nose. Medium= body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I like the Dean’s List report card on the label. What’s interesting is that on the label the aging potential is listed to 2014. However, on the winery web site, they have the aging potential of 2018, with which I agree.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Honey and Clove Glazed Pork Chops.

Tasted: 3 February 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+