Category Archives: Canadian Wines

HUFF ESTATE CUVÉE PETER F. HUFF 2010, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

26 Wednesday Oct 2016

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

≈ Leave a comment


Huff

Cost: $40.00 (Clearance price: $28.05)
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO  Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Huff Estates
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic old vintage Champagne style

Description: Old gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, yeast, sourdough, brioche, lemon, green apples, grapefruit, mandarin, dragon fruit, orange rind, honey, sage, ginger and dill. Full body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “This sparkling wine was handcrafted using 100% Prince Edward County Chardonnay & Pinot Noir. This wine underwent a second fermentation in the bottle and rested for 3 years on lees.” Huff Estates

Drink now on its own or pair it with Lithuanian Stuffed Eggs.

Tasted: 28 August 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 198754

CASA DEA ESTATE CABERNET FRANC RESEVE 2009, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Casa dea

Cost: $20.25
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Casa-Dea Winery
Alcohol: 12.6% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, fruity & earthy

Description: Medium-light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, blackberry, mulberry, raspberry, tamarind, graphite, champagne mushrooms and peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Sediment and tartrate crystals found in the bottle

Drink now on its own or pair it with Steak Frites.

Tasted: 26 August 2016

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

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

LCBO: 381327

CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


closson

Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Closson Chase Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Tasted in 2016: A leaner citric Chard. In 2017 re: tested and much better. Flavours coming out, such as creme brûlée 

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lightly butter toasted oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, dill, kumquat, kiwi, marzipan, oak spice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: The finish has an overripe citric taste

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this Chard as the cold will mask some of its nuances

Drink now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Veal Piccata with Angel Hair and Parmigiana-Reggiano.

Tasted: 8 September 2016 and 22 October 2017

Score: (in 2016: 8.5+/10), (in 2017: 9+/10)  Value: (in 2016: 8.5/10), (in 2017 price has gone down $1 : 9/10)  Total: (in 2016: 17+/20) (in 2017: 18+/20)

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+ (in 2017: 4+ out of 5)

LCBO: 148866

CHATEAU DES CHARMES BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


chateau-des-charmes-chard

Cost: $14.95 (Sale until Oct 9, 2016: $13.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau des Charmes
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, not complex but full flavoured Chard

Description: Straw in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon meringue, pineapple, kumquat, pear, backed apple, buttered popcorn, oak spice and vanilla. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: The intense nose may deter some people

Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Old Fashioned Linguine with White Clam Sauce.

Tasted: 23 September 2016

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (8.5+/10 sale price) Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 81653

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR OLD VINES 2015, VQA Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


henry-of-pelham

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, full flavoured & delicious

Description: Dark purple to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, mulberry, dark cherry, blackberry, cracked peppers, cinnamon, cloves, and smoked ambers on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is Henry of Pelham’s 2nd tier Baco, their first, the Reserve is the best Baco on the planet, or at least what I’ve tasted. Their 2nd tier follows big brother nicely. Use the same ballon glass for Pinot Noir and lightly chill the wine.

Drink now or in 7 years on its own or pair it with Provencal Braised Lamb Chops.

Tasted: 24 September 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 459966

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


12 BF Chard Pic

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced between citric, tropical fruit, acidity & oak

Description: Medium bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, apple, pineapple, Freestone peaches, oak spice, clove, dill and white flower on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Kate from the Teaching Winery for assisting me at the winery’s tasting area.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with pizza bianche with fior di latte, cherry tomatoes, arugula & prosciutto di Parma

Tasted: 20 August 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BRUT 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


balance brut

Cost: $23.15
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but pleasant sparkler

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features lemon/lime, white peach, green apples and light yeast on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with baked three cheddar cheese.

Tasted: 21 August 2016

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

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

HANDSOME BRUT MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE NV, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Handsome

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Angels Gate
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Blanc de Blanc at a good price

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light brioche, lemon/lime, pear, peach, green apples, kiwi, honeydew melon and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with Pear, Parmesan, Candied Pecan and Arugula Salad.

Tasted : 7 Aug 2016

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 395160

KITTLING RIDGE LIMITED EDITION BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2012 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Kittling Chard

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta & Kittling Ridge Wineries
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A throw back to the 90s California Chards

Description: Old gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, toasted oak, butter oak, followed by pineapple, orange zest, papaya, Ylang Ylang & smoked oak on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Way too much oak and not enough fruit

Past it’s prime unless you like taking wood splints out of your mouth. However, if you were going to pair this wine then I would pair it with Linguine in Butter Sauce with Sweet and Spicy Shrimp.  

Tasted: 27 July 2016

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 Total: 15/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

KITTLING RIDGE LIMITED EDITION BARREL AGED BACO NOIR 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Kittling Ridge Baco

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Baco Noir’s I’ve had

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, mulberry, blackberry, plum, peppercorn, mushrooms and pipe tobacco on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and use the balloon style glassware

Drink now or in the next 3 of years, on its own or pair it with Gourmet style Broiled Burgers topped with Smoked Bacon and Fried Egg.

Tasted: 31 July 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 373613