Category Archives: Canadian Wines

FEATHERSTONE JOY PREMIUM CUVÉE MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE 2011, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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joy

Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $24.50)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Featherstone
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Simple yet elegant

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features brioche, lemon, green apples, dill, ginger and white flowers on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The 2011 Vintages are on clearance as 2012 are now coming to stores. This sparkler is topped with a bottle cap not cork.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Grouper with Lemon Basil Cream Sauce.

Tasted: 5 March 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance Price: 9/10), Total: 17+/20

Best Buy at Clearance Price

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

LCBO: 310334

LES MARMITONS GASTRONOMY CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Friday Jan 2017

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

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gastronomy-chard-1

Cost: $19.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Niagara Teaching Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

I love finding unique treasures, especially in Canadian wines, and this wine is one of them

Description: Bright straw to gold to in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, Golden Delicious apples, pineapple, clementine, clove, butterscotch, honey & apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although this wine was aged sur lie in barrel oaks for 14 months and had malolactic fermentation, the wine tastes better in smaller Chablis style glass than the larger Montrachet larger glassware.

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Lemon Sole.

Tasted: 16 January 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CATTAIL CREEK PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Friday Jan 2017

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

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img_9316

Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Cattail Creek Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cattail Creek Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An aged Pinot Noir for Pinot aficionados

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features barnyard notes, strawberries, cherries, cranberries, cloves and smoky ambers on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Oven Baked Salmon served with Roasted Mushrooms and Herbs.

Tasted: 13 December 2016

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

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

CATTAIL CREEK ESTATE SERIES MERLOT 2010, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Tuesday Dec 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cattail Creek Family Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A light, simple but pleasant Canadian Merlot

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, dark cherry, blueberry, plum and dark chocolate. Medium light body with medium tannin, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Grilled Pork Chops with Gingered Plum Sauce.

Tasted: 19 September 2016

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

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

NORMAN HARDIE NIAGARA UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Saturday Dec 2016

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

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norman

Cost: $39.95 (Clearance price: $31.40)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Norman Hardie
Alcohol: 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

One of Ontario’s best Chards

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features buttered toast, oak, lemon, green apple, pineapple, nectarine, peach, cashews, dill, ginger, butterscotch and peat smoke on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Priced on the higher end, but well worth it.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Sauteed Chilean Sea Bass with Ginger Poached Pears.

Tasted: 3 December 2016

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 184432

MALIVOIRE CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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malivoire

Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until 1 Jan 2017: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Malivoire
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Tangy & bright with a nice balance of the oak

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features mild toasted oak, lemon, yellow apple, pineapple, clementine, honeydew melon, pear, dill and butterscotch. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Aged Cheddar Fondue with Grilled Tomatoes, Bacon and Shallots.

Tasted: 2 December 2016

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

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

LCBO: 573147

CREEKSIDE ESTATE THE TRAD 2011, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

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

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No Unauthorized Reproduction @Jason Dziver

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance Price: $18.25)
Grape: 56% Pinot Noir, %44 Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Creekside Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style that is complex, smooth & delicious

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mouse. This wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon pie, pear, green apples, honey, ginger, dill and honeydew on the nose. Medium+ body, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Fresh Baked Clams.

Tasted: 30 October 2016

Best buy and 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: 390336

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

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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

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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

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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