Category Archives: Canadian Wines

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés

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rose_eq_pinotnoirrose

Cost: $9.95 (Sale price until 31 July 2016: $8.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Still reigning champion for best rosé for under $10

Description: Pale salmon in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, Macoun apple, nectarine, rhubarb and light peat moss on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try it with a Pinot Noir style glassware; you won’t be disappointed. See my previous review that I did in 2014 of the 2013 vintage.

Drink now or in the next 2 of years, on its own or pair it with Grilled Pork Chops with Orange Peppers.

Tasted: 26 July 2016

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price: 10/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

SELKIE FRIZZANTE 2014, Malagash, Nova Scotia, Canada

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Selkie

Cost: $16.75
Grape: Nova Scotia blend of grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Malagash
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jost Wines
Alcohol: 8.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Reminds me of a sweet non-alcoholic sparkling wine you get at a supermarket

Description: Yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features orange, mango, yellow apples, bubble gum and orange blossoms on the nose. Medium body with fair acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Too sweet for me, even as an aperitif

Interesting Note: Selkies are mythological creatures found in Scottish, Irish, and Faroese folklore. Selkies are said to live as seals in the sea, but shed their skin to transform into their human form on land, dance along the moonlit shores, bask in the sun on outlying skerries, and be with their human loves.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Brioche Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

Tasted: 24 July 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LCBO: 441899

CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE NV, VQA, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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chateau des charmes

Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Des Charmes Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Solid, easy drinking sparkling wine made in the traditional style at a fair price

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toast, lemon, green apples, pear, lime, peach and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 of years, on its own or pair it with Seared Scallops.

Tasted: 24 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 224766