Category Archives: Canadian Wines

STREWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Strewn

Cost: $20.25
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Love the nose & although a tad astringent the taste is still quite good

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black & red currants, plum, cassis, cloves, cinnamon, bell pepper, dry herbs, tobacco leaves, leather and purple lilacs on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Decanting for min 30 minutes is recommended to smooth out the astringency.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Red Wine Braised Oxtail.

Tasted: 20 February 2016

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

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

LCBO: 426502

13th STREET CUVÉE ROSÉ BRUT NV, Methode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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13th

Cost: $24.95 (Sale until 28 Feb 2016: $22.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rustic rosé sparkling wine that has underlying charm.

Description: Rustic brick red in colour with a medium intense nose. This sparkling wine features light yeast, strawberry, McIntosh apples, truffles and forest greens. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Originally tasted in 2014, and this batch is better.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Mushroom and Prosciutto, Asparagus and Brie Tartines.

Tasted: 14 February 2016 (Happy Valentines Day)

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 147504

INNISKILLIN OKANAGAN ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

11 Monday Jan 2016

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Inniskillin BC

Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin Estates
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A spicy Chard that has lots of character & quality for under $15

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, MacIntosh apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I really like Inniskillin’s Niagara Peninsula Chard, same year, reviewed by me and this one takes it by a nose.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chicken with Creamy Dill Sauce.

Tasted: 6 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 423236

INNISKILLIN RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Sunday Jan 2016

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Inniskilin

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A truly enjoyable well balanced Chard with lots of finesse.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features lightly toasted oak, lemon, green & red apples, pineapple, oak spice, dill, some ginger and lightly buttered. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of the more enjoyable and better priced Ontario Chards.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor.

Tasted: 28 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 383562

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Saturday Jan 2016

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Southbrook

Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $16.15)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced & elegant Ontario chard with finesse that can go up against Napa Chards priced higher

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, green & Spy apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic grapes used and it’s a screw top. I was fortunate to find this wine at the clearance price, and bought the 7 bottles they had.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with escargot in garlic butter.

Tasted: 1 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 172338

FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Saturday Dec 2015

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Featherstone.

Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Featherstone Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting story, too bad the wine is also all about oak

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features toasted oak, lemon tarts, guava, passion fruit, oak spice, vanilla and taffy. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Too much oak and sour long finish

Interesting Note: Grapes sources from Niagara Peninsula, using wild fermented yeast and aged in local oaked barrels.

Drink now or in the next 3 years. Needs food so soften the wine up. Pair it with Chicken Alfredo with Nutmeg and Bacon.

Tasted: 25 Dec 2015

Score: 8+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 16.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

LCBO: 149302

MAGNOTTA 25th ANNIVERSARY RIESLING SPARKLING WINE 2014, Extra Dry, Charmat Method, VQA, Ontario, Canada

26 Saturday Dec 2015

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

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Magnotta Riesling Sparkling

Cost: $25.20 (Sale price December 2015 $15.20)
Grape: Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a complex sparkler, but nice & pleasant that comes in a pretty bottle

Description: Light yellow straw in colour with a medium nose and a fine mousse. This sparkling wine features lemon drops, clementine, honey and Ylang Ylang on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of the best Riesling Sparkling wines that I’ve tried. There’s a subtle undertone of Riesling Ice Wine

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Sticky, Crispy Honey Ginger Chicken Wings.

Tasted: 20 Dec 2015

Best Buy at sale price

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

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

GRANGE OF PRINCE EDWARD PINOT NOIR 2013, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

16 Monday Nov 2015

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Grange

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards & Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A lighter Old World style Pinot for under $20

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine displays a lot of earthy notes, Shitake mushrooms, forest floor, wet moss & twigs, followed by cranberry, sour cherry and Christmas cake. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This wine grows on you. Remember to lightly chill it.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Wild Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil.

Tasted: 12 Nov 2015

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

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

LCBO: 230227

G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

12 Thursday Nov 2015

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G Marquis

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Ontario
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple elegant Chardonnay.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features lemon, green apples, pink grapefruit and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: More Chablis style than Meursault

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Poached Halibut.

Tasted: 5 Nov 2015

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

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

LCBO: 258681

CHURCH and STATE MERLOT 2011, VQA Okanagan Valley, Sun Ridge Vineyard, British Columbia, Canada

02 Monday Nov 2015

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

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church

Cost: $19.90
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location British Columbia
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, Sun Ridge Vineyard
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Church & State Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but it’s juicy, well-balanced & delicious

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, ripe tamarind and spinach. Medium+ body with some green tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Not in LCBO

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Braised Short Ribs.

Tasted: 29 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4