Category Archives: Canadian Wines

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES PINOT BLANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2015

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Magnotta Pinot Blanc

Cost: $9.15 (On sale April 2015, $8.45)
Grape Variety: Pinot Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

If you’re looking for something different in whites that’s Canadian, try this versatile crisp wine.

Description: Light gold in colour with a low intense nose. This wine features lemon rind, passion fruit, honeydew melon and grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Not too many 2013 left as 2014 is now on their shelves.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Orange, Walnut, Gorgonzola and Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette.

Tasted: 7 April 2015

Best Buy

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

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

KEINT-HE VOYAGEUR PINOT NOIR 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Sunday Apr 2015

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Keint-He

Cost: $18.00
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Keint-He Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex, simple, but very nice. One of the best Canadian Pinot’s for under $20

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, nutmeg and light earthy notes. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Roasted Pork Loin with Raspberry Chipotle Glaze.

Tasted: 3 April 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 373407

MAGNOTTA GRAN RESERVA MERITAGE 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

31 Tuesday Mar 2015

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Magnotta Meritage

Cost: $29.20
Grape Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Wines
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 15.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Big, bold, beautiful & quality that’s rare in Ontario reds under $30

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, mulberry, dark cherry, raspberry, cassis, anise, cinnamon, cloves, Allspice, eucalyptus, nutmeg, turmeric and leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Recommended serving temperature is 12-16 C or 54-61 F

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Beef Tenderloin in Cherry Black Pepper Sauce.

Tasted: 28 March 2015

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

REDSTONE CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Thursday Mar 2015

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Redstone

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

If you like grapefruit, you’ll love this wine

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features grapefruit, lemon, green apple, pear and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Too much sourness

Interesting Note: This wine was aged in 12 months in French oak, yet on taste very little or no oak detected. I may have had a dud.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with snapper ceviche.

Tasted: 4 March 2015

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

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

LCBO: 398966

MAGNOTTA MOSCATO SUPERIORE CHARMAT METHOD NV, VQA, Ontario, Canada

04 Wednesday Mar 2015

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Moscato

Cost: $8.15
Grape Variety: Moscato
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

I would put this Canadian Moscato against the best Italian ones any day

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse, which I found pleasantly surprising. This sparkling wine features a beautiful white flower and peach nose followed by sweet peach, orange, pink grapefruit and juicy Spy apple. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Not overly sweet, very pleasant

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with orange juice or peach juice to make some excellent Mimosas or Bellinis

Tasted: 1 March 2015

Amazing and Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

QUAILS’ GATE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Okanaga Valley, British Columbia, Canada

15 Sunday Feb 2015

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Quails Gate

Cost: $21.95 (Clearance: $15.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quails’ Gate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of my favourite Canadian Chards, and probably the best for under $22

Description: Light gold to straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, kiwi, dill, ginger, pineapple, hazelnuts, crème brûlée, flint and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Don’t over chill, as you’ll loose the essence of this wine.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Tuna Tartare on a bed of Avocado Brunoise, drizzled in Sweet & Sour Sauce, WhiteTruffle Oil and Red Caviar

Tasted: 14 Feb 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 377770

KEINT-HE VOYAGEUR CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Saturday Feb 2015

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Keint

Cost: $16.00
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Keint-He Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A versatile chard that shows good balance between oak, fruit and minerality

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, butterscotch and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: There’s heat from the 13% alcohol

Interesting Notes: Don’t over chill, as the underlying flavours such as butterscotch don’t come up when it’s too cold, and use the larger New World or Montrachet Chard glasses. In addition, I like the aged parchment label.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with grilled shrimp in grapefruit BBQ sauce.

Tasted: 27 Jan 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 16/20

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

LCBO: 389544

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR RESERVE 2010, VQA Ontario, Canada

17 Saturday Jan 2015

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Henry of Pelham

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Consistently, Canada’s best Baco Noir is Henry of Pelham’s reserve

Positives: Deep ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose. This complex wine features cedar, smoky embers, peppercorns, Gaeta olives, bacon, prunes, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, black currants, blueberry, chocolate, Portobello mushrooms & leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I recommend using a Pinot glass and lightly chill it.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Elk steak with mushrooms and roasted peppers.

Tasted: 13 Jan 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19/20

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

LCBO: 461699

RAVINE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

12 Monday Jan 2015

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No Unauthorized Reproduction @Jason Dziver

Cost: $24.00
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Canada
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ravine Vineyard
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Beyond the nose, this is a very nice, smooth Chard

Description: Light bright gold in colour with medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, green and yellow apples, papaya, pear, and light oak spice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Acetic notes on the nose

Interesting Note: Works with both New and Old World style Chard glasses, but I give the edge to the New World, which gives it more creaminess.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own.  Pairs amazingly well with with green papaya chicken curry cooked over a wood stove.

Tasted: 6 Jan 2015

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

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

RED ROOSTER PINOT NOIR 2012, VQA Naramata, British Columbia, Canada

12 Monday Jan 2015

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No Unauthorized Reproduction @Jason Dziver

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $11.75)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Naramata, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ravine Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice smooth, smoky, earthy, full flavoured Pinot for under $20

Description: Medium light garnet with some ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked cedar, black cherry, raspberry, cranberry compote, cinnamon, cloves and autumn leaves. Medium+ body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: It’s a steal if you can get it for the clearance price

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with cedar plank salmon

Tasted: 7 Jan 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 628347