Category Archives: Canadian Wines

VIENI PRIVATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

06 Thursday Mar 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $24.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Time to drink this now as the oak is over powering the fruit. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Deep gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, grainy tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, pineapple, peach, kumquat, roasted almonds, oak spice, ginger, Chinese 5 spices

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Cellared for 24 months in new French oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at Clearance price

Tasted: March 5, 2025

LCBO: 520247

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY, BLANC DE NOIRS, MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE, 2019, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

24 Monday Feb 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $40.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Medium body yet full flavoured sparkling with a nice depth. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Buttered toast, lemon zest, peach, pear, MacIntosh apples & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Sparkling wine was aged for 54 months on lees. The grapes were gently whole cluster pressed to avoid any pick-up of colours or hard phenolics. It was fermented in stainless steel for its primary ferment, and then was placed in a 750mL for tirage and secondary fermentation and aging.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 8 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Maritime lobster & crêpes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 23, 2025

KEW VINEYARDS MARSANNE 2020, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Feb 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $17.40 (Clearance price: $13.95)
Grape: Marsanne
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville, Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kew Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a complex wine, but it’s full body, silky smooth & something different from the regular Ontario white wines. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: deep straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, peach pit, pear and apples,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with shrimp tempura

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 16, 2025

LCBO: 485334

KACABA RESERVE MERLOT 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

12 Wednesday Feb 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $ 69.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A full body, expressive Merlot showing great taste & depth. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plums, strawberries, blueberries, figs, spinach leaves, cassis, anise, pencil shavings, cocoa, baking spice & vanilla

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: French & American oak barrels for 17 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 8 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 11, 2025

NIAGARA TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST BLANC DE BLANCS 2019, MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

10 Monday Feb 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $ 35.18
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This new vintage, traditional method Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine has risen to the top of my favourites for Canadian production. It shows crispness & finesse along with good value. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, toast, lemon, pear, green apples & almonds.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “This wine was gently whole cluster pressed to avoid any hard phenolics and maintain a clean, neutral based wine.  It was fermented in stainless steel for primary fermentation and was but on tirage or secondary fermentation in 2020.  This 100% Chardonnay based wine was aged on lees for 54 months.” 

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 6 – 8 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 9, 2025

CLOSSON CHASE, THE BROCK CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Niagara River, Ontario, Canada

11 Saturday Jan 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $22.10
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Closson Chase
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Balanced Chard between oak & steel tank. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, golden apples, yellow plums, kiwi, marzipan, oak spice & Gorse flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 7, 2025

LCBO: 20899

FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Monday Dec 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $22.10 (Sale price until Jan 5, 2025: $20.10)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Burgundian style at a great price for Ontario Pinot Noir. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, cranberries, black currants, oyster mushrooms, forest floor, light smoke amber on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand-picked, hand-sorted, small batch ferment, French oak barrels.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Duck with Honey, Soy, and Ginger.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 22, 2024

LCBO: 1545

SOUTHBROOK WHIMSY OLD VINE MERLOT 2020, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Monday Dec 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $39.65
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better made Canadian Merlot showing elegance, beautiful fruit & balance. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, bramble fruit, cocoa, graphite, baby spinach,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand harvested from the Laundry vineyard located in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation. Grapes were destemmed and crushed before indigenous fermentation and malolactic conversion in oak vat. Following a total maceration time of 20 days, the grapes were gently pressed, and the wine settled before barrel aging for 15 months. Two barrels were selected (one of which was new oak) and blended to create this SIP club selection wine.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with tenderloin steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 14, 2024

THE GRANGE OF PRINCE EDWARD, COUNTY CHARDONNAY, 2022, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

04 Wednesday Dec 2024

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

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Cost: $35.20 (Clearance Price: $24.70)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Grange Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made, elegant, well-balanced Chard. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, mangos, yellow plums, golden apples, pear, peach, ginger, dill & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting: At the winery, cost is $31.00

Winemaker’s Note: “This elegant, terroir driven Chard is part of our Farmer’s Series, which celebrates the friendships we have with other farmers, growers, and vineyards across Ontario.10 Months in French Oak (1/3 new barrel)”. Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Lobster Tail Pasta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: Nov 29, 2024

LCBO: 38305

DELPHINE ROSÉ, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

30 Saturday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $22.00
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Cab Franc rosé bursting with red fruits & some herbaceous notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cranberry, strawberry, raspberry, MacIntosh apple, dried herbs, eucalyptus & white peppers.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “6-hour skin maceration, fermented using select yeast. Complete malolactic fermentation.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with pork souvlaki.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 29, 2024