Category Archives: Canadian Wines

CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN BLANC DE BLANCS, NV, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

06 Sunday Apr 2025

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

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Cost: $32.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cave Spring
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant Traditional Method Brut style sparkling wine that is very versatile with food pairings. 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: Lemon zest, yellow plums, green & golden apples, light brioche, butter toasted bread & roasted almonds.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Point: “Bottle fermented in the Traditional Method from Chardonnay, it was aged sur lie for a minimum of 26 months prior to disgorging, resulting in a dry brut style sparkling wine exhibiting delicate effervescence and mineral nuances reflective of its origins.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Oyster Rockefeller.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 30, 2025

LCBO: 213983

13th STREET WINERY ESSENCE SYRAH 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complexed, smooth, elegant brimming with fruits & spiciness. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing Cherries, plums, mulberries, dark chocolates, Allspice, vanilla, white & black peppers, cloves, cinnamon & baby arugula.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Point: “Sourced mainly from the Wismer Vineyard in Vineland with a small amount from AJ Lepp nearer to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Manually harvested in late October and moved to the winery immediately for sorting, crushing and destemming followed by cold soaking to extract the bright fruit and floral notes. Fermentation and maceration in stainless steel tanks lasted roughly 21 days and the wine was moved to 100% French oak barrels consisting of primarily 2nd and 3rd use with some older wood. After malolactic fermentation was completed, the wine rested on fine lees with regular racking for 14 months when the final blend was conceived and the wine was bottled.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Pig.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 27, 2025

STATUS CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

11 Tuesday Mar 2025

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

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Cost: $35.20 (Clearance price: $28.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Stratus
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Complexed yet elegant full body Chard that’s cream with a nice balance between the oak & fruit. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, peach, pear, mango, buttered toast, honeycomb, vanilla, almonds, dill, ginger, oak spice & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Unfiltered

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with snow crab legs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 10, 2025

LCBO: 267856

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