Category Archives: Canadian Wines

MAGNOTTA CRACKLING GAMAY ROSÉ NV, Charmat Method, VQA, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Sep 2014

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Magnotta Gamay

Cost: $10.15 (Sale price September 2014: $8.15)
Grape Variety: Gamay Noir
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 11.9% Alcohol/Vol.

An off dry spritzer that’s a really nice wine to bring to a party

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a low intense nose and creamy mousse. The simple but flavourful wine features strawberry and cherry. Medium+ body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Cayman Style Ceviche (Fresh Snapper, Vinegar, Lime Juice, Tomato, Red Onion, Cilantro & Scotch Bonnet)

Tasted: 11 Sept 2014

Best Buy

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

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

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE DRY GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2010, VQA, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Sep 2014

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Magnotta Gewurtz

Cost: $14.15 (Sale price September 2014: $12.15)
Grape Variety: Gewürztraminer
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An impressive Gewürz from Niagara Peninsula

Description: Deep gold in colour with a highly intense nose. The wine features lychee, granny smith apples and lemon meringue pie. Full body with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Gary Parker’s Pad Thai

Tasted: 8 Sept 2014

Best Buy (Amazing Buy at the sale price)

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

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

MAGNOTTA EQUIUS SERIES GAMAY NOIR 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

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Magnotta Gamay Noir

Cost: $10.15 ($9.15 on sale for September 2014)
Grape Variety: Gamay
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beaujolais Nouveau? Bah humbug. Try this Gamay, you won’t regret it

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This may not be a complex wine, but it full flavoured. The wine features cherry, rhubarb, smoked wood and a mild bubble gum finish. Medium to light body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill it like a Pinot to 15 degrees

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with roast beef in cherry balsamic sauce.

Tasted: 6 Sept 2014

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES TRIONFO 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Friday Aug 2014

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Trionfo

Cost: $8.55 (On sale if you buy a case it comes out to $7.55/bottle)
Grape Variety: Baco Noir, Maréchal Foch, Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Well this is a really pleasant surprise. An easy drinking, vibrant, red fruit wine with no negatives and under $9!

Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features red currants, wild raspberry, mild Christmas cake, smoke ambers and dried herbs. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: – Chill the wine to 15 C and use a Pinot Noir glass
                         – I like the saying on the back label: ” I see the horse not just as a thing of beauty but also a soul mate” 

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with Speck, Brie and Arugula pizza. (FYI Ragazzi at Grand Cayman makes the best)

Tasted: 20 Aug 2014

Amazing and Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

MAGNOTTA VIDAL CLASSIC 2013, Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Aug 2014

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Magnotta Vidal

Cost: $9.15
Grape Variety: Vidal
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 12.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A Spumante but with a bit more oomph

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a creamy mousse. This simple but flavorful wine features Anjou pears, Spy apples, orange and honeydew melon. Full body with good acidity and a good long length

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or add orange or peach juice.

Tasted: 18 Aug 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

CLOSSON CHASE S. KOCSIS VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2009, VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada

20 Wednesday Aug 2014

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closson_skocsis

Cost: $34.95 (Clearance $24.50)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Closson Chase
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A premium Ontario Chard that can compete with the best in California, but not have their price tag

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This intense, edgy and complex wine features medium toasted oak, butter, lemon custard, crème brûlée, peach, granny apple, toffee, apricot, dill, creamed corn, tea leaf and pink grapefruit. Full body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: Closson Chase is one of my favourite Ontario wineries that produce full body Chards. This wine worked well in both Montrachet style glassware as well as in the cooler climate one.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Fettuccine Alfredo with blackened chicken.

Tasted: 16 Aug 2014

Best Buy at clearance price

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance: 9.5+/10) Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 184291

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION SHIRAZ 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Tuesday Jul 2014

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l_leshiraz10

Cost: $18.15
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid well balanced Canadian Rhône style wine

Description: Deep bright ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, violets, black & white peppers, plums, loganberry, arugula, ash and sage. Full body with soft tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Naming the wine Shiraz instead of Syrah

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or and pair it with peppercorn steak.

Tasted: 26 July 2014

Best Buy

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

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

HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Wednesday Jul 2014

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Henry of Pelham Chard

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A symbiotic quartet is created from the harmonious combination of oak, fruit, acidity and creaminess.

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This creamy wine features light oak, lemon, Bosc pear, apple, honeydew melon, honeysuckle, ginger and nutmeg. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the cooler climate Chard glass.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with steamed snow crab.

Tasted: 16 July 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 26842

MAGNOTTA BLANC DE NOIRS NV, Méthode Classique, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Sunday Jul 2014

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d_swbldenoir

Cost: $21.15
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir with a dosage of Cabernet Franc Icewine
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Salmon in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse.

A simple sparkling with nice flavours & easy to drink

Positives: This wine features MacIntosh apples, strawberry, raspberry, cantaloupe and a hint of honey. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1. It was better in a wider base Champagne/Sparkling glass than the slimmer style. 2. Made with a touch of icewine.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or and pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops served on a bed of cantaloupe with caramelized shallots.

Tasted: 13 July 2014, Congrats to Germany on their World Cup Win!

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18+/20

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

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Thursday Jun 2014

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Magnotta Chard

Cost: $17.15
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep light gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

Hard to find vintage, but worth it if you find it

Positives: This wine features light oak, oak spice, lemon, papaya, nectarine, honeydew melon and limestone. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the smaller cool climate Chard glass.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Caprese Salad.

Tasted: 25 June 2014

Best Buy

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

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