• Profile
  • Services Available
  • Advertising Available

Twilight Wines

~ Making Your Wine Experience Even More Enjoyable

Twilight Wines

Category Archives: Canadian Wines

13TH STREET PINK PALETTE ROSÉ 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula , Ontario

08 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by Twilight Wines in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Rosés, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


13th Street Pink Palette Rosé 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula Bottle

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Riesling
Category: Rosé Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Thirteenth Street Wine Corp.
Alcohol: 12.5 %
Description: A beautiful rich pomegranate colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Probably the best rosé I have tasted from Canada. Features strawberry, pomegranate, watermelon, cranberry, Bing & sour cherry. Medium body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I used the Viognier glass which brought out the best in this wine.

Drink now on its own or pair it with pork chops with a sweet & spicy rub.

Tasted: 7 Jun 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 275834

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

PELEE ISLAND GAMAY NOIR ZWEIGELT 2009, VQA Ontario

31 Thursday May 2012

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Pelee Island Gamay Noir Zweigelt 2009, Ontario VQA Bottle

Cost: $10.95
Grape Variety: Gamay Noir, Zweigelt
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Vineyard Inc.
Alcohol: 13.0 %
Description: Medium minus ruby in colour a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Smokey nose featuring blackberries, mulberries, raspberry, cherry, lime & peppers. The taste shows similar notes. Medium minus body with low tannins, good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: Have this wine slightly chilled.

Drink now on its own or pair it with hummus.

Tasted: 29 May 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 216028

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

MAGNOTTA IL CACCIATORE GRAND RISERVA 2008,

26 Saturday May 2012

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $26
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère

Category: White Wine
Appellation: Magnotta
Country: Unknown
Region: 

Format: 750 mL
Producer:  Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Medium minus garnet with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, cassis, plum, blackberry, black cherry, chocolate, blackcurrant, mesquite and tamarind on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Things: A nice looking bottle with artist Follente’s work on the label. A collector’s addition.

Tasted: 26 May 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4


Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT METHODE TRADITIONELLE NV, VQA, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

15 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

≈ 1 Comment


CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT METHODE TRADITIONELLE VQA

Cost: $22.95 (on sale: $20.95)
Grape Variety: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wines
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Chateau Des Charmes
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw colour with fine mousse & medium intensity on the nose.

Positives: Lighter champagne style featuring lemon, baked apple, limestone, pear, biscuit with light toast.

Good acidity with medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I had it for Mother’s Day & my mom loved it. My wife and I had it for brunch on 21 May 12, and she really liked it too.

Drink now on its own or with fresh oysters.

Tasted: 13 May 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 145409

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

LE CLOS JORDANNE CLAYSTONE TERRACE CHARDONNAY, 2008 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula

12 Saturday May 2012

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Chardonnay 2008 Bottle

Cost: $40.00
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vincor International Inc.
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Rich gold in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positive: A complex wine featuring medium toasted oak, butter corn, lime, musky wood spice, butterscotch, walnut, apricots, quince & limestone. Medium+ body, good acidity, alcohol is well integrated & long length.

Negatives: A little sourness on the finish.

Interesting Point: I recommend the larger Chard glass as it cuts the bitterness that a smaller glass will accentuate. I lucked out & bought this wine at LCBO for $28.05.

Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or paired with surf & turf.

Tasted: 11 May 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (on sale: 9+/10), Score: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 56929

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

INNISKILLIN OAKED CHARDONNAY CORE SERIES VQA, 2010 Niagara Peninsula

15 Thursday Mar 2012

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

≈ Leave a comment


 

Inniskillin Oak Aged Chardonnay Core Series 2010, Niagara Peninsula Bottle

Cost: $14.95 (On sale at some LCBO $10.90)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin House Wines Inc
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Medium+ straw in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: The nose shows more citric & mineral notes than the taste. Aromas of apple, lemon, grapefruit, limestone &green banana. The taste is surprisingly better showing similar notes as the nose but having some creaminess associated to a mild buttery taste, mild toasted oak, plantain & a kiss of maple, just to add that Canadian touch. Medium+ body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: A little heat from the alcohol.

Interesting Note: Use the larger Chard glasses as that will bring out more of the creaminess of the wine.

Drink now or over the next to years on its own or match it with snow crab & drawn butter.

Tasted: 10 Mar 12

Best Buy (amazing buy at the sale price).

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 317768

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

LAILEY VINEYARD CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula

04 Sunday Mar 2012

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Lailey Vineyard Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2009, VQA Niagara River Bottle

Cost: $19.95 (sale $14.05)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lailey Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5 %
Description: Medium straw in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: An old world style chard showing chrysanthemums, lemon, green apples, mandarine, light oak, limestone & sweat peach on the nose.

Negatives: Not complex while showing a lot of citric flavours. The nose is the best part of this wine.

Interesting Thing: Made with Canadian oak.

Drink now on its own or pair chicken breast in a lemon/basil sauce.

Tasted: 24 Feb 12

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO#: 225474

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

NORMAN HARDIE UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2008 VQA Ontario

21 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Norman Hardie Unfiltered Chardonnay 2008, VQA Prince Edward County Bottle

Cost: $35.00 (sale $24.55)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hardie Wines
Alcohol: 11.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with medium+ nose.

Rich, smooth & complex wine whose taste come in waves. Medium toasty oak with buttery popcorn, lemon zest, tangarine, pineapple, limestone, nectarine, apricot, ginger, dill & butterscotch. Medium+ body, good acidity, extremely long length & unusual low alcohol for a chard of such richness.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: Use the smaller chard glasses to capture the complexity of this wine & be careful not to over chill it.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or with white tail tuna sashimi.

Tasted: 20 Feb 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+ (sale price 10/10 & a Best Buy), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO:# 184432

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

INNISKILLIN BRAE BLANC RESERVE VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

19 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Inniskillin Brae Blanc 2009 Bottle

Cost: $11.70
Grape Variety: 42 % Gewurztraminer, 40% Chardonnay and 18% Riesling
Category: White Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jackson-Triggs Winery
Alcohol: 13,5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Light and crisp despite the wood aging and 13% alcohol. Notes of green apple, lemon, lychee, wet stone, white peach and floral notes. Medium to medium minus body, good acidity and medium+ length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The wines used in the blend were fermented separately and blended after ageing. The Gewurztraminer and Riesling were cool fermented in stainless steel. Following fermentation, nearly 30% of this wine was aged for 3 months in new French Oak barrels. The Chardonnay used in this wine was barrel fermented in new and used French and American oak. The chardonnay underwent partial malolactic fermentation and was aged for 6 months in the same barrels.” (Inniskillin Winery). Product is de-listed from LCBO but you can still find this wine.

Drink now on its own or pair it with plain potato chips.

Tasted: 18 Feb 12

Score: 8.5+, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO:# 109975 (Product being discontinued)

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

TRIUS WHITE 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Canada

12 Sunday Feb 2012

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $16.95 (Sale)
Grape Variety: White blend
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hillebrand Estates
Alcohol: 13.1 %
Description: Medium straw colour with high intensity on the nose.

Positives: What a beautiful nose showing spring flower blossoms, lychee, peach, apricot, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, lemon, golden apple & light oak. The taste is smooth & very easy to drink. Be careful because before you know it you’ll be in your second & third bottle. Actually that might be a good thing lol. The taste comes in waves showing lychee, peach, green & golden apples, honeydew melon, apricot, cantaloupe, light oak, lemon, limestone, mandarine & orange rind on the finish. Medium minus body, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: A complex wine for under $20.

Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ pork ribs.

Tasted: 9 Feb 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO# 54957

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...
← Older posts
Newer posts →

Edward Rasiulis: Certified Sommelier

What is Twilight Wines?

Twilight is sometimes defined as when something is approaching its end, especially in a gentle or peaceful way. It is universally known as that optimum moment between day and night, light and darkness. Twilight is that point when we have learned the lessons we are apt to learn and have spun our last breath, and told our last tale: our twilight years. It is that moment when everything and everyone is at its finest, when the earth and all its occupants pause for just a fraction of time in anticipation of what comes next. That is the moment at which all wine should be drank and with a little insight and a lot of luck, fate will allow us the moment in which this will occur. The luck my friend’s is totally of your own creation. Here in my domain, Twilight wines. I will endeavour to impart that insight.

Wine Categories

  • Amazing Buys
  • Best Buys
  • Canadian Wines
  • Champagne
  • Fortified & Desert Wine
  • Highly Recommended
  • Non LCBO Wine
  • Not Recommended
  • On The Fence
  • Organic/Sustainability
  • Recommended
  • Red Wines
  • Rosés
  • Sparkling Wine
  • Tasting Events
  • Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding
  • Vegan Friendly
  • White Wines
  • Winery Review Series
    • 13th Street Winery
    • Colaneri Winery
    • Country Vine Winery
    • Gray Monk Winery
    • Hope Family Wines
    • Icellars
    • Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
    • Kin Vineyards
    • Niagara College Teaching Winery
    • Rossignol Winery
    • Sono Montenidoli di Maria Elisabetta Fagiuoli

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 51 other subscribers

Blog Stats

  • 100,803 hits

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Subscribe Subscribed
    Twilight Wines
    Join 51 other subscribers

    Have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.

  • Twilight Wines
    View site in Reader
    Manage subscriptionsSign upLog in
    Report this content
    Collapse this bar
%d