Category Archives: Canadian Wines

SOUTHBROOK WITNESS BLOCK, CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ, 2021, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Monday Oct 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $34.80
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 10.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting & different style rosé. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Red copper in colour with good acidity, low+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, cranberry, watermelon, rhubarb, Button mushrooms & thyme.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic & Vegan

Winemaker’s Note: “Grapes were hand-harvested and whole clusters were sorted and loaded directly into the press. Slower, gentler cycle allowed for colour extraction from grape skins. Cold juice settling and racking was followed by wild fermentation in old, neutral oak barrels. Alcoholic fermentation spanned two months and finished dry with no malolactic fermentation to preserve acidity. Bentonite fining was used prior to sterile filtration and bottling.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Turkey dinner (Happy Thanksgiving!).

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: October 14, 2024

HENRY OF PELHAM SPARKLING WINE, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

13 Sunday Oct 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale price until Oct 13, 2024: $15.95)
Grape: Blend of white grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A great Canadian alternative to Prosecco. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine to medium mousse, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, peach & pear.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: New to LCBO stores

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes used in this blend were picked in late September to obtain the perfect balance between acidity and sugar. The base wine was fermented cool to preserve aromatics with no malolactic fermentation done in order to maintain freshness. Secondary fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks to produce elegant bubbles. Minimum 30 days aging on lees.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Charcuterie Board.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 13, 2024

LCBO: 37965

SOUTHBROOK WHIMSY LIMITED EDITION CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

29 Sunday Sep 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $37.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A musky style, quality but at a price. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, cantaloupe, blood orange, guava, vanilla & musk.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand-harvested from a unique Chardonnay clonal planting in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation. Grapes were gently pressed using a long and slow press cycle. Settled juice was transferred to French oak barrels (20% new) for 10 months of aging before bottling.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Tandoori chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: September 27, 2024

13th STREET WINERY SANDSTONE GAMAY 2022, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Tuesday Sep 2024

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality Gamay at a price. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, nectarine, raspberry, white pepper, baby spinach & peat moss on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Vegan friendly & certified sustainable

Winemaker’s Note: “Sourced from our own Whitty Vineyard in Creek Shores, Sandstone, our top Gamay, is selected from new and seasoned French oak barrels after 12 months of ageing. The grapes were harvested in early October at an average of 19.5° brix. Crushed and destemmed before cold soak, followed by alcoholic fermentation and maceration in stainless steel over 30 days. After pressing, the wine was transferred to a selection of French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and ageing. The wine was lightly fined and filtered prior to bottling in February 2023.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Fired Roasted Glazed Salmon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: Sept 22, 2024

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST GAMAY NOIR 2022, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Tuesday Aug 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $32.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice juicy Gamay Noir with expressive fruits. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, pomegranate, watermelon, raspberry, white pepper, cedar, fresh cut violets & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note:

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Turkey with Chestnut stuffing.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: Aug 25, 2024

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY PINOT GRIS ROSÉ 2023, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Aug 2024

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious dry rosé with substance that you can enjoy year-round, but so nice drinking on a patio. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light rose gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainier cherries, strawberries, Macintosh apples, white peach & wet stones.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The pinot gris was picked and sent direct to press to only allow minimal time on skins, but a perfect hint of colour. The wine was fermented using an aromatic, rose yeast to pull out only the best aromas and flavours from the juice and skins. It was fermented cold, to retain freshness and provide the perfect hue for patio season!”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with lamb souvlaki.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 15, 2024

13th STREET WINERY PINOT GRIS 2023, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

06 Tuesday Aug 2024

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant, beautifully made showing nice citric fruit & acidity. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon-lime, honeydew melon, pear, pitahaya, shale & white rose on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Vegan friendly

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Barramundi.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 4, 2024

THE FARM PINOT NOIR 2022, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Monday Aug 2024

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

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Cost: $28.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: The Farm
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing & sour cherries, cranberry, pomegranate, rhubarb, roasted beets, Button mushrooms & peat moss on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note:

Winemaker’s Note: “Made from a blend of Pinot Noir from select vineyards across Niagara. After fermentation, the wine was aged in French Oak Burgundy barrels (228L) for 14 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 7 – 9 years on its own or pair it with Salmon Poke.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Aug 4, 2024

SOUTHBROOK PINOT NOIR LAUNDRY VINEYARD 2021, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Jul 2024

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive, vibrant Pinot. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainier cherries, cranberries, rhubarb, nutmeg, cloves & Oyster mushrooms.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic & sustainable

Winemaker’s Note: “Whole clusters were manually sorted and 30% by weight went straight into an open top fermenter. The remaining 70% were destemmed, leaving many whole berries and allowed to ferment in an open top oak fermenter. After pressing the wine was transferred to French oak barrels for 10 months of aging before bottling.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Escargot

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 23, 2024

THE FARM CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Jul 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $25.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: The Farm
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Vibrant & full of nice citric fruits, spice & integrated oak. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Yellow gold in colour with good acidity, low to medium intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, honeycomb, vanilla, oak spice, ginger, dill, limestone.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: Unfiltered

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Alaskan King Crab legs

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 19, 2024