Category Archives: Canadian Wines

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAYS 2019 VS 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Wednesday Jul 2024

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

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SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Pennisula, Ontario, Canada
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Expressive yet an elegant Chard. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pear, green apples, kumquat, ginger, almonds & white lilies on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Vegan & Certified Organic

Winemaker’s Note: “A regional blend of Chardonnay from our Organic grower partners. All lots were gently pressed to yield delicate juice. Slightly settled juice was transferred to 300L neutral French oak barrels for wild fermentation, including malolactic, light oak spice and aged for 10 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with East Coast Lobster

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 29, 2024

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Pennisula, Ontario, Canada
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Expressive yet an elegant Chard. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pear, green apples, kumquat, ginger, dill, almonds, light oak spice & Acacias on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Vegan & Certified Organic

Winemaker’s Note: “A regional blend of Chardonnays from organic growers. Harvested at several dates throughout October 2020. Grapes were whole cluster pressed and fermented in neutral 300L barrels. Malolactic fermentation was followed by 10 months aging before bottling prior to harvest 2021”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with East Coast Lobster

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 29, 2024

SOUTHBROOK KELTA VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Jun 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, Canada
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple yet elegant Chard. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pear, green apples, kumquat, ginger & roasted almonds.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Vegan & Certified Organic

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand harvested from a mixed clonal block of old vines (25 years old) in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub appellation. Whole clusters were gently pressed using a long and slow press cycle. Settled juice was transferred to French oak barrels (20% new) for fermentation. The wine was aged in barrels for 10 months before a select few were chosen to make this blend.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Miso & Soy Chilean Sea Bass

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 23, 2024

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC SPARKLING WINE, NV, VQA, Ontario, Canada

25 Tuesday Jun 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Vidal
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, light style Charmat sparkling wine that would be versatile in making cocktail drinks. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lime, pear, green apples & radicchio.

Negatives: Overpriced

Interesting Note: Vegan & Certified Organic

Winemaker’s Note: “Estate grown biodynamic Vidal was picked and quickly pressed to produce a base wine for second-ever Charmat bubbly. Using a special Champagne press cycle where only 50% of the yield is taken to ensure the brightest acidity, the resulting juice was fermented with cooler temperatures to maintain the tropical fruit character of Vidal. Base wine underwent secondary fermentation in tank with 6g RS leftover to create balance in the wine.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with truffle oil French fries

My Opinion: On the fence

Tasted: June 23, 2024

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE PINOT NOIR 2021, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Sunday Jun 2024

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

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Pinot 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.

A simple & clean Pinot that nice to drink. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, a low to medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, cranberry, oak spice & some peatmoss on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 21, 2024

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2023, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Jun 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: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Tavel style rosé without the high alcohol associated with Tavel’s. This rosé is bold & full of flavour. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright cranberry in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainer cherries, strawberry, cranberry, watermelon & fresh cut red roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: Direct to press after 12 hours on skins.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with Mesquite chicken wings.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 20, 2024

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY PINOT NOIR 2020, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Jun 2024

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Fruit driven Pinot featuring mouth-watering berries. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby garnet in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, cranberries, raspberries, beets, vanilla and earth notes on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Wild Pheasant In Mushroom and Wine Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 12, 2024

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2021, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

11 Tuesday Jun 2024

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: $39.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Pinot Noirs from Ontario showing traditional Burgundian style with elegance, a delicate taste but full of flavour. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, red currants, Champagne mushrooms, Chinese 5 spices, vanilla and peat moss on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Sourced from our own Whitty Vineyard in Creek Shores. After harvest in early October, the grapes were crushed and destemmed before being transferred to open-top fermenters for approximately 30 days of alcoholic fermentation on the skins with regular pigeage to gently extract tannin and colour. Following fermentation, the wine was pressed off the skins and transferred to 1st, 2nd and 3rd use French barriques for 15 months of ageing. A selection of a few barrels went for more aging after racking in old 500-litre French oak. The wine was lightly fined and filtered before bottling in February 2022.”

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 10, 2024

HENRY OF PELHAM THREE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

15 Monday Apr 2024

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale Price until April 28, 2024: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham Estate
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Canadian Chard under $20. Excellent balance between oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, quince, dill, ginger, oak spice, vanilla, roasted almonds & jasmine on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I reviewed 2019 vintage, and was not too crazy about it, and it was selling for $21.95. Now, now only is it $2 less, but the quality is exceptional.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 11, 2024

LCBO: 268342

MISSION HILL RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

03 Saturday Feb 2024

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

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Cost: $26.95 (Clearance Price: $21.75)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant Chard that is well balanced between fruit, acidity, minerality & oak. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, ginger, dill & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Maturation: Fermented and aged in barriques and puncheons (93%), 6% Foudre and 1% concrete egg

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Fettuccine with creamy dill sauce with shrimp, bay scallops and sea leg crab.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at Clearance Price

Tasted: February 1, 2024

LCBO: 545004

ORGANIZED CRIME PETIT VERDOT UNFILTERED 2020, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

08 Monday Jan 2024

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

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Cost: $54.95
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Organized Crime
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Bold but at the same time elegant. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, fine grained tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, black cherry, dried cranberry, blueberry, cloves, cinnamon, cocoa, sage & violets on the nose.

Negatives: High alcohol

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged 18 months in older French Oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.”

Pairings: Decant for at least 1 hr, & drink this now or in 7 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Chipotle-Grilled Pork Shoulder Steaks with Corn Salsa.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: December 31, 2023