Category Archives: Canadian Wines

HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE BACO NOIR 2020, VQA Ontario, Canada

25 Monday Sep 2023

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently, Canada’s best Baco Noir is Henry of Pelham’s reserve. Score: 93/100

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features: cedar, smoky embers, Gaeta olives, bacon, prunes, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, black currants, blueberry, chocolate, Portobello mushrooms & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I recommend using a Pinot glass and lightly chill it to bring out the fruit flavours.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with a melody of olives in olive oil.

Top Pick

Tested: September 21, 2023

KEW VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY CUVÉE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Sep 2023

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

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Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kew Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant, classically style & all at a great price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, pear, green apples, lemon meringue, dill, oak spice & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon & chives.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: September 17, 2023

LCBO: 28978

13th STREET WINERY SYRAH 2021, VQA Ontario, Canada

20 Sunday Aug 2023

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: 90% Syrah 10% Viognier
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Northern Rhône style without the high alcohol. Well-made featuring a complex mix of red fruits & spice. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, rounded tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, pomegranate, Bing cherry, arugula, white & cracked pepper, rosemary, shale & Sarah Peony on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaking Notes: “100% destemmed grapes. Grapes went through one-week cold soak and three more weeks maceration before pressing. The first six months in small barrels 228 liter. After racking from lees, extra aging in 500-liter French oak old puncheon. A selection of a few barrels.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with BBQ lamb spiedini.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: August 19, 2023

STRATUS PETIT VERDOT 2019, VAQ Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Jul 2023

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

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Cost: $38.95 (Clearance Price: $27.30)
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Stratus
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Best Canadian Petit Verdot that I’ve tasted. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, rounded tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum, spearmint, dark chocolate, pencil shavings, Allspice,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Unfiltered

Pairings: Drink this now or in 7 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops with Garlic & Rosemary.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 27, 2023

LCBO: 142638

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

23 Sunday Jul 2023

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

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice clean, not aggressive Syrah that those that don’t like red wines may like this one. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, raspberry, cocoa, cloves, white pepper, baby spinach, & violets with light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Arabic coffee beef ribs with Pomegranate BBQ Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 17, 2023

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2022, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario

16 Sunday Jul 2023

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé 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.

Dry, crisp & full of flavour. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, cranberry, pink grapefruit, red currants, peach pit & cranberries on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: First wine produced for NC winery by winemaker Allison Findlay.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 -4 years on its own or pair it with Smoked salmon and cucumber canapés.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 4, 2023

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Friday Jul 2023

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

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, spicy Chard. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, kumquat, Golden apples, pear, white peach, toasted pineapple, ginger & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 11, 2023

DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITIONAL CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Sunday Jul 2023

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine Queylus
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice creamy Chard that’s balance with citric fruits. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, peach, green apple, pear, mandarin, almond, ginger, oak spice, limestone & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 -5 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass With Lemon, Dill & Caper Sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 8, 2023

LCBO: 417774

TAWSE SKETCHES CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Thursday Jul 2023

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

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Cost: $21.95 (Sale price until July 16, 2023: $19.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Tawse Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced chard with good fruit & spice. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, white peach, green apple, pear, honeydew melon, fresh fig, ginger & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Last time I reviewed this win was the 2009 vintage in 2013. The cost $19.95, which is the same as the cost now when it’s on sale.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 5, 2023

LCBO: 89037

13th STREET WINERY CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

01 Saturday Jul 2023

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: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Great year for wine in Niagara, great Chard at a great price. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pineapple, pear, peach, yellow plum, ginger, dill, oak spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Hand harvested in late September and early October and immediately full-cluster pressed, then fermented and aged in French oak barrels of a variety of sizes (225L, 400L and 500L) and a variety of ages, averaging 10% new oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 -6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Lobster Tails with Stelline and Lemon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 30, 2023