Category Archives: Champagne

BATTLE OF CHAMPAGNES Part 1: TAITTINGER PRESTIGE ROSÉ vs BOLLINGER ROSÉ

29 Sunday Dec 2019

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TAITTINGER ROSÉ BRUT

$99.95

  

BOLLINGER ROSÉ BRUT

$113.95

 
40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier 62% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Meunier
Colour: Cherry-Salmon Colour: Pale copper
Cherry, strawberry, wild raspberry, blackberry, hazelnut, clementine, cherry tomatoes Apricots, apple (red & yellow), brioche, tangerine, peach,
Elegant, creamy Luminous, yeasty with good acidic
Pairs well with mussels in a red wine butter garlic broth Pairs well with Escargot in garlic butter sauce
Both complex in a different way Both complex in a different way

Winner: In a head to head comparison, in several different stemware, it was determined for pure drinkability that Bollinger came out ahead. However, in food pairings it was equally enjoyable depending on what you paired the Champagne with. For example, the Bollinger, being higher in acidity paired better with fatty foods. The creaminess of the Taittinger was the perfect foil for other milder savory food items.  Overall the Bollinger is slightly more expensive but worth the price, therefore the nod goes to Bollinger.

My opinion: Highly recommended for both

Top Pick for both

Tasted: December 29, 2019

L’HOSTE CHAMPANGE TRADITON BRUT NV, AOC Champagne, France

25 Wednesday Dec 2019

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Cost: $54.75 US (Sale price for December: $38.08 US)
Grape: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
Category: Champagne
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Père & Fils
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple yet classic Champagne

Positives: Bright gold in colour with fine mousse, this wine features yeast, brioche, white peach, apricot, honeydew melon, lemon and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: At the regular price there are several better Champagne options. However, at the sale price it’s a good buy.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with seared scallops with creamy lemon sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 25, 2019

WESTCOTT RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

30 Saturday Mar 2019

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Cost: $46.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking Pinot full of flavour but over priced

Positives: Garnet in colour featuring cherry, mulberry, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and red roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill the wine to 15C

Ageability: Drink now or over couple of years on its own or pair it with roasted duck.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: March 30, 2019

CHAMPAGNE BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT, NV, Champagne, France

17 Sunday Mar 2019

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Cost: $84.95 (Clearance Price: $68.00)
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bollinger
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Bone dry but full of character & quality

Positives: Bright gold in colour with a fine mousse and a long finish. Wine features brioche, yeastiness, green & golden apple, Anjou pear, lemon, white peaches, walnuts, nutmeg and cloves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Maturation cellar aged for more than twice the time required by the appellation, which in total 36 months.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10-15 years on its own or pair it with raw oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 17, 2019

LCBO: 384529

CHAMPAGNE LE MESNIL BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU BRUT NV, AOC Côtes des Blanc, Champagne, France

12 Saturday Jan 2019

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Cost: $75.00 US
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: The Tasting Room & Wine Cellar
Country: France
Region: Côtes des Blanc, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Le Mesnil
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic expression of Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Positives: Rich, crisp and yeasty Champagne featuring a fine mousse, buttered brioche, green and yellow apples, lemon rind, cucumber and limestone

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: – 90% 2014 harvest, 5% 2013 harvest, 5% 2010 harvest

-Bottled in April 2015, minimum 3 years aged in cellar

-Disgorged in 2018 as Brut with sugar dosage 9 g/l)

-100% of vineyards of Le Mesnil sur Oger are ranked as Grand Cru

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10-15 of years on its own or pair it with crispy fried calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 12, 2019

LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT PREMIER CHAMPAGNE NV, À Reimes, Champagne, France

30 Sunday Dec 2018

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Cost: $74.95 (Sale price: $69.95 until Jan 6, 2019)
Grape: 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: France
Region: À Reims, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Roederer Champagne
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Champagnes without breaking the bank

Positives: Rich gold in colour with a fine mousse that features, brioche, yeast, toast, lemon, green apples, Anjou pear, clementine, Herbes de Provence, hazelnut, smoke and vanilla.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10-15 of years. Drink on its own or pair it with oxtail ravioli in a garlic white wine butter sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 30, 2018

LCBO: 268771

BARON-FUENTÉ GRANDS CÉPAGES CHARDONNEY NV, Ac Champagne, France

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

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Cost: $71.95 (Sale Price: $57.75)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO Vintage
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baron-Feunté
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

This Blanc de Blanc is not for the faint at heart

Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon zest, green & yellow apples, pear, pink grapefruit, lime, ginger, cardamom, salted almonds and fresh cut carnations. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my wife for this Champagne for my birthday

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Raspberry Point Oysters.

Tasted: 12 March 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale Price: 9/10), Total: 18/20

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

LCBO: 471045

TAITTINGER BRUT RÉSERVE CHAMPAGNE NV, Ac Reims, France

09 Friday Dec 2016

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Cost: $60.95
Grape: 46% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Meunier
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Reims
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Taittinger
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious Champagne elegance

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, brioche, lemon, green apple, persimmon, white peach, pear, honeydew melon, honeycomb, almonds, and honeysuckle on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of the best values for higher end Champagnes and celebrated this fine Champagne today for getting my first hole-in-one in golf.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Truffle Risotto topped with grated fresh Parmesano-Reggiano.  

Tasted: 28 November 2016

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 365312

PIERREL LES ORESSENCES BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Ac Epernay, France

22 Sunday May 2016

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Pierrel

Cost: $42.95 (Clearance: $30.15)
Grape: 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pierrel
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A savory Champagne

Description: Deep gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features yeast, toasted brioche, Boss pear, lemon meringue, Granny Smith apples, peach, pistachios, nutmeg,  and apple blossoms on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Bacon and Leek Quiche.

Tasted: 22 May 2016

Top pick

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

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

LCBO: 167502

DELAHAIE PRESTIGE PREMIER CRU CHAMPAGNE NV, Epernay, France

22 Sunday May 2016

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Delahaie-Cuvee-Prestige-Front

Cost: $31.05
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jacque Brochet
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A fresh, citric Champagne

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features yeast, toasted oats, lemon, tangerine, Anjou pear, Rainier cherry, macadamia nuts, candied ginger and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with pork Bibimbap

Tasted: 22 May 2016

Top pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5