Category Archives: Highly Recommended

13th STREET WINERY CABERNET MERLOT 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Thursday Mar 2020

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario Cab/Merlot blends under $20. Smooth with substance & it makes your mouth dance in a good way

Tasting Note: Medium light ruby in colour, light tannin this wine features raspberry, pomegranate, licorice, sage, rosemary, cloves, cinnamon and light cedar.

Pairings: Drink now on its own for the next 3-5 years or pair it with roasted sherry duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 19, 2020

GHOST PINES CHARDONNAY 2018, 36% Monterey County, 33% Napa Valley, 31% Sonoma County, California, United States of America

17 Tuesday Mar 2020

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

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Cost: $21.95 (Sale price: 19.95 until March 29, 2020)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: 36% Monterey County, 33% Napa Valley, 31% Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis M. Martini
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This Chard is the exception to my rule of not buying high alcohol wines (above 14.1% alcohol) due to the fact it is so bloody good.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour this wine features lemon, baked apples, pineapples, yellow plums, peach, crème brûlée, lemon meringue pie, vanilla, light oak spice, ginger, dill and limestone.

Interesting Point: As my viewers know, I am anti high alcohol (above 14.1%), and although this one is 14.5%, the alcohol is well integrated, and the wine is too good not to buy just because of the high alcohol.

Pairings: Drink now on its own for the next 3-5 years or pair it with Lobster Thermidor.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 17, 2020

LCBO: 308122

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Saturday Mar 2020

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  14% Alcohol/Vol.

This light-coloured Cab is a unique Canadian Cab that has complexity & more so when it really opens up. For all that this Cab has to offer without going over 14% alcohol, it  truly is Canadian gem.

Positives: Light purple to garnet in colour, this wine features Bing Cherries, tamarind, blackberries, blueberries, mulberries, cinnamon, cloves, leather, cocoa, black peppers & Harissa.

Interesting Point: A special thanks to the Teaching Winery manager; Chetan, for his customer service to the wine club members. Makes me feel special.

Pairings: Drink now on its own for the next 5-7 years or pair it with foods infused with dark chocolate.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 7, 2020

THE AUDACITY OF THOMAS G. BRIGHT SUSSRESERVE CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Wednesday Feb 2020

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

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until March 1, 2020: $14.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arterra Wines
Alcohol:  14% Alcohol/Vol.

An Ontario Chard that will please those that like oaked Chards that are full body, powerful yet balanced and has complexity. Oh yes, so far haven’t tried a Canadian Chard with all that & at this price!

Positives: Deep gold (you can tell it’s oaked age just by the colour), this wine features lemon tart, Golden apples, pineapple, peach, clementine, vanilla, oak spice, ginger, dill and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2019 /CNW/ – Today, Arterra Wines Canada announced a very special homage to one of its original founders, with the launch of the company’s newest VQA wine The Audacity of Thomas G. Bright. In 1874, a young man named Thomas G. Bright had a bold idea: grow European grapes in Niagara, Ontario. In the face of countless challenges, from the soil conditions to the unique Canadian climate and an army of naysayers, T.G. Bright & Co. – his company – persevered, eventually importing hundreds of types of vines to Canada. His innovation and leadership were fundamental to the development of the Niagara wine industry, and his company eventually became part of the modern-day Arterra Wines Canada. “Anyone who has ever enjoyed a glass of Canadian wine owes a debt to Thomas G. Bright,” explains Andrea Hunt, senior vice president marketing, Arterra Wines Canada.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with lobster bisque.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 22, 2020

LCBO: 11565

MONMARTHE SECRET DE FAMILLE BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Premier Cru, Ac Ludes, Montagne de Reims, France

23 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in Champagne, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $47.95
Grape: 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay
Category: Champagne
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Ludes, Montagne de Reims
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Monmarthe
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Champagne but from an Independent Winegrower that is priced well under top Champagne houses with the same quality.

Positives: Deep gold in colour with a copper tinge. This wine has a fine mousse and features yeast, brioche, finely oxidative, green apples, Anjou pear, lemons, peach, ginger, nutmeg and crushed limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This Champagne was bought as a birthday present from my daughter, but today we drink in her honour in getting into her Masters program.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 10-15 of years on its own or pair it with New York style Parmesan, garlic & herb pits chips.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 22, 2020

LCBO: 624775

LA MOSCOTA EXTRA BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE, NV, Champenoise Method, San Carlos, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

17 Monday Feb 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: San Carlos, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Moscota Vineyards
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex easy drinking dry sparkling with elegance

Positives: Light gold with a rose coloured tinged & fine mousse, this wine features light brioche & yeast, strawberry, cherry, pear and blood orange.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Tasted well in several different Champagne/sparkling wine glassware, which is unique.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with strawberry.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 16, 2020

LCBO: 11806

SOUTHBROOK ESTATE ORGANIC WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario Canada

14 Friday Feb 2020

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

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Cost: $35.00 (Clearance Price: $24.55)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario, Niagara Escarpment
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Southbrook
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the top Canadian Chards, elegant, full body, rich & complex, all this and they did it with only 13% alcohol vs California Chards at 14% plus to gain what Southbrook has done

Positives: Rich golf in colour this wine features lemon, peach, green & yellow apples, pear, tangerine, honeydew melon, sweet potato skin, ginger, dill, oak spice and toasted marshmallows

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic and Vegan friendly. Also, reviewed the 2016 vintage which was $5 more than this vintage and this vintage is better and correctly priced, which makes the clearance price a steal.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 14, 2020

LCBO: 644625

PANTOCRATOR 2005, DOC Rioja Alta, Spain

03 Monday Feb 2020

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

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Cost: $37.95 (Clearance price: $30.40)
Grape: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja Alta
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Tarón
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich, complex & powerful aged Tempranillo

Positives: Ruby to garnet in colour, this wine features cherry, raisin, Allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, liquorice, black pepper, peppermint, leather and smoked wood.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Traditional winemaking that entails ageing the two varieties separately in American oak barrels for twelve months. The wines are then blended and returned to the barrels, where they spend another six months. After ageing, the wine is left for 12 months in steel tanks, where it is further refined, and then it is ready for bottling.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb, medium rare.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 3, 2020

LCBO: 12181

COLOMBA BIANCA INSOLIA RESILIENCE 2018, DOC Sicilia, Italy

24 Friday Jan 2020

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Insolia
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Sicilia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Colomba Bianca
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

Spring in a bottle

Positives: Straw yellow in colour, this wine features lemon rind, guava, honeydew melon, limestone and orange blossom with honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The grapes are harvested by hand in small baskets and processed quickly to respect the unique characteristics of these grapes, respecting the territorial origins.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Brussels sprouts roasted in lemon and Agave.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: January 24, 2020

LCBO: 10952

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

29 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by in Champagne, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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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 Luminous, creamy, 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