Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

GRAY MONK PINOT GRIS ODYSSEY SERIES 2024, VQA Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

04 Saturday Jul 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Gray Monk Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $33.00
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gray Monk Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, clean wine that is an excellent substitute for a high-end Sauvignon Blanc. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, kumquat, lemon, pear, dragon fruit, wet stone

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Pinot Gris grapes were hand-picked from our Estate Vineyard (Block 8) from some of the oldest vines in British Columbia (approximately 40 years old). The grapes were gently pressed, then the juice fermented in stainless steel tanks for pure fruit expression, and aged in 2,000L French oak foudre for 6 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with lightly breaded pan-fried fresh-water fish with buttered new potatoes.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 3, 2026

GRAY MONK ODYSSEY CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA British Columbia, Canada

24 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Gray Monk Winery, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $33.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: British Columbia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gray Monk Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Top tier Chard that is exquisite, elegant & complexed. Wine features nice balance between oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, peach, green & yellow apples, green mango, Haden mangos, butterscotch, ginger, dill, oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: In order to bring out everything this wine has to offer, don’t overchill and use the larger Chard style glassware.

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes come from select vineyards in Kelowna and Osoyoos regions of the Okanagan Valley, and from the Similkameen Valley, allowing for unique Chardonnay characteristics from each terroir. 50% of the wine was fermented and aged in new French oak barrels for 3 months, with battonage (lees stirring), and underwent a full malolactic fermentation to soften the acidity. 50% of the wine was aged in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation for a more refreshing fruit forward style. This first vintage of the Odyssey Chardonnay was blended, allowed to rest, then bottled in small production of 524 cases.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass in butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 22, 2026

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

19 Friday Jun 2026

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

NC best Dean’s List Chardonnay to date featuring a balance between the oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, peach, green apples, butterscotch, ginger, dill & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “This Chardonnay for the St. David’s Bench was aged in a combination of new and neutral French oak to balance the freshness of the fruit and the softness of the barrel.”

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 18, 2026

RAIMAT ABADIA TEMPRANILLO CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ 2024, DO Costers Del Segre, Spain

12 Friday Jun 2026

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Organic/Sustainability, Recommended, Rosés, Vegan Friendly

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Cost: $22.50
Grape: Tempranillo & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Rosé Wine
Location Bought: The Small Wine Makers Collection
Country: Spain
Region: Costers Del Segre
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Raimat
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Dry, versatile, pleasant drinking rosé. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberries, pink grapefruit,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan & Organic

Winemaker’s Note: “Abadía represents the essence of Raimat and is the oldest wine brand in the Costers del Segre Designation of Origin.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with a variety of Tapas.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 11, 2026

RIDGE ROAD ESTATE WINERY CHARDONNAY 2024, VQA Ontario, Canada

08 Monday Jun 2026

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ridge Road Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, easy to drink, nice citric & tropical notes while not being overtly oaked. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, low to medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, Pitahaya, cantaloupe, Fuji apples, ginger & light oak spice.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Fermented in stainless steel and 50% was aged with French oak.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with chicken breast.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 6, 2026

GRAY MONK ODYSSEY TRADITIONAL BRUT 2021, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

24 Sunday May 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Gray Monk Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: 34% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, 32% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gray Monk Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Best valued vintage Champagne style wine that I have tasted to date. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, yeast, lemon, Anjou pear, green & red apples, peach & buttered toast.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or 8 – 10 years on its own or pair it with ocean East Coast Oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 24, 2026

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD VIOGNIER 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Friday Mar 2026

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

I think the technical term is: “Yummy”. Best Canadian Viognier that I have tasted. Full body, rich, oily, expressive, juicy & spicy. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Bright deep gold in colour with low acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Peach, peach pit, apricot, ginger, Chinese 5 Spice, vanilla & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Harvested October 9th 2020 from the estate vineyard. Fermented and aged in neutral in French Oak barrels for 9 months before a careful barrel selection determined this final blend of 180 cases.”

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 19, 2026

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR ESTATE BOTTLED 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

09 Monday Mar 2026

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: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Burgundian style Pinot with sour fruit, earthiness & smokiness. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rhubarb, sour cherries, strawberries, cranberries, pickled beets, oyster mushrooms, peat moss & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill to 15C and use a balloon style glassware.

Winemaker’s Note: “Fruit was cold soaked for 3 days, followed by small batch fermentation & 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels & puncheons.”

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 8, 2026

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD 2018 BLANC DE BLANC, Traditional Method, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

28 Sunday Dec 2025

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

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Cost: $49.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body with elegance. So far, the best Canadian vintage Blanc de Blanc I’ve tasted. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, yeast, lemon meringue, green apples, Quince, clementine, toasted almonds, buttered toast, honeycomb & yellow flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “100% chardonnay harvested from the Estate vineyard September 9, 2018. Primary fermentation was conducted at cooler temperatures in stainless steel to preserve delicate fruit flavours. Triage bottling for secondary fermentation on March 14, 2019, then left for on the lees in bottle for over 50 months to create complexity and luxurious character.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 8 years on its own or pair it with brunch.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 28, 2025

NIAGARA TEACHING WINERY COMMENCEMENT BRUT SPARKLING WINE, NV, Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Saturday Dec 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Vidal
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Not worth it.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pear & orange pith.

Negatives: Plain with slight bitterness

Interesting Point: Taste was very plain with a slight bitterness. Only way this wine is palatable is in a mimosa. However, there are a lot better sparkling wines at a better price to do that.

Winemaker’s Note: “The wine was produced using Cuve Closed Method, completing its secondary fermentation in tank, then bottled under pressure to maintain the natural effervescence.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 3 years and mix it with orange juice or any other juice.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: December 20, 2025