Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE PETIT VERDOT 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Friday Dec 2021

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: $21.95
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

And now for something completely different for Ontario wines, a Petit Verdot & winemaker Gavin’s first foray at NC with this grape is a success. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Medium to dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, green tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberry, plum, dark cherry, sage, lavender, Champagne mushrooms, vanilla, light smoke & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: As Petit Verdot is bold & tannic, it needs a large style Bordeaux glass & decant to soften the tanin.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Biryani.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Dec 1, 2021

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

29 Friday Oct 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This balanced wine makes it one of the better oak aged Ontario Chards for under $20. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium-low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, peach, pear, honeydew melon, ginger, dill, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Using the right glass is key to enjoying this wine. Normally with an oak aged Chard I would use the larger open glassware. However, this wine is better with the Chablis style wine glass. I found the larger wine glass mutes the notes on this wine, while the Chablis glass lets these wonderful notes come to the surface.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 28, 2021

13th STREET WINERY L. VISCEK VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Tuesday Sep 2021

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic quality cool climate, Vegan friendly, Chardonnay that will get better with aging. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, clementine, baking spice & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 13th Street Viscek Vineyard Chards have consistently been good.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with garlic roasted chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: Sept 11, 2021

MAGNOTTA BLANC DE BLANCS CHARDONNAY, NV, Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Sunday Sep 2021

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

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Cost: $26.95 (Sale Price until Sept 30, 2021: $23.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery Stores
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol:  13.6% Alcohol/Vol.

This XD- Extra Dry sparkling wine is easy drinking, full body & well suited for those that don’t like the classic Champagne taste. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon meringue, green & golden apples, pear, kumquat, pineapple, kiwi, nutmeg & vanilla.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: There’s an additional icewine dosage, which gives it the colour & tropical notes.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Spicy Mahi Fish Tacos with homemade jicama slaw. 

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at the sales price

Tasted: Sept 5, 2021

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE DRY RIESLING 2020, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

31 Tuesday Aug 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery,
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, clean, dry & not complex but has quality. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with high acidity, medium intense+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lime, kiwi, pear, green apples & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 10+ years on its own or pair it with sweet chilli wings

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 31, 2021

KACABA OAK AGED CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

13 Sunday Jun 2021

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $30.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol:  13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A restrained oaked Chard, which is a good thing as it’s delicious. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, pear, honeydew melon, oak spice, butterscotch & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Caper Sauce

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 10, 2021

KACABA EFFERVESCENCE SPARKLING ROSÉ 2019, VQA Ontario, Canada

07 Monday Jun 2021

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $32.15 (Sale price: $28.15)
Grape: 62.5% Pinot Noir, 37.5% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking, not complex, off dry sparkling wine that will please those that don’t like the toasty, yeasty, brioche Champagne style. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with fine mousse good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Wild strawberries, Bing Cherries, raspberries & sweet basil.

Negatives: Price point

Interesting Point: For a Charmat method sparkling wine priced at over $30 is way too much. Sale price brings it more palatable to buy, but still overpriced even at that point.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Ukrainian Beet Vinaigrette Salad – with fresh beets and pickled cucumbers

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 6, 2021

13th STREET WINERY CABERNET/MERLOT CLASSIC SERIES 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

25 Sunday Apr 2021

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery (See Interesting Point below)
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This delicious wine is 100%-barrel fermented & has a burst of fruit expression then it’s rounded out by the Merlot. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, mulberry, plum, pomegranate, sweet toast, malt chocolate, white pepper & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The 2019 vintage is currently available only at the winery, but the LCBO still carries the 2018 at $19.95

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled T-Bone steak

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 24, 2021

LCBO: 56598

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE SEMILLON-SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

12 Monday Apr 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 83% Semillon, 17% Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine gives you a nice balance between sour & tart flavours. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Gooseberry, fresh cut grass, lemon-lime custard, grapefruit, passionfruit & chalk.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Fermented in both stainless steel and French oak barrels

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Shrimp

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 9, 2021

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE MUSCAT 2019, VQA Ontario, Canada

09 Friday Apr 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, 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: $16.95
Grape: Muscat
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  10.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking, delicious off dry white wine to have on a beautiful sunny day on the patio or while enjoying a hot tub. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Honeydew melon, kiwi, green apples, lemon meringue, clementine, peach & Ylang-ylang on the nose.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Thanks to Chetan from the Teaching Winery Store for suggesting this wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Thai green curry coconut shrimp.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 9, 2021