Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

STREWN TERROIR CHARDONNAY FRENCH OAK 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Oct 2022

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

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Cost: $32.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Just like to reiterate my previous review on Strewn’s Terroir Chards that I am so thankful that they are now under 14%. This French Oak Chard has style similar to Meursault & beautiful made. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium to medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, Jonagold apples, peach, ripe pear, kumquat, brioche, grilled pineapple, almond butter, honey, oak spice, ginger, dill, butterscotch & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Barrel fermented with malolactic fermentation in new and seasoned French oak barrels. Left on lees for 11 months in oak with bâttonage as desired.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 -7 years on its own or pair it with Limburger cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 25, 2022

STREWN TERROIR CHARDONNAY CANADIAN OAK 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Oct 2022

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

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Cost: $35.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see Strewn’s Chards below 14% alcohol. Combination of richness with creaminess & a crispness on the finish. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, orange, cantaloupe, Jonagold apples, ginger, dill, coconut, oak spice, roasted almonds & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Barrel fermented with malolactic fermentation in new and seasoned Canadian oak barrels then left on lees for 11 months in oak with bâttonage as desired.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with pan seared Chilean Sea Bass.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: October 21, 2022

STREWN WINERY SPARKLER, SAUVIGNON BLANC, NV, Méthode Cuve Close, VQA Ontario, Canada

17 Monday Oct 2022

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

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Cost: $25.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant surprise for this Charmat method Sauvignon Blanc. Not complex but good quality. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lime, honeydew melon, pink grapefruit, fresh grass & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Fermented in stainless steel down to dryness. Following stabilization and sterile filtration, the wine base underwent secondary fermentation to 6.5 g/L residual sugar in specialized pressurized tanks followed by battonage.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Devil
Eggs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 16, 2022

13TH STREET WINERY JUNE’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Sep 2022

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Canadian non-oaked Chards I’ve tasted that shows a creamy rich texture along with minerality. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Straw with some gold tinge in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, Jonagold apples, ripe pear, honeycomb, honeydew melon & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan Friendly

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with grilled shrimp

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 12, 2022

LCBO: 154617

13th STREET WINERY RESERVE VIOGNIER 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, elegant & delicious. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: White peach, lemon zest, honeydew melon, green apples, pear, star fruit (Carambola), vanilla & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Fermented & aged for 12 months in seasoned French oak barrels.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Sautéed chicken with roasted red peppers, tossed in a cajun cream sauce with spinach and feta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 22 & August 4, 2022

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY UNFILTERED SHIRAZ 2020, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Canada

08 Friday Jul 2022

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but well-made wine at a great price that features dark fruit & spiciness. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with foaminess around the perimeter, good acidity, medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Mulberry, plum, tamarind, black & white pepper, vanilla,

Negatives: Should be labelled Syrah not Shiraz as it’s not styled in the Australian way.

Interesting Point: The foaminess, which looks like soap, doesn’t seem to affect the wine & expect it’s due to the wine being Unfiltered. From Dr. Vinny from Wine Spectator: “Foam, and bubbles in general, are caused when the surface tension of water is decreased, which is how soap creates so many bubbles. Let’s assume that there isn’t soap in your decanter (but you should be sure you are rinsing them out thoroughly, just to be certain). That means there is something in the wine itself that is affecting the surface tension of the wine or the rinsing water.

There are two sources of surface-tension reduction in wine. The first is a protein that’s present in tannins. I tend to notice the foam phenomenon much more often in red wines than in whites, and there are more tannins in reds. Alcohol (ethanol) also has an effect on surface tension. So, you can expect a tannic, high-alcohol wine to yield the most foam among still wines.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Ribeye Steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 7, 2022

CHÂTEAU LA VARIÈRE CABERNET D’ANJOU CUVÉE DU ROSSIGNOL 2020, AOP Cabernet D’Anjou, Loire Valley, France

01 Friday Jul 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $15.99 CI
Grape: Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Cabernet D’Anjou, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château La Varière
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but pleasant semi-sweet rosé. Score: 87/100

Tasting Note: Pale copper in colour with medium acidity, medium nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Peach, Anjou Pear, papaya, lemon drop on the finish & orange blossom on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in a couple of years on its own or pair it with spicy foods.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 1, 2022

PEDRONCELLI CHARDONNAY 2017, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

28 Tuesday Jun 2022

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

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Cost: $18.99 CI
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pedroncelli
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably the smoothest, beautifully made Chard I’ve ever tried, & this is not a complex wine nor a high-end Chard. Lastly, it’s under 14% alcohol. Score: 99/100

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon meringue, mango, Honey Crisp apple, clementine, peach, honeydew melon, dill, nutmeg, light oak spice, vanilla, honeycomb & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I find that Dry Creek Valley wines are one of my favourite with white or red wines.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with New England Lobster Dip

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 27, 2022

DECOY CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

27 Monday Jun 2022

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $27.99 CI
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Decoy Wines
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Balanced Cali Chard. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, kumquat, Mandarin orange, pineapple, golden apple, pear, butterscotch, vanilla, wet stone & lemon zest on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with jerk chicken

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 26, 2022

JOSEPH DROUHIN MÂCON-LUGNY LES CRAYS, AOC Mâcon-Lugny, Burgundy, France

21 Tuesday Jun 2022

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

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Cost: $18.99 CI
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Mâcon-Lugny, Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Joseph Drouhin
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Fresh and light with a very pleasant aftertaste. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, red apples, ginger, limestone & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged in stainless steel vats for 6-8 months. Normally I would use a Chablis style glass, but I found that the Montrachet style worked better as it didn’t have a bitter peach pit taste.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with vegetable & prawn wok

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 18, 2022