Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

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

STREWN TERROIR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Saturday Mar 2021

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

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Cost: $24.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stewn Winery
Alcohol:  13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex Sauv with nice fruits & some spiciness. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: gooseberry, fresh cut grass, honeydew melon, pear, mandarin & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: My thanks to the winery’s sommelier; Juan Nunez-Sanchez, for his recommendation of this wine for my pairing with the ceviche that I made.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Pico de Gallo

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 26, 2021

STREWN TERROIR, STREWN THREE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $46.00
Grape: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc and 22% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stewn Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Don’t think Ontario winemakers make great Bordeaux style wines like their counterparts across the pond, well this one certainly does. The wine just explodes in your mouth with beautiful fruits & spice. Well worth the price. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, plum, tamarind, mulberry, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, black peppers, Crème de cassis, cloves, cinnamon, anise, tobacco leaves, leather, vanilla & a mix of Evergreens & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Strewn Three, their flagship red wine, is a three varietal blend that is unique each time it is made. In the past decade there have been only four vintages – 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016 – where the grapes were of the outstanding quality required to make our top-tier Terroir reds.” Strewn

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops with Blackberry Pan sauce and Arugula 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 24, 2021

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE SEMI-DRY RIESLING 2017, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

19 Friday Mar 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: $16.95
Grape: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Well-made classic off dry, but not sweet, Riesling. Probably the best Canadian Riesling for under $17. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, pear, green apple, limestone & petrol on the nose.   

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Jerk Chicken Wings.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 18, 2021

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Mar 2021

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully crafted this Pinot shows classic & elegant notes that are well balanced between the fruit & acidity while any oak influence gives it some backbone. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black & sour cherries, strawberry, raspberry, beetroot, Champagne mushrooms, peat moss & a touch of vanilla bean.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Sourced from Whitty Vineyards in Creek Shores. Fermented with minimum intervention & aged in new & seasoned French oak barrels for 8 months.” (13th Street)

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 13, 2021

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE ROSÉ 2019, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

10 Wednesday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality at a great price for this Pinot Noir rosé. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light rose gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features sour cherry, strawberry, McIntosh apples, dragon fruit & roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Alabama smoked ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 9, 2021