Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

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

29 Wednesday Jul 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $18.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

It infrequently happens when I give a wine under $19 with a Top Pick, (Price Not Withstanding), & this Cab Franc gets into that category as the wine exudes elegance with mouth-watering fruits, spice & beautiful fragrant violets on the nose.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features bramble fruit, red currants, plum, white pepper, arugula & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Have it slightly chilled to 17-18 C in order to bring out even more of the freshness of the fruit.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with arugula & prosciutto wood oven pizza.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 29, 2020

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

15 Wednesday Jul 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment


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.

People shy away from Muscat as they think it’s too sweet. However, NC Muscat, although stated as off dry, has a lot of acidity making this wine crisp than sweet, for now. Aging this wine will have the same affect as aging Rieslings, which will smooth out the acidity to leave leave it more palatable.

Tasting Note: Very light straw in colour with high acidity, an intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green apples, pear,

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own, but better off in pairing with food such as Applewood Cheddar cheese.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 5, 2020

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY’S DEAN LIST SYRAH 2018, VQA, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Friday Jun 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $26.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A classic style Syrah that’s full of berries & spice, all for under $30 and with only 13% alcohol, and it’s made in Ontario!

Tasting Note: Purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, white & black pepper, tobacco leaves, and a gorgeous spicy/smoked nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: How much to I like this wine? I tasted it at the Winery in a small plastic glass & I was wowed by it, so in my official tasting with the proper Syrah stemware, not surprisingly I’m stilled wowed.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 7-8 of years on its own or pair it with lamb saltimbocca with port wine & blackberries.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 26, 2020

13th STREET WINERY L. VISCEK VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

08 Monday Jun 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment


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:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Pure elegance; balanced, smooth, complex & only 13% alcohol. Truly impressive Chard that can compete with the best in the world, and at this price for the quality that you get, I haven’t had a Chard anywhere in the world that is better. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, peach, Gala apples, pineapples, Edward mangos, light oak spice, baby dill pickles, ginger & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Every year JP keeps improving his Viscek Chard, and here I thought his last 2 were great, so does this make it great-great-great?

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 4-6 of years on its own or pair it with Gunn’s Hill Brigio’s Brie (sold at the winery’s bakery store).

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 5, 2020

REDSTONE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2016, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Monday Apr 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $39.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Redstone Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Pricey; yes, but this is not your typical Ontario Cab Franc, which is usually simple with a lot of green peppers & twiggy notes. This one is smooth, juicy, complex & balanced

Tasting Note: Light ruby with a touch of garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannins & a long length on the finish. Wine features ripe redcurrants, plum, strawberry, kirsch, beets, sage & tobacco leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Besides the taste, I love the look of the bottle

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with garlic & rosemary balsamic roasted pork loin.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 27, 2020

REDSTONE LIMESTONE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Monday Apr 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Redstone
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A Chard that has some positives but a little heavy on the oak & a little pricey

Tasting Note: Bright straw to gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & an average length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, cantaloupe, lemon-lime, oak spice, ginger & limestone.

Negatives: Not crazy about the marzipan notes in this wine

Interesting Point: Limestone vineyard is farmed sustained

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Cornish Hen.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: April 20, 2020

MICHAEL KACABA RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

18 Saturday Apr 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $50.15
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol:  14.9% Alcohol/Vol.

High-end Ontario Cab that shows why it’s on the expensive side

Tasting Note: Light garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & long length on the finish. Wine features sweet cherry, strawberry, plum, blueberry, mocha, vanilla, cinnamon and licorice.

Negative: High alcohol level

Interesting Point: Surprised by how light in colour this wine is for only being 5 years old.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped filet mignon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 18, 2020

PONDVIEW VIOGNIER 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Friday Apr 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $17.95 (Sale price: $13.46)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estate Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking white wine that has a nice balance of acidity & tropical fruit

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with good acidity, a light intense nose, & average length on the finish. Wine features apricot, peach, honeydew melon and honey.

Interesting Point: Great value at the sale price.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Coquilles St. Jacques

My Opinion:  Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the sale price

Tasted: April 17, 2020

PONDVIEW CABERNET MERLOT RESERVE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Thursday Apr 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95 (Sale price: $18.71)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estate Winery
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality Ontario red wine that is smooth, delicious & has a beautiful smoked flowery bouquet/aroma

Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & average length finish. Wine features cherry, blackberry, raspberry, mulberry, plum, cedar, vanilla, and violets & smoke on the nose.

Interesting Point: Great value at the sale price.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Mongolian Beef

My Opinion:  Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 16, 2020

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE PINOT GRIS 2018, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

11 Saturday Apr 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Very interesting Pinot Gris that was fermented in neutral French oak barrels, and skin soaked giving the wine that copper colour. Taste is refreshing.

Tasting Note: Copper in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & average length finish. Wine features clementine, green apple, pink grapefruit & pear.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Jerk chicken wings

My Opinion:  Recommended

Tasted: April 11, 2020