Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

KACABA ESCARPMENT CABERNET/SYRAH 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Tuesday Aug 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $30.15
Grape: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of red fruit, spice with firm tannin gives this Ontario Cab/Syrah complexity

Positives: This wine features cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, blackberry, black & white pepper, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather, cinnamon with a smoked oak nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled marinated leg of lamb

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: August 13, 2019

RIDGEVIEW BLOOMSBURY ENGLISH SPARKLING WINE 2014, Sussex, England

29 Monday Jul 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $50 US
Grape: 58% Chardonnay, 28% Pinot Noir, 14% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: England
Region:Sussex
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ridgeview
Alcohol: 12 % Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful creamy Champagne style from England

Positives: A light golden colour with a fine mousse that features brioche, toasted buttered bread, peach, lemon, kiwi, green & golden apples, honey and macadamia nut cookie

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Beringer Bros. Chardonnay is picked at the peak of flavour development from top sites across California and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with 25% malolactic fermentation. 20% of the wine is aged for 60 days in second-pass charred American Oak barriques, which previously held Bourbon.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10-15 of years on its own or pair it with .

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 25, 2019

BERINGER BROS BOURBON BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2016, California, United States

25 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $26.24 US
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer Brothers
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A unique concept of imparting Bourbon barrel flavour into a Chard, & I’m happy to say it works. Love the Bourbon shape of the bottle & the old style label.

Positives: This wine features a cross between lemon meringue pie & apple pie, with apricots, pineapples, mangos, crème brûlée, vanilla bean, caramel and ginger.

Negatives: A little high with the 14.5% alcohol, but it is well integrated

Interesting Point: Beringer Bros. Chardonnay is picked at the peak of flavour development from top sites across California and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with 25% malolactic fermentation. 20% of the wine is aged for 60 days in second-pass charred American Oak barriques, which previously held Bourbon.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with ginger garlic backed chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 24, 2019

KACABA REBECCA ROSÉ 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Friday Jul 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $18.35
Grape: Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 12.3 % Alcohol/Vol.

This is what a rosé should be; refreshing, dry, juicy, flavourful & easy drinking

Positives: Salmon in colour featuring strawberry, raspberry, white cranberry, pink grapefruit & limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with St. Louis style BBQ pork chops.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 4, 2019

KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2017 VQA, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

03 Wednesday Jul 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $30.15
Grape: 46% Syrah, 27% Cab Franc, 27% Cab Sauv
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.7 % Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of spice in this baby, which I like

Positives: Wine features red berries, blueberries, cherries, mint, cassis, Star Anise, peppercorn, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves and arugula.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 13 months in French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with any Italian dish with tomato sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 3, 2019

KACABA OAK AGED CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Saturday Jun 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $25.35
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 12.6 % Alcohol/Vol.

A well balanced Canadian Chard that is pleasant to drink

Positives: Bright gold in colour, this wine features lemon tarts, peach, nectarines, pineapples, honeydew melon, vanilla, oak spice, dill and ginger.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 8 months in French wood.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with crab Alfredo.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 29, 2019

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BLANC DE BLANC BRUT 2014, Traditional Method, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Sunday Jun 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $28.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, dry but refreshing with cool climate flavours. Score 95/100. Update August 18, 2020: Double Gold Award & 2020 Sparkling Wine of the Year at the Canadian Sparkling Wine Championships. Congrats to winemaker Gavin Robertson.

Positives: Light gold in colour with a fine mousse that features light brioche, lemon, green apples, pear, grapefruit & dragon fruit.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with baked brie and strawberry jam.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 23, 2019

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY COLLEGE ROSÉ 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Sunday Jun 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $14.15
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured, crisp Rosé with a great price & quality that makes this a top Canadian Rosé

Positives: Pomegranate in colour this wine features Bing cherries, strawberries, Fuji apples, cranberries with roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick, Best Buy & Amazing Pick

Tasted: May 27, 2019

13th STREET WINERY SANDSTONE VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR 2016, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

01 Wednesday May 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $29.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the worldwide best Gamays & the best Canadian Gamay that I ever tasted.

Positives: It starts with a beautiful smoky nose followed on the taste by dark cherry, raspberry, mulberry, Champagne mushrooms, nutmeg and fried bacon.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use balloon style glass and slightly chill it.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Arrosticini.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 30, 2019

PIERRE JOURDAN TRANQUILLE CLASSIQUE STILL WINE NV, Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa

29 Monday Apr 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost:$25 US
Grape:60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: White & Rosé Wine
Location: Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek, Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Haute Cabrière
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A very pleasant wine made like a sparkling wine with Pinot Noir & Chardonnay grapes, but take out the carbonation and ergo you get still wine keeping the same low alcohol level.

Positives: Wine has a light rosé colour, and features lime, kiwi, raspberry, Spy Apples, tangerine and peach.

Interesting Point: “The emphasis of Tranquille being a ‘still Champagne’ type wine relates to the production process, whereby the juice is recovered from whole bunches of grapes that have not been crushed, which excludes the tannins out of the wine structure, creating the fine elegance.” Wine.co.za

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with plethora of different styles of olives.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 18, 2019