13 Wednesday May 2020
Posted in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, White Wines
Cost: $11.95 (Sale price: $10.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arterra Wines
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Oh dear Lord no! This wine is like eating bark from an oak tree with an overripe banana & rubbing alcohol
My Opinion: Not Recommended
Tasted: May 13, 2020
LCBO: 10427
28 Tuesday Apr 2020
Posted in Not Recommended, White Wines
Cost: $13.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia & Sicily
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Orion Wines
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
I like the price, moderate alcohol & some tasting notes, but don’t like the overpowering marzipan note on the nose & taste
Tasting Note: Deep yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon tart, banana, nectarine, coconut, butterscotch, vanilla & light oak spice
Negatives: Strong marzipan note on the nose & taste
Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Escovitch.
My Opinion: Not Recommended
Tasted: April 28, 2020
LCBO: 13634
17 Tuesday Mar 2020
Posted in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, White Wines
Cost: $20.95 at The Wine Shop, $19.95 LCBO
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery & LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peller Estates
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Verges on the flabby side plus I don’t like marzipan
Tasting Notes: Gold in colour this wine features papaya, cantaloupe, lemon & marzipan.
Interesting Point: So why is The Wine Shop selling this wine at $1 more than LCBO?
Pairings: Drink now on its own or pair it with buttermilk fried chicken.
My Opinion: Not recommended
Tasted: March 16, 2020
LCBO: 383109
02 Monday Mar 2020
Posted in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, Red Wines
Cost: $17.95 (Sale price until March 1, 2020: $15.95)
Grape: Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arterra Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
I enjoyed their Chard, but this red, not so much as it flabby & a lot of sweet notes like strawberry rhubarb pie, milk chocolate covered prunes. Those that prefer the sweet California wines will like this one.
My Opinion: Not Recommended
Tasted: March 2, 2020
LCBO: 11564
27 Sunday Oct 2019
Posted in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine
Cost: $29.95 (Clearance Price: $20.25)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
A simple sweet sparkling wine due to the icewine dosage
Positives: Yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, this wine features orange, nectarine, peach and yellow plum
Negatives: Too sweet
Ageability: Drink now on its own or add orange juice and make it a Mimosa.
My Opinion: Not recommended
Tasted: October 27, 2019
LCBO: 644617
07 Sunday Apr 2019
Posted in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, White Wines
Cost: $30.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.
A sweeter style Pinot, but without the high alcohol
Positives: Garnet in colour featuring cherry cola, blackberry, tarragon, vanilla, caramel and violets on the nose.
Negatives: A little too sweet for my taste
Ageability: Drink now or over couple of years on its own or pair it with Peking duck.
My Opinion: Not Recommended
Tasted: March 30, 2019
30 Saturday Mar 2019
Posted in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, Red Wines
Cost: $30.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.
A sweeter style Pinot, but without the high alcohol
Positives: Garnet in colour featuring cherry cola, blackberry, tarragon, vanilla, caramel and violets on the nose.
Negatives: A little too sweet for my taste
Ageability: Drink now or over couple of years on its own or pair it with Peking duck.
My Opinion: Not Recommended
Tasted: March 30, 2019
10 Sunday Feb 2019
Posted in Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine
Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.00)
Grape: unknown
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Haute Couture Bubbles
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.
A simple wine made for those that like sweetness in their sparkling wine and none of the yeastiness
Positives: Gold in colour with average mousse that features peach, pear and golden apples
Negatives: Not worth the price
Interesting Point: More like a Prosecco rather than a sparkling wine made in the traditional method.
Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years
My Opinion: Not Recommended
Tasted: February 10, 2019
LCBO: 617258
26 Saturday Jan 2019
Posted in Not Recommended, Red Wines
Cost: $17.95 (Clearance price: $14.40)
Grape: Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Casablanca Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mancura Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
It’s like biting into a twig, very bitter
Positives: None
Negatives: Bitter
My Opinion: Not Recommended
Tasted: January 26, 2019
LCBO: 515767
05 Saturday Jan 2019
Posted in Not Recommended, White Wines
Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: 34% Sonoma County, 33% Monterey County, 32% Santa Barbara
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Meiomi Wines
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Sour Ritz crackers
My Opinion: Not Recommended
Tasted: January 4, 2019
