Category Archives: Recommended

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

GLORIA FERRER BLANC DE NOIRS ROSÉ NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Carneros, California, United States of America

13 Saturday Mar 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gloria Ferrer
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, full of flavour, good value. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Rose gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a mild intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, black cherry, strawberry, lemon meringue, red apples, cola & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Currently, the LCBO has the regular Brut Blanc de Noir with the SKU number listed below.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Spiced Pork Chops within Cherry Thyme pan sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 12, 2021 (Happy Birthday to me!)

LCBO: 925735

DOMAINE STE. MICHELLE BRUT SPARKLING WINE NV, Méthode Classique, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States of America

12 Friday Mar 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Ste. Michelle
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body where its dryness is in between bone dry & sweat, so right down the middle. Very easy drinking & full of flavour. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense+ nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, pear, green apple, lemon & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Outside Cava’s that are also traditional method that are mostly priced under $20, it’s rare to see in an Ontario sparkling wine made the same way being under $20.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 11, 2021

LCBO: 557637

FRANSCHHOEK CELLAR, THE CHURCHYARD, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, Franschhoek, South Africa

08 Monday Mar 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Franschhoek Cellar
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An intense wine with lots of blackcurrants. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, dry tannin, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackcurrants, plum, blackberry, black truffle, leather, pencil shavings & turmeric.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Decanting this wine will expose more than just blackcurrants.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Pork Medallions with Apples, Blackcurrants and crispy Sage

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 7, 2021

LCBO: 634667

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BARREL FERMENTED BALANCE CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

06 Saturday Mar 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This Balance Chard is nicely balanced between the citric fruit, the light oak notes & the graceful creaminess but still refreshing without being overtly crisp. 89/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green apple, pear, honeydew melon, vanilla & coconut.    

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill this wine, as you will lose its complexity

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with North Atlantic lobster wrapped in egg pasta with sauteed bacon in a beurre blanc sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 5, 2021

BOLLATO DI GUARINI NEGROAMARO PRIMITIVO 2018, IGP Puglia, Italy

02 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.00
Grape: Negroamaro & Primitivo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Losito e Guarini
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex wine but the correct glassware will make a huge difference between pleasant drinking or overtly sweet. Smaller glassware for Sangiovese will be the best choice. 88/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, Bing cherries, ripe tamarind, blueberry, blueberry, aged balsamic, leather, thyme, tobacco, pepper, figs & violets on the nose.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1. I got this wine as I love the rum style bottle, but it pours poorly do to the large lip. 2. Besides the correct stemware, serve this wine between 16-18C.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Wild Boar Ribs with Fig BBQ Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 1, 2021

LCBO: 17884

DANDELION VINEYARDS TWILIGHT OF ADELAIDE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2018, Adelaide Hills, New Zealand

27 Saturday Feb 2021

Posted by in Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dandelion Vineyards
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Chablis in style, this wine has some oak influence & it’s bone dry, crisp & clean. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light bright gold with a green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green apples, pear, peach & ginger.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The grapes were picked during twilight time, ergo the name, & speaking of the name, how could I not get it?!

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with herb & lemon scallops on a bed of Angel Hair.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 27, 2021

LCBO: 368274

TRIUS CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $14.95 (Sale price until Feb 28, 2021: $13.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trius Winery
Alcohol:  12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Fruit forward Chard with a touch of oak all at a nice price. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with high acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green & yellow apples, pink grapefruit, pear, peach, honeydew melon, oak spice & ginger.      

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO list this wine as “Full-Body & Rich”. More like medium body & crisp.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years & pair it with Oysters with the Shallot Ginger Vinaigrette.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2021

LCBO: 497248

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY CIDER 101 CAMPUS BUZZ, SEAN & TOMMY’S MEAD ADVENTURE, Canada

25 Monday Jan 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $15.15
Grape: Honey
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

And now for something completely different. This mead is recommended for those who like white wine that is dry, crisp, clean with sweet & sour notes; this is a great alternative. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Straw to gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features grapefruit, pear, kumquat, lychee, orange zest, honey & Acacia flowers on the nose.

Negatives: The aromatic nose maybe be too pungent for some.

Interesting Point: “Made using honey produced at the Niagara College’s Daniel J Patterson (NOTL) campus. This honey farm (apiary) is managed by the Commercial Beekeeping Program staff and students. The mead is produced by students of the Winery and Viticulture Technician Program under supervision of our Head Winemaker at Niagara College Teaching Winery.” NC

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with sweet & sour pork.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 24, 2021

MARQUÉS DE RISCAL VERDEJO 2019, DO Rueda, Spain

14 Thursday Jan 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $14.14 (Clearance price: $11.35)
Grape: Verdejo
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rueda
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marqués de Riscal
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice crisp white with lots of citric notes & a little tartness on the finish, which is known for the Verdejo grape. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon-lime, clementine, dragon fruit, grapefruit, fennel, dry sage & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 2019 label in the store is different than what the LCBO has on their site. The change is from having Rueda to Verdejo.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Fish tacos with blackened mahi-mahi, escabeche, and mojo aioli.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 14, 2021

LCBO: 36822