Category Archives: Recommended

PONDVIEW BELLA TERRA CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Friday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nicely balanced, oak inspired Chard

Positives: Medium+ body wine featuring lemon rind, pineapple, golden apples, peach, pear, roasted almonds and oak spice.

Negatives: Has a touch of lemon white pith causing a slight bitterness, which caused my to downgrade this wine from highly recommended to recommended.

Interesting Point: I like the old style label

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster and drawn butter.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 25, 2019

CHAMPAGNE LE MESNIL BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU BRUT NV, AOC Côtes des Blanc, Champagne, France

12 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in Champagne, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended

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Cost: $75.00 US
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: The Tasting Room & Wine Cellar
Country: France
Region: Côtes des Blanc, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Le Mesnil
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic expression of Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Positives: Rich, crisp and yeasty Champagne featuring a fine mousse, buttered brioche, green and yellow apples, lemon rind, cucumber and limestone

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: – 90% 2014 harvest, 5% 2013 harvest, 5% 2010 harvest

-Bottled in April 2015, minimum 3 years aged in cellar

-Disgorged in 2018 as Brut with sugar dosage 9 g/l)

-100% of vineyards of Le Mesnil sur Oger are ranked as Grand Cru

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 12, 2019

QUINTA DA AVELEDA VINHO VERDE 2016, DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal

08 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $12.45
Grape: 70% Loureiro, 30% Alvarinho
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Portugal
Region: Vinho Verde
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quinta Da Aveleda
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A refreshing wine that’s crisp and light in body

Positives: Granny Smith apple, gooseberry, passion fruit, honeydew melon and limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with red snapper ceviche

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 8, 2019

LCBO: 89995

STAGS’ LEAP WINERY CHARDONNAY 2016, Napa Valley, California, United States

07 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by in Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stags’ Leap Winery
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich Chard full of expression

Positives: Full body wine featuring lemon, guava, gooseberry, pineapple, crème brûlée, white peach, green & red apples, oak spice, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: Slight heat from the 14.3% alcohol

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill this wine as it will mute its features.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with slow cooked butter chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 7, 2019

LCBO: 655831

VIENI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

05 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A lighter style Cab that’s very pleasant

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, wild cherries, boysenberry, red & black currants, black pepper, cassis and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Pork Medallions in Balsamic Red Currant Sauce.

Tasted: 5 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI SEMI-DRY RIESLING 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

05 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 10% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy drinking Riesling, not too tart, not too sweet with only 10% alcohol

Description: Medium straw to yellow with a green ting in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and some frizzante on the pour. This wine features lemon/lime, green and yellow apples, peach and orange blossom on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Lemongrass Roasted Chicken.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

05 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

An intense New Zealand styled Sauv

Description: Light straw with a green tinge in colour and an intense nose. This wine features guava, gooseberry, grapefruit, lime, green apples, honeydew melon, passion fruit and Lantanas.  Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of 5 years on its own or pair it with Hot and Sour Rhubarb with Crispy Pork.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI PINOT GRIGIO 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Pinot Grigio
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Pinot Grigios on the market

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features grapefruit, green apples, peach and on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: For not being a Pinot Grigio fan, As I prefer Pinot Gris, I do like this wine.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Lemon Chicken Piccata.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI ALLERIA WHITE 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Jan 2019

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Cost: $12.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Vidal
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, citric, pleasant & all at a great price

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lemon, pink grapefruit, green apples, yellow plum and fresh daisies on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Wine has still retained its zest even after 4 years.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Angel Hair Pasta with Clams, Cherry Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic Sauce.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI GAMAY NOIR 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Pleasant bursting with fresh fruit that’s easy drinking & shows why more people should drink Gamay

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features wild cherries, boysenberry, strawberry, black pepper and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill to 15C and use the Balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with pizza topped with mushroom, pepperoni & tomatoes.

Tasted: 7 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended