Category Archives: Recommended

VIENI PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario Pinot’s at this price range

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, Rainier cherry, red apples, cinnamon and cloves. Medium+ body with light to medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

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

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Duck Breast with Apple Pomegranate Sauce.

Tasted: 27 July 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 SPARKLING ROSÉ BRUT 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Sale price: $19.95)
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but a most pleasant & diverse sparkling rosé

Description: Copper in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features yeast, Anjou pear, wild strawberries and McIntosh apples. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Original price was $29.95, somewhat over priced, but bang on with their sale price of $19.95

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Red Snapper Ceviche with Shallots and Mango.

Tasted: 23 July 2017

Best Buy at the sale price

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

My Opinion: Recommended at $19.95

VIENI SPARKLING CABERNET ICE WINE DOUX 2013, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Fortified & Desert Wine, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended

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Cost: $69.95
Grape: 64% Cabernet Franc, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Desert Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 375 mL
Producer: Vieni Vineyards
Alcohol: 10% Alcohol/Vol.

Uniqueness, but for a price

Description: Red amber in colour with an intense nose and light mousse. This wine features candy coated red apple, plum, blackberry, candied tamarind and honey on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is 260 g/l of sugar

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Duck Confit with Apricot Relish.

Tasted: 17 Aug 2017

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

My Opinion: Recommended

JACK RABBIT ROSÉ 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $15.50
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hare Wine Co.
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sweetness without being overtly sweet

Description: Salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, nectarine, strawberry, a kiss of pink grapefruit and Jasmine on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This Cab Franc is only available to Founder Club members. A reason to join the Club.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Chicken with Herb Roasted Tomatoes and Pan Sauce.

Tasted: 18 September 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

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

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

CASTELLANI CHIANTI RESERVA 2014, Docg Chianti, Tuscany, Itlay

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castellani
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex just a quality DOCG Chianti Reserva at a great price

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium nose. This wine features sour cherry, pomegranates, leather, sage and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Tuscan Sausage Linguine with Zucchini, Chilies and Parmesan.

Tasted: 23 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 970707

VIÑA CHOCALAN CHARDONNAY 2016, Valle del Maipo, Chile

27 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.80 (Sale price until 10 Sept 2017: $11.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Valle del Maipo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Viña Chocalan
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant citric dominated Chard especially at the price

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, pineapple, green apples, pear, ginger, dill & Champagne mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note:

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Skillet Chicken With Garlic Herb Butter.

Tasted: 19 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 17.5+/20

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

LCBO: 487280

BASILICA CAFAGGIO SINGLE ESTATE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012, Docg, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

27 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Basilia Cafagio
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex, but smooth & pleasant to drink

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, sour cherry, raspberry, oregano, sage & mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with light to medium tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Pasta with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage.

Tasted: 18 Aug 2017

My Opinion: Recommended

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

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

LCBO: 421107

LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Mendoza, Argentina

27 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95 (Clearance price: $12.00)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mascota Vineyards
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Cab

Description: Medium ruby to purple in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, dried cherries, blackberry, black olives, raisin, plum, arugula & dried herbs. Medium+ body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Steak Burger with Tangy Caramelized Onions.

Tasted: 16 Aug 2017

Best buy at the clearance price

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 292110

VIENI MOMENTI ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE EXTRA DRY NV, Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, balanced, pleasant & all at a good price

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a light intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, cherry, strawberry and red currants. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 – 5 of years on its own or pair it with Duck Terrine with Cranberries and Pistachios.

Tasted: 30 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

VIENI ALLERIA RED 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: 24.5% Cab Franc, 24.5% Cab Sauvignon, 23% Baco Noir, 20% Maréchal Fosch, 8% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An eclectic mix of classic & hybrid grapes that give you a nice experience

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked pine, strawberry, cherry, candy apple, and Champagne mushrooms. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Tried an open bottle that was 3 days old, and still very good.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Thyme and Spiced Rubbed Roast Beef.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4