Category Archives: Recommended

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY TOM THOMSON WHITE CANOE 2108, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

09 Wednesday Nov 2022

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $22.95
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier and Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

I am normally a traditionalist when it comes to white wine, meaning I’m not crazy when it comes to several blends of white grapes in a wine, but this one was pretty good. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, passion fruit, Dragon fruit, kumquat, & lemon rind.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The Tom Thomson art gallery (The Tom) is a national cultural attraction dedicated to the innovation and spirit of the iconic artist Tom Thomson (1877-1917) whose artwork has been described as being the “visual equivalent of our national anthem”. This wine was created by the Niagara College Teaching Winery in honour of the 50th anniversary of The Tom and 100th anniversary of Thomson’s untimely and mysterious death at Canoe Lake.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 -4 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: November 8, 2022

STREWN TERROIR CHARDONNAY CANADIAN OAK 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Oct 2022

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $35.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see Strewn’s Chards below 14% alcohol. Combination of richness with creaminess & a crispness on the finish. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, orange, cantaloupe, Jonagold apples, ginger, dill, coconut, oak spice, roasted almonds & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Barrel fermented with malolactic fermentation in new and seasoned Canadian oak barrels then left on lees for 11 months in oak with bâttonage as desired.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with pan seared Chilean Sea Bass.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: October 21, 2022

CHÂTEAU LARROGUE 2018, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France

25 Sunday Sep 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $15.95
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ducourt
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Good quality for the price. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, raspberry, cassis, cocoa, tobacco, vanilla, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 24, 2022

LCBO: 92536

COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE RED 2020, IG Alentejano, Portugal

12 Monday Sep 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $15.95
Grape: Trincadeira, Aragonez and Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Alentejo
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ravasqueira
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy, juicy dark fruits followed by spiciness. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, ripe tamarind, blackberries, mushrooms, truffles, cloves, Allspice & suede.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill to 14 – 16C

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Ensopado de borrego (Lamb Stew)

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 10, 2022

LCBO: 11152

PATRIARCHE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE, NV, Crémant de Bourgogne, France

05 Monday Sep 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $21.95
Grape: Pinot Noir, Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Crémant de Bourgogne
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mason Patriarche
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A very pleasant dry sparkling rosé. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Cooper in colour with fine mouse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, sour dough, wild strawberry, red currants & light ginger.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan, Vegetarian

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict Royale.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 3, 2022

LCBO: 16598

LA FLEUR DE FRANÇOIS BLANC BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, AC Bordeaux, France

28 Sunday Aug 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $16.95
Grape: Semillon Blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: La Fleur de François
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Food friendly dry sparkling wine at a good price. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mouse, good acidity, low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light brioche, yeast, lemon, grapefruit, bruised apple, pear, wet stone & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Ackee & Saltfish.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 28, 2022

LCBO: 648170

PIERRE SPARR BRUT RÉSERVE CRÉMANT D’ALSACE, NV, Methode Traditionnelle, AOC Alsace, France

22 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Pinot Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pierre Sparr
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple clean, fruity with minerality. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, low to medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast & brioche, lemon, green apples, pear, peach cobbler & wet flint rocks.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1st review of this sparkling wine was in 2015, and the price was a dollar less, so great for the consumer that in 7 years it’s almost the same price.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Gyoza

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 21, 2022

LCBO: 388603

MURÉ CUVÉE BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Alsace, France

15 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $28.95 (Clearance price: $23.95)
Grape: 25% Pinot Blanc, 25% Pinot Auxerrois, 25% Pinot Gris,15% Riesling, 10% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Rouffach, Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Muré
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Creamy, slender & dry. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, light yeast, green & yellow apples, yellow plum, roasted almonds, pear

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with calamari

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at sale price

Tasted: August 14, 2022

LCBO: 543090

BRAMÌTO DELLA SALA CHARDONNAY 2021, IGP Umbria, Italy

13 Saturday Aug 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Umbria
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Antinori
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A clean, fresh, mineral driven Chard. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, yellow plum, green & yellow apples, toasted almonds, oak spice, ginger, Ciabatta, light vanilla & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Lobster Ravioli

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 12, 2022

LCBO: 176792

BONTERRA ROSÉ 2021, California, United States of America

11 Thursday Aug 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $21.95 (Clearance price: $17.60)
Grape: Grenache based
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bonterra Organic Estates
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp & refreshing with a zesty, food-friendly acidity. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainier cherries, strawberries, watermelon, Blood Orange, cotton candy

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic Winery

Pairings: Drink this now in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with hot & sour soup

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 10, 2022

LCBO: 25116