Category Archives: Rosés

CHÂTEAU LA VARIÈRE CABERNET D’ANJOU CUVÉE DU ROSSIGNOL 2020, AOP Cabernet D’Anjou, Loire Valley, France

01 Friday Jul 2022

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Cost: $15.99 CI
Grape: Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Cabernet D’Anjou, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château La Varière
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but pleasant semi-sweet rosé. Score: 87/100

Tasting Note: Pale copper in colour with medium acidity, medium nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Peach, Anjou Pear, papaya, lemon drop on the finish & orange blossom on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in a couple of years on its own or pair it with spicy foods.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 1, 2022

CAVE SPRING DRY ROSÉ 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

04 Saturday Jun 2022

Posted by in Canadian Wines, On The Fence, Rosés

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Spring Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple wine with lots of sour notes. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Light salmon in colour with high acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, passionfruit, cranberries, mandarin, white pepper & cardamon seed.

Negatives: Too sour for my taste

Pairings: Drink this in the next couple of years on its own, but goes better when you pair it with food such as Strawberry Gazpacho.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: June 3, 2022

LCBO: 295006

OPHÉLIE ROSÉ 2020, AOP Coteaux D’Aix en Provence, France

27 Wednesday Apr 2022

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 84.3% Syrah, 15.7% Grenache Noir.
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Coteaux D’Aix en Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Le Cellier D’Equilles
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Provence rosé being elegant & crisp. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light rose gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, honeydew melon, pink grapefruit, watermelon, basil, blood orange & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with pan fried prawns.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 26, 2022

LCBO: 20083

CHÂTEAU DE MANISSY LE MOULIN LE MOULIN DE NOTRE DAME TAVEL 2020, AOP Tavel, France

16 Wednesday Mar 2022

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $14.00)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Clairette, Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Tavel
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Manissy
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made, balanced with juicy notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright deep salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberry, raspberry, peach, pink grapefruit, persimmon & cinnamon.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Certified organic and biodynamic by Ecocert and Demeter respectively

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with BBQ sweet chili wings

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at clearance price

Tasted: March 3, 2022

LCBO: 19573

MIRABEAU PURE ROSÉ 2020, AOP Côtes De Provence, France

13 Sunday Feb 2022

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $28.95 (Clearance Price: $20.25)
Grape: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes De Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Mirabeau
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.


Beautifully made this classic Provence rosé is dry, crisp & full of flavour. Score: 93/100

Tasting Note: Pale cooper in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Peach, lychee, pink grapefruit, kiwi, flint & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 2-4 years on its own or pair it with fresh
oysters with an orange and chorizo dressing or spicy prawn dumplings.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at Clearance Price

Tasted: Feb 12, 2022

LCBO: 19847

GASSIER SABLES D’AZUR ROSÉ 2020, AOP Provence, France

22 Wednesday Sep 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: Cinsault, Grenache & Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Advini
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious dry rosé that is elegant & full of flavour. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Rose gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainier Cherries, strawberries, cranberries, peach, Fuji Apples, limestone & bouquet of roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Moroccan quail with rose-petal sauce & cucumber relish.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 21, 2021

LCBO: 33621

LISTEL GRAIN DE GRIS ROSÉ 2020, IGP Terres du Midi, France

22 Tuesday Jun 2021

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $11.80
Grape: Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Terres du Midi, France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Listel
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Best rosé I’ve tasted in a very long time. Fresh, dry & clean rosé with fruity & spicy notes that could sell more than double the selling price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, white peach, blood orange, apricots, nutmeg, dill & lilac on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Winery has been around since 1883. Serve this wine well chilled.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Pan-Roadted Hake & Romesco Sauce with Leeks, Scallions & Fingerling Potatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy, Top Pick

Tasted: June 21, 2021

LCBO: 15568

TRIENNES ROSÉ 2020, IGP Méditerranée, France

25 Tuesday May 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Merlot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Méditerranée
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine de Triennes
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Clean & crisp wine that shows both sour & tart fruits. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light pink in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pink grapefruit, passion fruit, apricot & kiwi.  

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: May 24, 2021

LCBO: 409771

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE ROSÉ 2019, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

10 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality at a great price for this Pinot Noir rosé. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light rose gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features sour cherry, strawberry, McIntosh apples, dragon fruit & roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Alabama smoked ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 9, 2021

KEN FORRESTER PETIT ROSÉ 2019, Western Cape, South Africa

02 Wednesday Dec 2020

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Grenache & Viognier
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ken Forrester Wines
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant, inexpensive rosé which has a nice sour/tart finish. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with high acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features strawberry, sour cherries, raspberry, dragon fruit & granite.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years & pair it with Dong Po Pork [Traditional Braised Pork Belly] especially from Ma Chinese restaurant in St. Catharines.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 2, 2020

LCBO: 553040