Category Archives: Rosés

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

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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

MAESTRAL ROSÉ 2109, IGP Gard, Southern France

17 Monday Aug 2020

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Grenache blend
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Gard, Southern France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Sinnae
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A fresh, delicious, elegant rosé. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Rose gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features Rainier cherries, pink grapefruit, watermelon, peach, wet stone & roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Nice classic style of the Southern France rosé bottles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 4 yrs. on its own or pair it with Soupe au Pistou (Pistou Soup).

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 17, 2020

LCBO: 15135

CHÂTEAU LÉOUBE ROSÉ DE LÉOUBE 2018, Côtes De Provence, France

30 Tuesday Jun 2020

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

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Cost: $30.95
Grape: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah & Mourvèdre
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes De Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Léoube
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Sometimes is worth paying a higher price for a rosé this good

Tasting Note: Pale salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features Rainier cherries, strawberry, tangerine, Fuji apples with honeysuckle & orange blossoms on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: If you’re not familiar with Tartrates in wine (potassium & tartaric acids coming together to form crystals with are is not a negative in wines), this wine has them.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with BBQ Jerk seasoning back ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 29, 2020

LCBO: 491100

GRAN FEUDO ROSÉ 2018, Navarra, Spain

07 Thursday May 2020

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Cost: $12.85 (Sale price until May 24: $11.35)
Grape: 38% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 21% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gran Feudo
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the best Rosé you can find for under $13

Tasting Note: Rich pomegranate colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. Wine features strawberry, Dragon Fruit, orange.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On the label it list Syrah but not Granache as one of the grapes used. However, on the Gran Feudo’s website it’s the opposite.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with BBQ spare ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: May 7, 2020

LCBO: 165845

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE PINOT GRIS 2018, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

11 Saturday Apr 2020

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Very interesting Pinot Gris that was fermented in neutral French oak barrels, and skin soaked giving the wine that copper colour. Taste is refreshing.

Tasting Note: Copper in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & average length finish. Wine features clementine, green apple, pink grapefruit & pear.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Jerk chicken wings

My Opinion:  Recommended

Tasted: April 11, 2020

CHÂTEAU VAL JOANIS CUVÉE JOANIS 2018, AOC Luberon, Provence, France

12 Thursday Sep 2019

Posted by in On The Fence, Rosés

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Cost: $25.95 (Clearance Price: $20.80)
Grape: Syrah, Grenache & Vermentino
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Luberon, Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Val Joanis
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Bone dry rosé that is more apt for food than drinking own its own

Positives: Light salmon in colour, wine features grapefruit, white cranberry, gooseberry and wet stone on the finish.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Love the shape of the bottle and label.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with grilled pork chops.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: September 12, 2019

LCBO: 556233