Category Archives: Rosés

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

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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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

KRONE ROSÉ BRUT 2017, Méthode Cap Classique, Tulbagh, Western Cape, South Africa

18 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Tulbagh, Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Twee Jonge Gezellen
Alcohol:  11.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

For those that like vintage Champagne rosés but cost 75% less

Positives: Dark salmon to rust in colour with a fine mousse. Wine features yeast, toasted hazelnut, brioche, strawberry, cherry, nectarine and red apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The historic Twee Jonge Gezellen farm in Tulbagh is the home of Krone, a collection of notable, vintage-only South African Méthode Cap Classiques made from grapes grown and night-harvested in this distinctive terroir.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with maple flavoured bacon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 18, 2019

LCBO: 130047