Category Archives: White Wines

KIN VINEYARDS CARP RIDGE CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Ontario, Canada

16 Sunday Nov 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kin Vineyards, Non LCBO Wine, Organic/Sustainability, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $32.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Cap Ridge, Ottawa, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kin Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Versatile Chard made mostly in neutral oak. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, Kumquat, golden apples, pineapple, pear, peach, dill & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Taste better in the oak style chard glass vs the Chablis style ones.

Winemaker’s Note: “Carp Ridge Chardonnay grapes, grown organically as well as biodynamically, were harvested with rigorous selection and sorting, over three days. After gentle pressing and cool settling, the juice was transferred to French Oak Burgundy format cooperage for indigenous fermentation and malolactic conversion over 5 months. Oak profile is 3% New Oak, 85% Neutral Oak and 12% Stainless Steel. Total elevage of 9 months with biweekly battonage for 4 months. Following barrel blending, light bentonite fining and cold stabilization, the wine was bottled with minimal filtration.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Coquilles Saint-Jacques.

My Opinion: Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 15, 2025

KIN VINEYARDS TRAVELER’S CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

31 Friday Oct 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kin Vineyards, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $25.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kin Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

For those Chard lovers that don’t like heavy oak, as this one is unoaked, but still have a full body, tropical fruits & creamy but fresh finish. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Ligh gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, apple, pear, peach, banana & cantaloupe.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Kin Vineyards is located in the Ottawa Valley, but the grapes in this wine come from Niagara Peninsula.

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes were machine picked, destemmed and sorted by harvester before being pressed to extract the juice. Following cold settling, the clear juice was racked to stainless steel fermenter for inoculation with cultured yeast. After 10 days, the fermentation was halted to block the malolactic conversion of acids, bentonite fined and cold settled for 16 days prior to racking to tank for 5 months of tank ageing. Sterile filtration proceeded bottling.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Japanese food.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 18, 2025

LCBO: 17199

LA COLLECTION CHARDONNAY GRAND RESERVE 2024, France

26 Sunday Oct 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $14.25 (Sale price until Nov 9/25: $12.25)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Maison Francois Martenot
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, crisp Chard that’s tasty & nicely priced. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, Quince, pear & Pitahaya.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Works well with larger Chard style glassware as well as Chablis styled ones, but each one gives out different notes.

Winemaker’s Note: 50% stainless steel, 50% neutral oak

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Porchetta.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 25, 2025

LCBO: 42074

BERONIA VIURA 2024, DOC Rioja, Spain

24 Friday Oct 2025

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Nov 9/25: $11.95)
Grape: Viura
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious alternative to the standard white wines consumer’s drink. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with a green hue, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon-lime, kiwi, pineapple, green apples & pear.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes are carefully harvested when the perfect balance between fruit aroma and crisp acidity is reached. They undergo cold maceration, a process where maximum aroma and flavour are extracted before fermentation takes place.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Shrimp Tempura.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: October 20, 2025

LCBO: 44526

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD VIOGNIER 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

12 Sunday Oct 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Viognier style made in Ontario. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium yellow in colour with good acidity, a low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Apricot, tangerine, Golden apples, Quince & lemon pith.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Harvested October 9th 2020 from the estate vineyard. Fermented & aged in neutral French oak barrels for 9 months before a careful barrel selection determined this final blend of 180 cases.”

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 24, 2025

SMOKY BAY BUTTERY CHARDONNAY OPULENCE COLLECTION, NV, Australia

18 Thursday Sep 2025

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Oct 12, 2025: $12.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Smoky Bay
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An entry Aussy Chard that’s has character, good value, but it’s not overtly buttery. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, orange zest, peach, pear, green apples & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t use glassware for oaked Chard as it will show more flatness than using a Chablis style glassware.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: September 17, 2025

LCBO: 40373

WESTCOTT VINEYARDS BLOCK 76 CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

04 Thursday Sep 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $50.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Top quality Canadian Chard that is bold & beautiful without the high alcohol. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, apple, pear, peach, mango, sweet corn, dill, ginger, oak spice, butterscotch & buttery.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Handpicked. Whole cluster pressed. Barrel fermented in neutral oak. All wild fermented & MLF. Barrel aged 16 months with no stirring. Bottle unfiltered.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermador.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 28, 2025

RIDGE ROAD ESTATE WINERY CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Ontario, Canada

20 Sunday Jul 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ridge Road Estate Winery Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Straddles between flabby & crisp. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Medium yellow in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, yellow plum, golden apples & marzipan.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I bought the last bottle at the winery (sorry).

Winemaker’s Note: “Fermented & aged in French Oak with 100% malolactic fermentation at the end.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Satay.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: July 19, 2025

SOUTHBROOK ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Monday Jul 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $47.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Ontario Chard that can compete with the best Chards in the world. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon rind, quince, white cranberry, yellow & green apples, ginger, dill, cloves, oak spice & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic & Biodynamic

Winemaker’s Note: “Whole bunch pressed to cold settle in tank. Racked to ferment wild in barrel and receiving full malolactic conversion. After ten months elevage in French oak barrels (30% new).

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Steamed Lobster & drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 11, 2025

13th STREET WINERY CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

My new Ontario best Chard at under $30. Beautifully made, elegant, creamy with vibrant tropical fruits & some spice. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, green & golden apples, mango, ginger, oak spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes for our Chardonnay 2023 come from select vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula appellation. They were harvested in late September and early October and fermented and aged in French oak and acacia barrels of a variety of sizes (228L, 400L, and 500L). There were 100% malolactic fermentations. After rigorous tasting, winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas decided on the final blend and bottled the wine in January 2025, following light fining and filtration.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Fogo Island cod, soy ginger glaze, charred shitake mushrooms & green garlic.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 29, 2025