Category Archives: White Wines

TRIUS CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Friday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $14.95 (Sale price until Feb 28, 2021: $13.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trius Winery
Alcohol:  12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Fruit forward Chard with a touch of oak all at a nice price. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with high acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green & yellow apples, pink grapefruit, pear, peach, honeydew melon, oak spice & ginger.      

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO list this wine as “Full-Body & Rich”. More like medium body & crisp.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years & pair it with Oysters with the Shallot Ginger Vinaigrette.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2021

LCBO: 497248

SILENI LODGE GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2018, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

17 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sileni Estates
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex Chard that is beautifully balanced between the oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, peach, pear, green apples, pineapple, ginger, dill, honey, chamomile, toasted almonds & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “In ancient Greece the Sileni were companions of Dionysus, the god of wine, vineyards and theatre. When there was something to be celebrated, the Sileni were always on hand to encourage enjoyment of delicious food, great wine and social interaction.” Sileni Estates

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Fried Zucchini Spaghetti

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 16, 2021 (Happy birthday Lithuania!)

LCBO: 14561

BEAUTY IN CHAOS CHARDONNAY 2018, Washington State, United States of America

13 Saturday Feb 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beauty in Chaos
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of citric fruits but I’m on the fence with this Chard as it’s simple & not impressive, therefore I feel that it’s overpriced. Should be under $10. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, grapefruit, mandarin & green apples.      

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-4 years & pair it with Lemon Garlic Roast Pork

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: February 13, 2021

LCBO: 15840

FLAT ROCK CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

12 Friday Feb 2021

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price $17.95 until Feb 28, 2021)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Bright, buttery & balanced. Consistently one of the best Chards for under $20. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features buttered toast, lemon, lemon meringue, peach, pear, golden apple, pineapple, ginger, dill, oak spice & marzipan.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO list this wine as “Light & Crisp”. Should be listed as full body & rich.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with steamed lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 12, 2021

LCBO: 286278

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY CIDER 101 CAMPUS BUZZ, SEAN & TOMMY’S MEAD ADVENTURE, Canada

25 Monday Jan 2021

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

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Cost: $15.15
Grape: Honey
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

And now for something completely different. This mead is recommended for those who like white wine that is dry, crisp, clean with sweet & sour notes; this is a great alternative. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Straw to gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features grapefruit, pear, kumquat, lychee, orange zest, honey & Acacia flowers on the nose.

Negatives: The aromatic nose maybe be too pungent for some.

Interesting Point: “Made using honey produced at the Niagara College’s Daniel J Patterson (NOTL) campus. This honey farm (apiary) is managed by the Commercial Beekeeping Program staff and students. The mead is produced by students of the Winery and Viticulture Technician Program under supervision of our Head Winemaker at Niagara College Teaching Winery.” NC

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with sweet & sour pork.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 24, 2021

GÉRARD BERTRAND RÉSERVE SPÉCIALE VIOGNIER 2018, IGP Pays D’Oc, France

23 Saturday Jan 2021

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gérard Bertrand
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistent vintage to vintage & under $15, this Viognier has complexity with lots of stone fruits. Just delicious to drink; just what you need when you’re staying at home due to COVID. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon-lime, orange, apricot, peach, ripe pear, ginger, honey & orange blossom on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Red Snapper Poached in Coconut Milk with Tomatoes, Ginger and Scotch Bonnet.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 22, 2021

LCBO: 147975

THREE THIEVES CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

16 Saturday Jan 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95 (Sale price until Jan 31, 2021: $13.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Three Thieves Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

If you can get past the slight bitter aftertaste, this Chard isn’t that bad. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, orange pith, peach, pear, green apples, figs, vanilla & ginger.

Negatives: A touch too bitter on the aftertaste

Interesting Point: 2017 vintage that I reviewed last year was a lot better.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-4 years & pair it with Chicken Thighs with Orange-Ginger Glaze.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: January 15, 2021

LCBO: 633560

MARQUÉS DE RISCAL VERDEJO 2019, DO Rueda, Spain

14 Thursday Jan 2021

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Cost: $14.14 (Clearance price: $11.35)
Grape: Verdejo
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rueda
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marqués de Riscal
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice crisp white with lots of citric notes & a little tartness on the finish, which is known for the Verdejo grape. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon-lime, clementine, dragon fruit, grapefruit, fennel, dry sage & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 2019 label in the store is different than what the LCBO has on their site. The change is from having Rueda to Verdejo.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Fish tacos with blackened mahi-mahi, escabeche, and mojo aioli.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 14, 2021

LCBO: 36822

LAS MULAS RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2018, Chile

12 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Jan 31, 2021: $11.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Miguel Torres
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking Chard with some complexity. I would recommend this wine at the sale price of $11.95, but on the fence at its current price of $14.95. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, melon, pear, peach, marzipan, light oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: Slight sour note at the back of the throat

Interesting Point: Certified organic

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with a Rueben sandwich on Rye with Sour Pickles.

My Opinion: On-The-Fence

Tasted: January 11, 2021

LCBO: 572362

CONO SUR CHARDONNAY ORGANIC 2019, Chile

11 Monday Jan 2021

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Jan 31, 2021: $11.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice Chard full of citric fruit with good complexity at a great value for under $15. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, pink grapefruit, green apple, pear, peach, light oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Certified organic & Vegan

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Pan Seared Red Snapper with Citrus Mango Salsa.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 10, 2021

LCBO: 230565