Category Archives: White Wines

FREI BROTHERS RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2019, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

26 Thursday May 2022

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Frei Brothers
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see a Russian River Valley Chard that has complexity yet under 14.5% alcohol. Score: 89/100.

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 meringue, green & yellow apples, pear, pineapple, cantaloupe, orange, ginger, buttered toast, butterscotch, vanilla & honeycomb

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This may have gone by the commercially typical Cali Chard; flabby & one dimensional, but the cool winds in the Valley also bring out the citric notes which balances the warm climate & oak notes.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Moroccan Olive Oil & Orange Chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: May 25, 2022

LCBO: 317891

QUAILS’ GATE CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

13 Friday May 2022

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Cost: $26.95 (Clearance Price: $21.60)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quails’ Gate
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Not complexed, but quality with nice crispness in this BC Chard. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, kiwi, pineapple, white peach, Red Delicious apple & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Butter Sauce

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at Clearance Price

Tasted: May 12, 2022

LCBO: 377770

LE BONHEUR CHARDONNAY 2020, Western Cape, South Africa

12 Tuesday Apr 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Le Bonheau
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Lightly wooded this Chard is medium body, clean & crisp. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, yellow plum & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Teriyaki Stir Fry chicken, vegetables on a bed of rice.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 11, 2022

LCBO: 20970

MALIVOIRE ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

05 Tuesday Apr 2022

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Apr 24, 2022: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Malivoire Wine
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Cool climate styled Chard showing lots of crispness. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, pineapple, ginger, oak spice & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with fish & chips.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 3, 2022

LCBO: 573147

ALVI’S DRIFT CHARDONNAY 2020, Western Cape, South Africa

07 Monday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvi’s Drift Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

For an inexpensive Chard, this one packs a lot of flavour & crispness. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold with green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, lime, pineapple, peach, apricot, kumquat, oak spice, ginger & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The vineyards are grown using a philosophy of
sustainability and minimal intervention and are fertilized with natural compost produced on the farm. Only the premium free run juice was used for this wine which was fermented in stainless steel tanks as well as lightly oaked. Left several months on lees before the wine was fined, stabilized and bottled.” AD

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with South Africa Chutney Chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 6, 2022

LCBO: 21151

PELEE ISLAND WINERY VINEDRESSER CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA South Islands, Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Mar 2022

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: South Islands, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good value for a full flavoured Ontario Chard that isn’t overly ripe & balanced. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, quince, apple, pear, butterscotch, marzipan, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with scallops with steak spice on a bed of spaghettini.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 2, 2022

LCBO: 492462

13th STREET WINERY WINE CLUB GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Feb 2022

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Gewurztraminer
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A light style GW dominated by grapefruit. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold with a green tinge in colour, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, lychee, ginger & pear

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with jerk honey chicken wings

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 23, 2022

CAMBRIA KATHERINE’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018, Santa Maria Valley, California, United States of America

19 Saturday Feb 2022

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Santa Maria Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cambria Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Chard with alcohol under 14.5% & it doesn’t break the bank. Taste like lemon meringue pie with spiciness. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold with a green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon meringue pie, peach, pineapple, mango, tangerine, lemon zest, dill, ginger, oak spice, buttered toast & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Women lead, women owned certified sustainable winery

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick
Tasted: Feb 17, 2022
LCBO: 980490


13th STREET WINERY VIOGNIER 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Wednesday Feb 2022

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.


A dry, light, crisp & fruity style Viognier. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lime, apricot pit, white peach, pear, oak spice & a touch of vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 50% fermented & aged for 8 months in seasoned French oak barrels. 50% fermented & aged in stainless steel.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with spicy Pad Thai.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Feb 14, 2022

ARTERRA CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance Price: $21.05)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arterra Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
One of the better made Ontario Chards that seems like a hybrid of Meursault & Puligny-Montrachet styles. Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Rich yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, peach, pineapple, lemon grass, toasted almonds, drawn butter, ginger, oak spice, vanilla, limestone & crushed stones.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use Montrachet style wine glassware & don’t over chill it.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Crab Coconut Thai Soup with Lemon Grass & Rice Noodles

My Opinion: Highly Recommended
Top Pick & Best Buy at Clearance Price
Tasted: Jan 20, 2022
LCBO: 577007