Category Archives: White Wines

DE WETSHOF BON VALLON UNWOOD CHARDONNAY 2017, Wo Robertson, South Africa

04 Tuesday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $22.95 (Sale price $19.95 until June 23, 2019)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Robertson
Format: 750 mL
Producer: De Wetshof
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

An unwooded Chard that has citrus, orchard fruit & minerality all at a great price. A great option over Chablis.

Positives: Light gold with a green tinge that features lemon, green apples, pear, guava, pear and limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with raw oysters.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 4, 2019

LCBO: 403675

PIERRE JOURDAN TRANQUILLE CLASSIQUE STILL WINE NV, Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa

29 Monday Apr 2019

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés, White Wines

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Cost:$25 US
Grape:60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: White & Rosé Wine
Location: Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek, Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Haute Cabrière
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A very pleasant wine made like a sparkling wine with Pinot Noir & Chardonnay grapes, but take out the carbonation and ergo you get still wine keeping the same low alcohol level.

Positives: Wine has a light rosé colour, and features lime, kiwi, raspberry, Spy Apples, tangerine and peach.

Interesting Point: “The emphasis of Tranquille being a ‘still Champagne’ type wine relates to the production process, whereby the juice is recovered from whole bunches of grapes that have not been crushed, which excludes the tannins out of the wine structure, creating the fine elegance.” Wine.co.za

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with plethora of different styles of olives.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 18, 2019

CAVE SPRINGS ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Saturday Apr 2019

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $14.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Springs
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a complex wine, but very delightful Canadian Chard with eloquence & it’s under $20

Positives: Bright gold in colour featuring lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, ginger and dill.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with lobster Alfredo.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the Clearance Price

Tasted: April 27, 2019

LCBO: 256552

WESTCOTT PINOT NOIR ESTATE 2015, VQA

07 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A sweeter style Pinot, but without the high alcohol

Positives: Garnet in colour featuring cherry cola, blackberry, tarragon, vanilla, caramel and violets on the nose.

Negatives: A little too sweet for my taste

Ageability: Drink now or over couple of years on its own or pair it with Peking duck.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: March 30, 2019

QUAILS’ GATE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

04 Thursday Apr 2019

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

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $20.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quails’ Gate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic oaked Chard that delivers balance, complexity with tropical fruit, spice & oh yes, it’s delicious

Positives: Bright gold in colour with a long finish that features toasted oak, lemon, peach, pineapple, coconut pie, clove, cinnamon, oak spice, dill, ginger, and on the nose smoked amber and Easter Lily.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I first tried Quails’ Gate Chardonnay in 2006 when a co-worker brought it for me from BC. At the time the LCBO had only a pittance of BC wines. This wine was amazing, so when it hit the LCBO stores some years later I was excited only to be disappointed. The wine was thin and not impressive. Quails’ Gate Chard is now a regular at Vintages, but I was sceptical to try it again. However, it was on clearance so I decided to try it. Glad I did. Restored my faith in this wineries Chard.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: April 4, 2019

LCBO: 377770

STREWN TERROIR CHARDONNAY AMERICAN OAK 2016, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

22 Friday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $32.20
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, oak driven, complex and not for the faint at heart, but oh so good

Positives: Old gold in colour featuring lemon custard, Fuji Apple, Golden Delicious apples, orange peel, mango, pineapple, dill, coconut, vanilla, oak spice, cloves, butterscotch, caramel and smoked fall leaves on the nose.

Negatives: 14.8% alcohol

Interesting Point: Surprisingly the high alcohol is well integrated

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 22, 2019

THE TEACHING WINERY LES MARMITONS: GASTRONOMY FUMÉ BLANC 2017, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

11 Monday Mar 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $23.15
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Wine
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a quality Fumé Blanc from Nièvre from the Loire Valley in France, but wait it’s not, it’s from the teaching winery at Niagara College. Well done!

Positives: Light yellow with a green tinge in colour. This wine features fresh cut grass, lemon/lime, pink grapefruit, guava, dragon fruit, flint, cloves and light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with red snapper ceviche.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: March 11, 2019

MARYNISSEN ESTATES PLATINUM CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

08 Friday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Get 3 for $65.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marynissen Winery
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth but with a zip and complexity brings this Ontario Chard to a next level

Positives: The oak is noticeable, but in this case that’s a good thing. This full body Chard that features lemon drops, apples (green, golden & Spy), mango, pineapple, meringue, dill, coconut, oak spice and Easter Lilly on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I liked the long neck bottle and impressed with the high quality long cork made for aging.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster and drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Best Buy at the buy discount price of 3 bottle = $21.62

Tasted: March 8, 2019

MARYNISSEN ESTATES CHARDONAY 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marynissen Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, silky, smoky along with tropical fruits makes this oaked Chard a beautiful thing

Positives: The oak is nicely balanced in this full body Chard that features lemon, apples (green, golden & Spy), mango, pineapple, meringue, coconut, oak spice and smoked oak with white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with scallops in pasta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 2, 2019

PONDVIEW BELLA TERRA CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nicely balanced, oak inspired Chard

Positives: Medium+ body wine featuring lemon rind, pineapple, golden apples, peach, pear, roasted almonds and oak spice.

Negatives: Has a touch of lemon white pith causing a slight bitterness, which caused my to downgrade this wine from highly recommended to recommended.

Interesting Point: I like the old style label

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster and drawn butter.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 25, 2019