Category Archives: White Wines

VIENI GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Gewürztraminer
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, lighter style & not as sweet as your typical GW

Description: Straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light lychee, banana and fermented clementine. Medium body with good acidity, a long length.

Negatives: The fermented clementine creates a bit of a distraction from truly enjoying this wine.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Mango Chutney Chicken.

Tasted: 27 July 2017

My Opinion: On the Fence

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

 

VIENI CHARDONNAY PRIVATE RESERVE 2012, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 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
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario Chards but at a higher price point

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pineapple, mango, cream corn, buttered popcorn, butterscotch, dill, ginger, oak spice, cloves and Easter Lily on the nose. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 -7 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Scallops in Herb Butter Pan Sauce Served with Arugula and Fennel Salad.

Tasted: 22 July 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

FLAT ROCK CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Ontario oaked Chards under $20 by a large part one of the best in the world & this one may just be lead the pack

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ nose. This wine features medium buttered toast, lemon tart, peach, pear, green apple, honeydew melon, pineapple, dill, ginger, oak spice, vanilla and Jasmine on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Ginger Garlic Baked Chicken.

Tasted: 26 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 286278

VIÑA CHOCALAN CHARDONNAY 2016, Valle del Maipo, Chile

27 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.80 (Sale price until 10 Sept 2017: $11.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Valle del Maipo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Viña Chocalan
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant citric dominated Chard especially at the price

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, pineapple, green apples, pear, ginger, dill & Champagne mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note:

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Skillet Chicken With Garlic Herb Butter.

Tasted: 19 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 487280

WESTCOFF ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegance in a glass

Positives: Rich gold in colour and the oak is well integrated. This wine features lemon, apples (McIntosh, green & yellow), peach and light oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill this wine as it will mute the elegance.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 22, 2018

PELLER ESTATES PRIVATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peller Estates Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A touch on the funky side

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, ginger and white mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with

Tasted: 14 October 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17/20

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 383109

MIOLO CHARDONNAY 2015, Campanha, Brazil

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Brazil
Region: Campanha
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Miolo
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Now for something completely different, as in Brazil: Cool climate style Chard that is light & fresh, but doesn’t wow. Nice nose though.

Description: Light gold with a green ting in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features lemon, apple, ripe pear, white pepper and brine. Medium body with good acidity, and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the smaller cool climate style Chardonnay glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 24 October 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17+/20

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 356581

THOMAS GEORGE CATIE’S CORNER VINEYARD VIOGNIER 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $30.85
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Special Order
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Thomas George Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Very impressive. Closest to Condrieu without being one

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine light oak, apricot, lychee, peach, pear, nectarine, yellow plum, golden apple and jasmine on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the smaller cool climate style Chardonnay glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Dong Po Pork (Traditional braised pork belly)

Tasted: 4 November 2017

Top Pick

Highly Recommended

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5+/10, Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

REDSTONE LIMESTONE RIDGE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $38.95 (Clearance price: $27.30)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Red Stone Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality Chard but on the pricey side.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, orange rind, cloves, ginger, caramel covered apple, oak spice, limestone, and some smoke on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: 2015 was far better than the 2014 vintage

Drink now or in the next 4 of years

Tasted: 9 December 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20 (Clearance price: 18/20)

Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 511436

PELLER ESTATES ANDREW PELLER SIGNATURE SERIES CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $31.95 (Clearance price: $22.40)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peller Estates
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A soft not overtly complex Chard with some unique taste & on the pricey side

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, kumquat, mandarin, golden apple, pear and oak spice. Full body with average acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years

Tasted: 11 December 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+/10) Total: 16.5/20 (Clearance price: 17+/20)

On the Fence

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 383075