Category Archives: Niagara College Teaching Winery

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE VIOGNIER 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

18 Wednesday Dec 2019

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

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Cost: $19.15
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

Excellent value for a quality Viognier

Positives: Bright new gold in colour this wine features peach, apricot, honeydew melon, orange rind, nutmeg and peach pit.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Coquilles St. Jacques.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 17, 2019

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY – A Hidden Gem

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by in Niagara College Teaching Winery, Winery Review Series

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Staff, wine club members & patrons at the winery’s open house

This past Saturday, December 7th, 2019, was an open house at Niagara College Teaching Winery. It was a fun filled day with tastings of wine & cheese, patrons being educated in wine and all the wine was discounted 15% to 20%. Full disclosure; I graduated from Niagara College Sommelier certification back in 2008, and I fully support the great working of this winery and their students who produce amazing wines at great prices.

Earlier this year I became a wine club member. Why? Customer service is great, and where else can you get quality Ontario wines and not spending premium price? The staff really appreciate club members, and we appreciate them. Just a side note: “Lokesh (who is front-centre & in front of me), it’s been hours, where’s my Blanc de Blanc and Brut Sparkling wines for tastings?!” (I always start my visit double fisting with these two great sparkling wines)

Lastly, I would like to thank Chetan, the manager who is to the left with the X on his sweater and beside another club member Brian, for creating a great vibe at the winery, and for keeping his staff’s morale high. Those smiles in the picture are genuine.

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

09 Monday Dec 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $19.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

Creamy but with good backbone acidity to this aged Ontario Chard, which is oak driven with tropical fruit is a great value for under $20

Positives: Bright gold in colour this wine features lemon tart, mango, peach, pineapple, golden apple, ginger, dill, oak spice, butterscotch, roasted almonds.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I first reviewed Balance Brut in August 2016. I enjoyed it then, but more so today as I feel the wine making it has come of age.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with poulet de bresse,

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 8, 2019

24 Sunday Nov 2019

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

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Cost: $25.15
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12% Alcohol/Vol.

True to its namesake, the sparkler is balanced between classic toasted fermentation, fruit, crispness, dryness and acidity

Positives: Golden straw with a slight pink tinge in colour, fine mousse this wine features toasted hazel nuts, brioche, lemon, green apples, pear, blood orange and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I first reviewed Balance Brut in August 2016. I enjoyed it then, but more so today as I feel the wine making it has come of age.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Raspberry Point oysters.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 24, 2019

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Wednesday Nov 2019

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

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Cost: $23.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

An aged Chard this is balanced between the oak, fruit & minerality

Positives: Gold in colour, this wine features medium toast, lemon pie, clementine, green & yellow apples, yellow plums, ginger, dill, oak spice, limestone and Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with grilled buttered halibut.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 29, 2019

TOM THOMSON 100th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION ALGONQUIN RED 2018, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $19.15
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Excellent value red from Ontario made in Bordeaux style

Positives: Dark ruby in colour this wine features cherry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, pomegranate, turmeric, green peppers, pencil shavings, leather, spinach leaves

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Current vintage is far superior than the last one.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with grilled T-Bone steak.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 2, 2019

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST PRESIDENT’S RED 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Saturday Nov 2019

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

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Cost: $31.15
Grape: 43% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of Ontario best blended red wines that is fruit forward with complexity & structure

Positives: Deep ruby to purple in colour having medium tannins and featuring blackcurrants, blackberry, plum, fennel, black & white pepper, cloves, vanilla and spinach leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Spent 21 months in French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 8, 2019

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCED BLANC DE BLANC BRUT 2014, Traditional Method, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $27.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, dry but refreshing with cool climate flavours

Positives: Light gold in colour with a fine mousse that features light brioche, lemon, green apples, pear, grapefruit & dragon fruit.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with baked brie and strawberry jam.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 23, 2019

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY COLLEGE ROSÉ 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Sunday Jun 2019

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

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Cost: $14.15
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured, crisp Rosé with a great price & quality that makes this a top Canadian Rosé

Positives: Pomegranate in colour this wine features Bing cherries, strawberries, Fuji apples, cranberries with roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick, Best Buy & Amazing Pick

Tasted: May 27, 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