Category Archives: Winery Review Series

Upon visits to wineries, I will review their wines that they submit to me as well as the winery.

LES MARMITONS GASTRONOMY CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Friday Jan 2017

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

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gastronomy-chard-1

Cost: $19.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Niagara Teaching Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

I love finding unique treasures, especially in Canadian wines, and this wine is one of them

Description: Bright straw to gold to in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, Golden Delicious apples, pineapple, clementine, clove, butterscotch, honey & apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although this wine was aged sur lie in barrel oaks for 14 months and had malolactic fermentation, the wine tastes better in smaller Chablis style glass than the larger Montrachet larger glassware.

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Lemon Sole.

Tasted: 16 January 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

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

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12 BF Chard Pic

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced between citric, tropical fruit, acidity & oak

Description: Medium bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, apple, pineapple, Freestone peaches, oak spice, clove, dill and white flower on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Kate from the Teaching Winery for assisting me at the winery’s tasting area.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with pizza bianche with fior di latte, cherry tomatoes, arugula & prosciutto di Parma

Tasted: 20 August 2016

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BRUT 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

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

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balance brut

Cost: $23.15
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but pleasant sparkler

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features lemon/lime, white peach, green apples and light yeast on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with baked three cheddar cheese.

Tasted: 21 August 2016

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

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

13th STREET CUVÉE ROSÉ BRUT NV, Methode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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13th

Cost: $24.95 (Sale until 28 Feb 2016: $22.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rustic rosé sparkling wine that has underlying charm.

Description: Rustic brick red in colour with a medium intense nose. This sparkling wine features light yeast, strawberry, McIntosh apples, truffles and forest greens. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Originally tasted in 2014, and this batch is better.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Mushroom and Prosciutto, Asparagus and Brie Tartines.

Tasted: 14 February 2016 (Happy Valentines Day)

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20

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

LCBO: 147504

SONO MONTENIDOLI di MARIA ELISABETTA FAGIUOLI

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by in Sono Montenidoli di Maria Elisabetta Fagiuoli, Winery Review Series

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I met Elisabetta on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands during the 1st week of December 2014. She was vibrant, energetic and spirited, just like her wines. Her winery, Solo Montenidoli means “I am the light, the uncontaminated air, the perfumes. I am the winemaker of my land.” So true as her wines, which have been reviewed on my site, express the true representation of the grape as well as the terroir.

A second but just as equal in her passion is her non-profit foundation; Sergio Il Patriarca, that helps troubled children and elderly people in need.

Please visit both the winemaker’s website: www.montenidoli.com, and her foundation; http://www.sergiothepatriarch.org 

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SONO MONTENIDOLI 2006, IGT Tuscany, Italy

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Sono Montenidoli di Maria Elisabetta Fagiuoli

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Sono Montedoli

Cost: $16.00 Euros
Grape Variety: 100% Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location Winery
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sono Montenidoli
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

The true essence of Sangiovese and its terroir

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, sour cherry, bramble fruit, cloves, thyme, oregano, basil, spinach, espresso, cocoa, and leather. Medium+ body with high tannins and acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Decant for a minimum of an hour

Winemaker; Elisabetta Fagiuoli started a non-profit foundation, Sergio Il Patriarca Onlus, that helps troubled children and elderly people in need. Please visit both the winemaker’s website: www.montenidoli.com, and her foundation; http://www.sergiothepatriarch.org

Drink now or in the next 20 years on its own or pair it with pappardelle in tomato sauce

Tasted: 10 Dec 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

IL TEMPLARE MONTENIDOLI 2009, IGT Toscana, Italy

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Sono Montenidoli di Maria Elisabetta Fagiuoli, White Wines

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Montenidol

Cost: $9.70 Euros
Grape Variety: 70% Vernaccia, 20% Trebbiano Gentile, 10% Malvasia Bianca
Category: White Wine
Location Winery
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sono Montenidoli
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Versatile, diverse, interesting, complex and yes yummy

Description: Deep old gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This slightly oxidative wine features Lily on the nose followed by lemon tarts, honey, ginger, orange and guava. Medium+ body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried every white wine glass and the results were the same, delicious.

Winemaker; Elisabetta Fagiuoli started a non-profit foundation, Sergio Il Patriarca Onlus, that helps troubled children and elderly people in need. Please visit both the winemaker’s website: www.montenidoli.com, and her foundation; http://www.sergiothepatriarch.org

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with goat cheese, avocado salad

Tasted: 8 Dec 2014

Best Buy and Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

13th STREET CUVÉE ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE NV, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Sunday Nov 2014

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Rosés, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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13 Street

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

It’s not a full flavour sparkler but still pleasant

Description: Rustic red brick in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features cherry, pomegranate, dried strawberry, pink grapefruit and a light yeastiness to it. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The first bottle I had to return as it was oxidized and lactic

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with roasted salmon with shallot grapefruit sauce.

Tasted: 16 Nov 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 147504

13th STREET PREMIER CUVÉE 2008, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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13 street cuvee

Cost: $34.95 (Clearance: $24.50)
Grape Variety: 51% Pinot Noir, 49% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a quality Ontario sparkling wine

Description: Straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features mild toast, Easter Lily, lemon drops, ginger, pink grapefruit, green apples and limestone. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although this sparkling wine has been aged three years and made in the traditional method, not a lot of yeast and brioche notes, which should please those that want quality Champagne style but don’t like those notes.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with delicate cow’s milk cheeses

Tasted: 5 Oct 2014

Best Buy at the clearance price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 142679

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2O10, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

15 Monday Sep 2014

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

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teaching-winery

Cost: $18.95 (Clearance: $15.20)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

You must like Oaky Chards to like this one, and I do

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. The wine features medium to medium+ toasted oak, lemon tarts, pineapple, green and yellow apples, dill, ginger, butterscotch, vanilla and Allspice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: A bit tart on the finish

Interesting Note: Students from the Niagara College Winery made this wine. If you’re in St. Catharines, Ontario, please visit the college winery as these students produce some great wines.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Renegade Pork with Mango Ginger Rub.

Tasted: 9 Sept 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price 10/10) Total: 18/20

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

LCBO: 40634