WOLFBERGER BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE, NV Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Alsace, France

16 Tuesday Aug 2022

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Wolfberger
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your typical brut made in the traditional method as it’s less yeasty & more creamier, all at a great price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Biscuit, lemon zest, peach, ripe pear, honeydew melon & shale.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Dragon Roll sushi

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 11, 2022

LCBO: 460832

MURÉ CUVÉE BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Alsace, France

15 Monday Aug 2022

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Cost: $28.95 (Clearance price: $23.95)
Grape: 25% Pinot Blanc, 25% Pinot Auxerrois, 25% Pinot Gris,15% Riesling, 10% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Rouffach, Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Muré
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Creamy, slender & dry. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, light yeast, green & yellow apples, yellow plum, roasted almonds, pear

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with calamari

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at sale price

Tasted: August 14, 2022

LCBO: 543090

BRAMÌTO DELLA SALA CHARDONNAY 2021, IGP Umbria, Italy

13 Saturday Aug 2022

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Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Umbria
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Antinori
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A clean, fresh, mineral driven Chard. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, yellow plum, green & yellow apples, toasted almonds, oak spice, ginger, Ciabatta, light vanilla & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Lobster Ravioli

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 12, 2022

LCBO: 176792

BONTERRA ROSÉ 2021, California, United States of America

11 Thursday Aug 2022

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance price: $17.60)
Grape: Grenache based
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bonterra Organic Estates
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp & refreshing with a zesty, food-friendly acidity. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainier cherries, strawberries, watermelon, Blood Orange, cotton candy

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic Winery

Pairings: Drink this now in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with hot & sour soup

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 10, 2022

LCBO: 25116

VAL D’OCA PROSECCO, DOCG Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Veneto, Italy

09 Tuesday Aug 2022

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Aug 14, 2022: $17.95)
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Veneto
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Val d’Oca
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant Prosecco with substance. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Apple, pear, peach, honeydew melon & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Cool bottle

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with charcuterie and cheese tray

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 7, 2022

LCBO: 340570

FLAT ROCK CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Sunday Aug 2022

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Aug 14, 2022: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently one of the best Ontario Chards under $20 that is balanced with citric, spice, oak for a rich & full body wine. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, yellow plum, Golden delicious apples, kumquat, lemon custard, toffee, ginger, oak spice, honey & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I like the new label for the 2021 vintage

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with snow crabs

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 6, 2022

LCBO: 286278

CHÂTEAU HAUT-MAZIÈRES 2019, AC Bordeaux, France

06 Saturday Aug 2022

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Haut-Mazières
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely made, expressive with lots of fruits & spice. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberry, plum, mulberry, Allspice, turmeric, graphite & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Spent 12 months in oak barrels.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Mongolian Beef.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 5, 2022

LCBO: 487546

GRAN FEUDO ROSADO 2021, DO Navarra, Spain

04 Thursday Aug 2022

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Cost: $13.05 (Sale price until Aug 14, 2022: $11.55)
Grape: 85% Garnacha, 15% Merlot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Gran Feudo
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive rosé that offers a lot for the money. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Dark watermelon in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberry, watermelon, red plum,

Negatives: None

Elaboration: After keeping the must in contact with the skins for 6 to 12 hours, it is separated by gravity and fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature.

Interesting Point: Wine is Vegan friendly.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with Sautéed prosciutto with caramelized onions and tossed in a rosé sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 3, 2022

LCBO: 165845

VAUCHER PÈRE & FILS FLEURIE 2020, AC Fleurie, Beaujolais, France

03 Wednesday Aug 2022

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Fleurie, Beaujolais
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vaucher Père & Fils
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth like silk, now this is what Gamay is supposed to taste like & all at an amazing price. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, light tannin, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, strawberry, raspberry, nectarines,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill the wine to 15C & use a balloon style glassware. Fleurie is named after a Roman general, Floricum, rather than for any floral traits in the wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with escargot.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 1, 2022

LCBO: 534339

ALVI’S DRIFT BRUT BLANC DE BLANC, NV, South Africa

01 Monday Aug 2022

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance Price: $14.75)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Alvi’s Drift
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp clean brut sparkling wine offering good value for the quality of wine. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Passion Fruit, lemon, green apples & pear.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Charmat method

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with Sushi.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 31, 2022

LCBO: 21163