QUINTA DA AVELEDA VINHO VERDE 2016, DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal

08 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $12.45
Grape: 70% Loureiro, 30% Alvarinho
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Portugal
Region: Vinho Verde
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quinta Da Aveleda
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A refreshing wine that’s crisp and light in body

Positives: Granny Smith apple, gooseberry, passion fruit, honeydew melon and limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with red snapper ceviche

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 8, 2019

LCBO: 89995

STAGS’ LEAP WINERY CHARDONNAY 2016, Napa Valley, California, United States

07 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by in Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stags’ Leap Winery
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich Chard full of expression

Positives: Full body wine featuring lemon, guava, gooseberry, pineapple, crème brûlée, white peach, green & red apples, oak spice, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: Slight heat from the 14.3% alcohol

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill this wine as it will mute its features.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 7, 2019

LCBO: 655831

VIENI BRIGANTI RED 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

06 Sunday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $12.95
Grape: 50% Foch, 25% Baco Noir, 25% Chambourcin
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

3 classic Canadian grapes blended very nicely

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked pine, strawberry, cherry, blueberry, bramble fruit, cloves, cinnamon and Portobello mushrooms. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Tried an open bottle that was 3 days old, and still very good with more of a musty – smoky notes

Use the balloon Pinot Noir style glassware & slightly chill the wine.

Brigantia was the goddess of the largest Celtic tribe in the north of England – the Brigantii. They constantly challenged Roman rule, and armed conflict frequently erupted when the confines of Pax Romana became unbearable. This defiance of convention echoes through the ages and the name “brigand” still describes one who plays outside the rules.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buy

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

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

LCBO: 435792

CHANDON ROSÉ VN, Méthode Traditionnelle, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: 50% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Moët & Chandon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing, dry sparkling rosé that is not complex, but it is very pleasant to drink

Positives: Salmon in colour with a fine mousse that features lightly toasted, strawberry, raspberry and lime.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with smashed twice fried green banana.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 5, 2019

LCBO: 405555

VIENI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

05 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A lighter style Cab that’s very pleasant

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, wild cherries, boysenberry, red & black currants, black pepper, cassis and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Pork Medallions in Balsamic Red Currant Sauce.

Tasted: 5 Aug 2017

Best Buy

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

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

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI SEMI-DRY RIESLING 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

05 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 10% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy drinking Riesling, not too tart, not too sweet with only 10% alcohol

Description: Medium straw to yellow with a green ting in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and some frizzante on the pour. This wine features lemon/lime, green and yellow apples, peach and orange blossom 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 Lemongrass Roasted Chicken.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2017

Best Buy

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

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

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI RIESLING 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

05 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A dry Riesling full of citric flavours that craves for food

Description: Medium straw to yellow with a green ting in colour with a medium intense nose and some frizzante on the pour. This wine features lemon rind, grapefruit, green apples, passion fruit and limestone. 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 Sweet and Sour Passionfruit & Pineapple Chicken.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2017

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

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

My Opinion: On the Fence

VIENI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

05 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

An intense New Zealand styled Sauv

Description: Light straw with a green tinge in colour and an intense nose. This wine features guava, gooseberry, grapefruit, lime, green apples, honeydew melon, passion fruit and Lantanas.  Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of 5 years on its own or pair it with Hot and Sour Rhubarb with Crispy Pork.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2017

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

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

My Opinion: Recommended

MEIOMI CHARDONNAY 2016, Sonoma-Monterey-Santa Barbara Counties, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: 34% Sonoma County, 33% Monterey County, 32% Santa Barbara
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Meiomi Wines
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Sour Ritz crackers

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: January 4, 2019

VIENI PINOT GRIGIO 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Pinot Grigio
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Pinot Grigios on the market

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features grapefruit, green apples, peach and on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: For not being a Pinot Grigio fan, As I prefer Pinot Gris, I do like this wine.

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

Tasted: 3 Aug 2017

Best Buy

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

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

My Opinion: Recommended