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NIAGARA TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST BLANC DE BLANCS 2019, MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

10 Monday Feb 2025

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

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Cost: $ 35.18
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This new vintage, traditional method Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine has risen to the top of my favourites for Canadian production. It shows crispness & finesse along with good value. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, toast, lemon, pear, green apples & almonds.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “This wine was gently whole cluster pressed to avoid any hard phenolics and maintain a clean, neutral based wine.  It was fermented in stainless steel for primary fermentation and was but on tirage or secondary fermentation in 2020.  This 100% Chardonnay based wine was aged on lees for 54 months.” 

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 6 – 8 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 9, 2025

BARBOURSVILLE VINEYARDS PINOT GRIGIO 2022, Barboursville, Virginia, United States of America

19 Sunday Jan 2025

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

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Cost: $17.00 US
Grape: Pinot Grigio
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: United States of America
Region: Barboursville, Virginia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Barboursville Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Light, crisp & elegant. One of the best Pinot Grigio’s I had the pleasure of tasting. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium straw in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a nice length on the finish. This wine features: Green apples, pear, pineapple & fig.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “Thomas Jefferson, a great lover of fine wine, assisted by Italian viticulturist Filippo Mazzei, attempted to establish a vineyard in Virginia. Finally, in 1976, vitis vinifera vines were successfully established at Barboursville Vineyards on the former plantation of Governor James Barbour, whose mansion was designed by Jefferson, his close friend. This mansion, destroyed by fire on Christmas Day 1884, now preserved as ruins, is a Virginia historic landmark.”

Winemaker’s Note: “In stainless steel for 10 days at 55ºF. On the lees in stainless steel for 9 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with Steamed mussels with saffron, white wine, and fresh tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: January 19, 2025

HENRY OF PELHAM SPARKLING WINE, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

13 Sunday Oct 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale price until Oct 13, 2024: $15.95)
Grape: Blend of white grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A great Canadian alternative to Prosecco. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine to medium mousse, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, peach & pear.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: New to LCBO stores

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes used in this blend were picked in late September to obtain the perfect balance between acidity and sugar. The base wine was fermented cool to preserve aromatics with no malolactic fermentation done in order to maintain freshness. Secondary fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks to produce elegant bubbles. Minimum 30 days aging on lees.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Charcuterie Board.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 13, 2024

LCBO: 37965