Where: Lakeview Cellars Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario What: Reserve Syrah 2007 Niagara Peninsula VQA Price: $19.95 LCBO and winery Tasting Note: 2007 was one of Niagara’s best vintages for red wines and Lakeview’s Reserve Syrah helps prove this point. This is a rich, full bodied spicy syrah that can compete on flavour and aroma with many … Continue reading »
Each year, Wine Access magazine holds a professionally judged tasting of Canadian wines. Here’s run down of best in class for Ontario wines 2012: Red Single Varieties: Gamay Bronze Huff Estates 2008 Reserve Gamay, Ontario $25 Red Blends Gold Wayne Gretzky 2007 Estate Series Cabernet Merlot, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $22 Silver Niagara College … Continue reading »
Where: Beamsville Bench, Ontario What: Angels Gate Pinot Noir 2009 Niagara Peninsula VQA 13.0% alc. Price: $14.95 LCBO Tasting Note: Angels Gate Winery has produced a wonderful pinot noir for $15. Wow. This light burgundy-coloured wine exhibits aromas of cherry, cola, cigar box and old leather. Its light bodied with fine tannins that balance flavours … Continue reading »
Where: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario What: Pillitteri Estates Cabernet Merlot 2010 45% cabernet sauvignon, 45% cabernet franc, 10% merlot Niagara Peninsula VQA 12.5% alc. Price: $12.95 LCBO, $13.20 Winery Store Tasting Note: For $12.95, this is a great bottle of wine. You’ll get a nose full juicy cran-strawberry, vanilla and sweet spice. The wine has an initial … Continue reading »
Where: Beamsville, Ontario What: Malivoire Gamay 2011 Niagara Peninsula VQA 12.5% alc. Price: $17.95 LCBO & Winery Tasting Note: This light bodied gamay appears the colour of translucent bing cherries. It’s aromas are a mix of cherry syrup, leather, vanilla and rose. The first few sips are all sour cherry candy, followed by some warm … Continue reading »
Where: Niagara Escarpment & Twenty Valley Wine Region (Jordon, Ontario) What: Creekside Estate Cabernet Shiraz 2010 Niagara Peninsula VQA 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Shiraz 13.0% alc. (per the bottle) 839 Cases produced Price: $16.95 LCBO & Winery Store Tasting Note: This red blend presents a dark, lush purple colour in the glass. The wine has … Continue reading »
Where: Niagara-on-the-Lake is a source for “some of the special grapes” in this wine, according to the bottle. What: Cottage Block Merlot 2010 Produced by Strewn Winery Niagara Peninsula VQA 13.0% alc. Price: $14.95 LCBO & Winery Tasting Note: Strewn Winery’s Cottage Block Merlot is a light bodied easy drinking wine. The nose contains sweet … Continue reading »
Where: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario What: Trius Red 2010 Produced by Trius Winery at Hillebrand 43% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc & 27% Cabernet Sauvignon Niagara Peninsula VQA 13.5% alc. Price: $22.95 at LCBO, Winery, Aisle 43 & Vineyard Estate Wines Tasting Note: Trius Red has an elegant nose of leather, plum, mild black currant and soft black … Continue reading »
Where: 77% Beamsville Bench, 17% Lincoln Lakeshore, 5% Niagara River What: Cave Spring Gamay 2010 Niagara Peninsula VQA 13.0% alc. Price: $14.95 LCBO & Winery Tasting Note: I’ve had this wine a couple of times and am surprised at its full flavour (for a lighter wine) after a couple of … Continue reading »
Where: Niagara Escarpment (Vineland, Ontario) What: Vineland Estate Winery 2008 Dry Riesling Niagara Peninsula VQA 10.0% alc. 985 Cases Produced Price: $12.95 Winery Store $13.95 LCBO Tasting Note: This is Vineland’s basic dry riesling (sugar code 0). This winery works with a lot of riesling, so I thought I’d try out the entry level bottle. … Continue reading »
