Showing posts with label champagne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label champagne. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedWednesday, December 27, 2023

Pommery Pink POP Rosé Champagne (France) - Wine Review



Since it is the season for bubbly, sparkling wine review is a delicious Champagne that is packaged in a convenient, wallet-friendly, and individually-sized Piccolo bottle of 200 mL. It was a brand-new arrival in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection - and still widely available - and makes a fine option for when you don't want to open a full 750 mL bottle.

It is produced by Champagne Pommery, a prestigious Champagne house with a rich history that was founded in 1836 by Alexandre Louis Pommery. However, it was only after his death in 1958, that his young widow, Madame Pommery, took over with a drive to conquer national and international markets by inventing the luxurious image of the Pommery brand and steering the Maison to success and glory.

One of the lasting legacies of Madame Pommery was the creation of the first vintage brut Champagne in 1874, a dry style of traditional method sparkling wine that was a revolution in Champagne during a time when the prevailing taste was sweet-toothed. The success of this wine led to a new dynasty in Champagne, while also establishing the fame and style of Maison Pommery.

Pommery has always challenged generally accepted ideas by imposing its innovative and avant-garde approach. During the 1930s, Maison Pommery launched a quartet of Veuve Pommery (VP) Champagne in a 200 mL format, an idea that was initially conceived by Marquis Melchior de Polignac, son of Madame Pommery, and contributed to the expansion of the Pommery brand to international markets.

Following the success of VP, Pommery was the first to launch the POP Champagne range of wines in 1999, which revolutionized the market for Champagne. Today, the Pommery POP range consists of POP (in a blue bottle), Pink POP (this bottle), and the Gold POP Vintage Champagne which is crafted from only classified Grand Cru vineyards. All three wines are packaged in Piccolo bottles and was the first Champagne especially blended to be consumed directly from the bottle or with a straw.

In keeping with the spirit of POP, Pink POP remains resolutely young and fresh, with a delicious flavour that is almost sensual. It was produced according to the same principals that Pommery holds so dearly in the production of its rosé wines - a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot wines, with a dash of red wine. Let's see how this Pink POP Rosé Champagne is tasting tonight...

Pommery Pink POP Rosé Champagne (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

POMMERY PINK POP ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#16944) (D) (200 mL) - $19.95
Crafted with Chardonnay and Pinot, this has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose of fine autolytic, toasty, and brioche characters accented with strawberry and cherry. There's an appealing kiss of sweetness on the cherry, strawberry, toasty, and brioche flavoured palate that is a touch spicy. It has crisp and lively acidity and bubbles, as well as some delicious autolytic notes on the mid-palate. The finish is long, dry, and crisp, with leesy mineral and very good length. A solid, recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious sparkling wines by Champagne Pommery are available at the LCBO, and through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, December 13, 2023

December 16, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Bubbles

LCBO Wine Picks: December 16, 2023 VINTAGES Release
Happy Holidays! Here's my top wine picks from the last release of the year! The theme surrounding the December 16 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection is titled "Bubbles" and focuses on sparkling wines for the holidays. There are 92 wines in the release, a bit on the small side compared to recent releases, with southern Rhône wines showing well among my picks. All the wines in this release should be available in stores across Ontario by this Saturday!

We'll begin with the theme on sparkling wines, and of the fourteen bubblies included as part of the theme, just three are among my top sparkling wine picks. At the top of the heap are a pair of Vintage Champagnes, both 2015, with the Nicolas Feuillatte composed of 100% Pinot Noir, while the Veuve Clicquot is an Essentials product, and it is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 20% Meunier. On the more wallet-friendly side, we have a lovely Cava from Spain that is crafted with 75% Macabeo and 25% Chardonnay.

Segura Viudas Heredad Reserva Brut Cava (92 pts)

Southern Rhone blends lead the way among my red wine recommendations, and at the top of the list is a lovely, organic Châteauneuf-du-Pape that is made with 13 varieties - 50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, 8% Cinsault, Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Counoise, Terret, Roussanne, Picpoul, and Picardan. The Lirac red is composed of 50% Grenache Noir, 15% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% Carignan, and 10% Mourvèdre, while the Costières de Nîmes red is a blend of 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 5% Mourvèdre. Lastly, the Côtes du Rhône is crafted with 85% Grenache, 10% Shiraz, and 5% Mourvèdre. Other blends include the Chilean red from Maipo Valley that is composed with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Carmenere, while the Argentine Malbec includes 6% Petit Verdot. The last blend is the Super Tuscan that is crafted with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. Some of the mono-varietal wines include the Morgon, which is made with Gamay, while the Barolo is crafted with Nebbiolo.

Château Maucoil Privilège Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020 (94 pts)Susana Balbo Signature Malbec 2021 (89 pts)

Santa Ema 60/40 Barrel Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2021 (88+ pts)

Among my white wine picks, there are only two wines that are blends - the wine from Greece is a blend of 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri, and 5% Aidani, while the Rhône white was aged in barrels and is composed of 60% Roussanne, 25% Viognier, and 15% Grenache Blanc. Mono-varietal wines include a pair of Chardonnays - a Chablis 1er Cru from Burgundy and one from South Africa, as well as a pair of Sauvignon Blancs - one from Loire and the other is from New Zealand, while the last dry white wine is a Pecorino from Abruzzo in Italy. If you fancy something a little on the sweet side, look at the Riesling from Niagara.

Château de Nages JT White 2021Atlantis Dry White 2022 (90+ pts)

Again, this is the last release of the year, so you'll want to stock up from this release or some other recent release for any holiday gatherings. Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release and have a safe & happy holiday!

Red Wine:

  • SANTA EMA 60/40 BARREL RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON / CARMENÈRE 2021 - Sustainable, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#34606) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • HALOS DE JUPITER CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2021 - AC, France (#276956) (XD) - $18.95
  • ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Vegan, DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#606764) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2021 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#79798) (XD) - $20.95  89 pts  wine review
  • LOUIS AÎNÉ & FILS MORGON 2022 - AP, Beaujolais, France (#35464) (XD) - $22.95
  • WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2021 - Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
  • CHÂTEAU DE NAGES JT 2020 - AC Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#736876) (XD) - $29.95
  • CHÂTEAU DE MONTFAUCON BARON LOUIS LIRAC 2018 - AP, Rhône, France (#13438) (XD) - $32.95
  • TENUTA SETTE PONTI CROGNOLO 2020 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#727636) (XD) - $34.95
  • CHÂTEAU MAUCOIL PRIVILÈGE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2020 - AC, Rhône, France (#16210) (XD) - $62.95  94 pts  wine review
  • RENATO RATTI MARCENASCO BAROLO 2019 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#713479) (XD) - $75.95
Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2021 (90 pts)Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (89 pts)

White Wine:

  • LE BONHEUR CHARDONNAY 2022 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#20970) (XD) - $17.95
  • FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE 2022 - DOP, Abruzzo, Italy (#573683) (XD) - $17.95
  • MEGALOMANIAC NARCISSIST RIESLING 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#67587) (D) - $19.95
  • TWO RIVERS CONVERGENCE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#277707) (XD) - $22.95
  • ATLANTIS DRY WHITE 2022 - Greece (#371658) (XD) - $22.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • CHÂTEAU DE NAGES JT WHITE 2021 - AC Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#485854) (XD) - $29.95
  • JEAN PABIOT ET FILS DOMAINE DES FINES CAILLOTTES POUILLY-FUMÉ 2022 - Sustainable, AP, Loire, France (#695908) (XD) - $34.95
  • LA CHABLISIENNE GRANDE CUVÉE CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#685222) (XD) - $54.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • SEGURA VIUDAS HEREDAD RESERVA BRUT CAVA - Traditional method, DO, Penedès, Spain (#558825) (D) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review
  • NICOLAS FEUILLATTE BLANC DE NOIRS GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE 2015 - AC, Chouilly, France (#18130) (D) - $92.95
  • VEUVE CLICQUOT PONSARDIN BRUT VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE 2015 - AC, France (#508614) (XD) - $120.95

Fortified Wine:

  • HIDALGO FARAON OLOROSO SHERRY - DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Spain (#471078) (XD) (500 mL) - $23.95  91+ pts  wine review
Hidalgo Faraon Oloroso Sherry (91+ pts)


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  • Date publishedWednesday, December 14, 2022

December 17, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Festive Sparklers

LCBO Wine Picks: December 17, 2022 VINTAGES Release
The final release of the year is the December 17, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release and it's theme is focused on sparkling wines for festive celebrations. Also included in this release are selection of Flagship and Online Exclusive wines. All of these wines should be available in stores or online by this Saturday.

We start with the theme on Festive Sparkling Wines, with a dozen wines featured, but just one included among my top sparkling wine picks - a non-vintage Prosecco crafted with 100% Glera. Fear not, there are many other delightful bubblies throughout the release, including an excellent local offering from Niagara that is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. There is also a higher-end vintage Prosecco which is made with 100% Glera, while both wines from Champagne are blends of consisting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with all three sparkling wines only available online or at Flagship locations.

Belcanto di Bellussi Special Cuvée Extra Dry Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore (89 pts)

Among my top red wine picks, the Wine of the Month is from Roussillon and it is a blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Mourvedre, and 10% Grenache. Other blends include a Chilean red that consists of 95% Syrah and 5% Roussanne, while the Rioja is a blend of 76% Tempranillo, 22% Garnacha, and 2% Viura. The last of the blends is the Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley which is actually consists of 94.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.2% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, while the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is crafted with mainly Sangiovese, plus small quantities of complementary varieties. Single varietals wines from Italy include the Brunello di Montalcino that is made with Sangiovese, the Barolo made with Nebbiolo, and the wine from Umbria that is made with Sagrantino, while the wine from Beaujolais in France is crafted with Gamay.

Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (93 pts)Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 2017 (92+ pts)

Lungarotti IlBio Rosso 2020 (88+ pts)

The aren't any blends among my white wine recommendations, but it is a Chardonnay wine lover's delight with five wines in total coming from Burgundy and California, as well as a pair of lovely Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand. From Italy, the white wine from Sicily is made with the indigenous Carricante, and from Piedmont there is a nice Arneis. For those that prefer wines with some sweetness, you'll want to pick up the medium-sweet Riesling from Niagara.

Closerie des Alisiers Trilogie de Terroirs Pouilly-Fuissé 2020 (92+ pts)Jean-Marc Brocard Sainte Claire Chablis 2020 (91 pts)

Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (90 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from release and have a safe and happy holiday!

Red Wine:

  • HOLLICK THE BARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#18525) (XD) - $17.95
  • EL ESTECO BLEND DE EXTREMOS MALBEC 2021 - Valles Calchaquíes, Argentina (#24863) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
  • EMILIANA SALVAJE SYRAH/ROUSSANNE 2021 - Vegan, Valle Casablanca, Chile (#19246) (XD) - $19.95
  • VENTISQUERO GREY GLACIER SINGLE BLOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Trinidad Vineyard, Valle del Maipo, Chile (#485474) (XD) - $19.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • CHÂTEAU ROMBEAU L'ÉLEVÉ CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2018 - AP, Languedoc, France (#28411) (XD) - $21.95
  • DOMAINE ANITA TRES VIEILLES VIGNES LES CAVES MOULIN-À-VENT 2020 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#28706) (XD) - $21.95  FE

  • LUNGAROTTI ILBIO ROSSO 2020 - IGT Umbria, Italy (#16573) (XD) - $26.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • DEI VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#285510) (XD) - $34.95
  • COL D'ORCIA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#306852) (XD) - $54.95  92+ pts  wine review
  • ROCCHE COSTAMAGNA ROCCHE DELL'ANNUNZIATA BAROLO 2017 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#413484) (XD) - $54.95
  • HERMANOS HERNÁIZ FINCA LA EMPERATRIZ VIÑEDO SINGULAR TINTO 2017 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#16594) (XD) - $58.95  FE
  • SILVER OAK ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#943472) (XD) - $143.95  93 pts  wine review
Ventisquero Grey Glacier Single Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (91+ pts)El Esteco Blend de Extremos Malbec 2021 (89 pts)

White Wine:

  • TENUTA FRATELLI POVERO TERRE DEL CONTE ROERO ARNEIS 2021 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#436915) (XD) - $17.95
  • ROCKWAY VINEYARDS RIESLING 2020 - Small lot, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#30739) (M) - $20
  • ESK VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#12638) (XD) - $21.95  90 pts  wine review
  • AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Sustainable, Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#663286) (XD) - $21.95
  • TORNATORE ETNA BIANCO 2021 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#577676) (XD) - $24.95
  • JEAN-MARC BROCARD SAINTE CLAIRE CHABLIS 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#356634) (XD) - $28.95  91 pts  wine review
  • CLOSERIE DES ALISIERS TRILOGIE DE TERROIRS POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#26440) (XD) - $37.95  92+ pts  wine review
  • HARTFORD COURT RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2020 - Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#404277) (XD) - $44.95
  • DOMAINE JEAN-MARC BROCARD CÔTE DE LÉCHET CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#181305) (XD) - $48.95  FE
  • CALERA MT. HARLAN CHARDONNAY 2019 - Mt. Harlan, Central Coast, California, USA (#16406) (XD) - $70.95  FE

Sparkling Wine:

  • BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI SPECIAL CUVÉE EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE - DOCG, Italy (#53215) (D) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review
  • 13TH STREET PREMIER CUVÉE SPARKLING 2015 - Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#142679) (XD) - $39.95
  • PRIMO FRANCO GRAVE DI STECCA BRUT PROSECCO 2016 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#422758) (D) - $48.95  FE
  • FRESNE DUCRET LA GRANDE HERMINE 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE 2008 - AC, France (#14636) (XD) - $79.95  FE
  • MARC HEBRART MES FAVORITES VIEILLES VIGNES BRUT CHAMPAGNE 1ER CRU - Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, AC, France (#26655) (XD) - $79.95  FE

Dessert Wine:

  • LAKEVIEW CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON ICEWINE 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471813) (S) (200 mL) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review
Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine 2017 (92 pts)

Fortified Wine:

  • CALEM 20-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#10902) (S) - $56.95


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  • Date publishedWednesday, March 18, 2020

March 21, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Classic Euro Regions + Okanagan + Annapolis

LCBO Wine Picks: March 21, 2020 VINTAGES Release
In these extraordinary times with COVID-19 at top of mind, this post seems almost irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. However, since the LCBO is still open (with reduced hours as of Thursday, March 19) and I think we would all like to step back and take a breather from all of the Coronavirus pandemic news, the next batch of new wines arriving at the LCBO are from the LCBO VINTAGES Release. The main theme of the Release focuses on wines from Classic Euro Regions, while the mini-theme looks at the Canadian wine regions of the Okanagan and Annapolis Valleys. So long as LCBO outlets remain open, the new wines from this Release will be on shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the main theme that looks at eleven classic wine regions of Europe: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Rhône, Loire, Rioja, Tuscany, Veneto, Piedmont, Mosel, and Port. These are some of the world's most venerable and venerated wine regions, and with twenty wines featured as part of this theme, six are included among my top wine picks. From Hautes-Côtes de Beaune in Burgundy is a Pinot Noir, while the Champagne is a blend of 52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay. Also from France, there are a pair of very nice Rhône reds - the Côtes du Rhône is a blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, and 15% Syrah, while the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is also primarily Grenache with Mourvedre and Syrah completing the blend. From Italy, the Amarone from Veneto consists of 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, and 5% Molinara. Last but not least, there is a very nice Riesling Kabinett from the Mosel.

The mini-feature on wines from the Okanagan (British Columbia) and Annapolis (Nova Scotia) Valleys features a combined total of just five wines. While none of the wines from the mini-theme made my list of wine picks, there are a couple of noteworthy wines such as the Burrowing Owl Merlot ($40, #585737) from British Columbia, and the now-iconic Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 Sparkling ($25, #256289) sweet bubbly from Nova Scotia.

From my red wine picks, the Portuguese red is a blend of 35% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), 25% Tinta Barroca, 25% Touriga Franca, and 15% Touriga Nacional, while the red from South Africa is made with 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cinsaut, 12% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Merlot. The last red that is a blend is the 2010 Rioja that consists of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, and 5% Maturana. The rest of the reds are all single varietal wines made with Garnacha from Spain, Cabernet Franc from Niagara, Malbec from Argentina, and a Shiraz and Pinot Noir that are both from Australia.

Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir 2018 (89 pts)

Among my top white wine picks, the white wine from Greece is a blend of 60% Malagouzia, 20% Asyrtiko, and 20% Chardonnay, while the White Meritage from Niagara consists of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. There are a pair of delightful single varietal white wines from Italy - Grillo and Greco. Lastly, there are a pair of delicious Rieslings - an off-dry version from Alsace, and a medium-sweet version from Niagara.

Gorghi Tondi Coste a Preola Grillo 2018 (88 pts)

In sparkling wines, the Cava is a blend of 65% Parellada, 20% Xarel-lo, and 15% Macabeu, while the fortified wine from Niagara is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet, and Shiraz that was fortified with a Cabernet Franc brandy.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers and stay safe!

Red Wine:

  • EL VIVERO DE USALDÓN COLECCIÓN ORIGEN GARNACHA 2018 - Finca Casa Balaguer, DO Alicante, Spain (#13624) (XD) - $15.95
  • CASA FERREIRINHA PAPA FIGOS TINTO 2018 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#11157) (XD) - $15.95
  • CAVE SPRING CABERNET FRANC 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#523001) (XD) - $17.95
  • YALUMBA ORGANIC SHIRAZ 2018 - South Australia (#280883) (XD) - $17.95
  • ANDELUNA ANDUCO LIMITED EDITION MALBEC 2017 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#12025) (XD) - $19.95
  • XAVIER VIEILLES VIGNES CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#12987) (XD) - $20.95

  • INNOCENT BYSTANDER PINOT NOIR 2018 - Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (#178897) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
  • LE RICHE RICHESSE 2016 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13320) (XD) - $23.95
  • DOMAINE MAZILLY PÈRE & FILS CLOS DU BOIS PRÉVOT BOURGOGNE HAUTES-CÔTES DE BEAUNE 2017 - AC, Burgundy, France (#11904) (XD) - $28.95
  • CONDE DE VALDEMAR GRAN RESERVA 2010 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#960427) (XD) - $29.95
  • LA FERME DU MONT VENDANGE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2017 - AP, Rhône, France (#309245) (D) - $52.95
  • MICHELE CASTELLANI CINQUE STELLE AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2015 - Collezione Ca' del Pipa, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#75127) (D) - $53.95

White Wine:

  • GÉRARD BERTRAND RÉSERVE SPÉCIALE VIOGNIER 2018 - IGP Pays d'Oc, Roussillon, France (#147975) (XD) - $14.95
  • MEGA SPILEO CUVÉE III WHITE 2018 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#14186) (XD) - $17.95
  • GORGHI TONDI COSTE A PREOLA GRILLO 2018 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#11670) (XD) - $17.95  88 pts  wine review
  • CATENA ZAPATA APPELLATION TUPUNGATO CHARDONNAY 2017 - Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina (#10964) (XD) - $19.95
  • ADAMO FOXCROFT RIESLING 2017 - Grower's Series, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11236) (M) - $19.95
  • RUHLMANN VIEILLES VIGNES COTEAU DU BLETTIG RIESLING 2016 - AC Alsace, France (#10722) (D) - $21.95
  • MONTEMAJOR GRECO DI TUFO 2018 - DOCG, Campania, Italy (#10955) (XD) - $23.95
  • JACKSON-TRIGGS GRAND RESERVE WHITE MERITAGE 2018 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#360297) (XD) - $25.95
  • DR. LOOSEN ERDENDER TREPPCHEN RIESLING KABINETT 2017 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#393181) (S) - $29.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • STARS BRUT NATURE RESERVA CAVA 2016 - Traditional method, DO, Spain (#515221) (D) - $16.95
  • THIRTY BENCH SPARKLING RIESLING - Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#469478) (XD) - $38.95
  • PIPER-HEIDSIECK BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2012 - AC, France (#409326) (XD) - $79.95

Fortified:

  • UNION FORTÉ 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#361758) (S) (500 mL) - $17.95


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  • Date publishedWednesday, December 4, 2019

December 7, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Festive Get-Togethers

LCBO Wine Picks: December 7, 2019 VINTAGES Release
The December 7, 2019 VINTAGES Release is the final release of the year and it's a mono-themed release featuring Fine Wines for Festive Get-Togethers, which also includes a fine selection of sparkling wines. All of the wines from this release will be on shelves by this Saturday, with a subset possibly arriving a bit later.

We begin with feature on table wines for Festive Get-Togethers. There are 18 wines listed as part of this theme, of which five are included among my wine picks. The lone white wine from this part of the release is an excellent Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre. Among the reds, single varietal wines include a Petit Verdot, the Gran Reserva from Rioja that is made with Tempranillo, and the Chianti Classico that is made with Sangiovese. Lastly, the Bordeaux is a blend of 88% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Carmenère.

Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Marnes et Caillottes Sancerre 2018 (92 pts)Lealtanza Gran Reserva 2010 (91 pts)

Château Boutisse 2016 (91+ pts)Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2016 (90 pts)

Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Chianti Classico 2015 (88 pts)

The second part of this theme is titled Festive Fizz and focuses on fine sparkling wines. Of the eleven sparkling wines featured, four are included among my top wine recommendations. First up at the entry level is a dry Prosecco made using the Glera grape. Moving up in price and quality, the classy bubbly from Ontario is made with Chardonnay. And last but not least, the 1er Cru Champagne is made with 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, while the Brut Champagne is a blend of 49% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, and 11% Pinot Meunier.

Ruinart R de Ruinart Brut Champagne (92 pts)Vilmart et Cie Grande Réserve 1er Cru Champagne (92 pts)

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Estate Blanc de Blanc 2014 (92 pts)Belcanto di Bellussi Extra Dry Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore (89 pts)

From my red wine recommendations, the 2014 Reserva from Rioja consists of Tempranillo and Graciano. From Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of mainly Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, while the Côtes du Rhône is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah. Last, but definitely not the least, the superb Cepparello Super Tuscan is made with 100% Sangiovese.

Isole e Olena Cepparello 2016 (94 pts)Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 (91 pts)

Hacienda López de Haro Reserva 2014 (89 pts)

Among white wine picks from the rest of the Release, the only blends are an Australian white made with 62% Sauvignon Blanc and 38% Semillon, while the Vinho Verde is a blend of 85% Alvarinho and 15% Trajadura. The rest are all single varietals, and for those that prefer sweeter wines, the Mosel Riesling should be on your shopping list.

The Lane Gathering Single Vineyard Sauvignon/Semillon 2016 (91 pts)Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett 2017 (90+ pts)

Muralhas de Monção Vinho Verde 2018 (88+ pts)

Happy holidays and enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#421388) (XD) - $18.95  88 pts  wine review
  • BODEM LAS MARGAS GARNACHA 2017 - DO Cariñena, Spain (#10700) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES RESERVA MALBEC 2017 - Mendoza, Argentina (#29280) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • HACIENDA LÓPEZ DE HARO RESERVA 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#357335) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • CLOS ST. ANTONIN 2016 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (#10513) (XD) - $19.95
  • PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT 2016 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#986752) (XD) - $28.95  90 pts  wine review
  • LEALTANZA GRAN RESERVA 2010 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#453548) (XD) - $31.95  91 pts  wine review
  • CHÂTEAU BOUTISSE 2016 - AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France (#368175) (XD) - $40.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • CHÂTEAU MONT-REDON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#959627) (XD) - $49.95  91 pts  wine review
  • TWO HANDS BELLA'S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2017 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#636407) (XD) - $59.95
  • ISOLE E OLENA CEPPARELLO 2016 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#25650 / #25601) (XD) (750 mL / 1500 mL) - $113.95 / $256.95  94 pts  wine review
Terrazas de Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2017 (89 pts)Bodem Las Margas Garnacha 2017 (88+ pts)

White Wine:

  • MURALHAS DE MONÇÃO VINHO VERDE 2018 - Monção e Melgaço, DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal (#80374) (XD) - $15.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • DOMÄNE WACHAU TERRASSEN FEDERSPIEL GRÜNER VELTLINER 2018 - DAC Wachau, Austria (#31534) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
  • KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2018 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#231282) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
  • JULES TAYLOR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 - Certified sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#224428) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • DOMÄNE WACHAU TERRASSEN FEDERSPIEL RIESLING 2018 - DAC Wachau, Austria (#491902) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • THE LANE GATHERING SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON / SEMILLON 2016 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#10539) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
  • FLAT ROCK THE RUSTY SHED CHARDONNAY 2018 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#1552) (XD) - $26.95
  • BISCHÖFLICHE WEINGÜTER TRIER SCHARZHOFBERGER RIESLING KABINETT 2017 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#670752) (S) - $27.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE MARNES ET CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2018 - AC, Loire, France (#196667) (XD) - $31.95  92 pts  wine review
Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2018 (90 pts)Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (89 pts)

Domäne Wachau Terrassen Federspiel Grüner Veltliner 2018 (89 pts)Domäne Wachau Terrassen Federspiel Riesling 2018 (89 pts)

Sparkling Wine:

  • DESIDERIUS PONGRÁCZ BRUT CAP CLASSIQUE SPARKLING CHARDONNAY / PINOT NOIR - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#404111) (XD) - $16.95  90 pts  wine review
  • BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#53215) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE CARTE BLANCHE ESTATE BLANC DE BLANC 2014 - Traditional method, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#315200) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
  • VILMART ET CIE GRANDE RÉSERVE 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#12619) (XD) - $69.95  92 pts  wine review
  • RUINART R DE RUINART BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#189878) (D) - $88.95  92 pts  wine review
Desiderius Pongrácz Brut Cap Classique Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir (90 pts)

Fortified:

  • CÉSAR FLORIDO CHIPIONA DORADO MOSCATEL - DO, Spain (#10824) (S) (375 mL) - $17.95
  • CALEM 20-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#10902) (S) - $56.95
César Florido Chipiona Dorado Moscatel


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  • Date publishedTuesday, December 25, 2018

Wines for Christmas 2018

Wines for Christmas 2018 - Reif Estate Vidal Icewine and Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne

To celebrate , wine is a Champagne that is widely available at the LCBO. It is produced by a house that has been producing champagne for two centuries and has only seen seven Cellar Masters since its founding.

after-dinner drink is an Icewine that is a VINTAGES Essentials listing at the LCBO and always available. This 2012 vintage Icewine was purchased 4 years ago from the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Tasting Notes:

PERRIER-JOUËT GRAND BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#155341) (XD) - $70.95
Blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay aged on the lees for at least 2 years. Elegant aromatics of pastry, lemon citrus, and brioche waft from the glass. It's medium-bodied and dry with fine, creamy mousse and nicely balanced lemony citrus, pastry, yeasty, and autolytic flavours with just a kiss of sweetness. Vibrant acids are well-balanced. A touch smoky on the mid-palate. Crisp, clean and dry with some nutty flavours on the finish with excellent length. Really quite lovely. Lot #L1781724021. Score: 91 pts

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne (91 pts)Reif Estate Vidal Icewine 2012 (91 pts)

REIF ESTATE VIDAL ICEWINE 2012 - VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#544791) (S) - $24.95
Honey and orange marmalade aromas from the cork. Highly aromatic with honey, orange marmalade, peach, burnt brown sugar and caramel notes. It is medium-full bodied with a rich and viscous texture. There's just enough acidity here to keep it fresh and not cloying. It's lusciously sweet with lovely aroma replays on the palate, with flavours that continue through to the long finish. Score: 91 pts


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  • Date publishedSaturday, December 8, 2018

Gourmet Food & Wine Expo 2018 - Top Wines

2018 Gourmet Food & Wine Expo
On a cold night in November, I attended the 24th annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo - a 4-day event that ran through . The first night was VIP Preview Night and attendance seemed a bit lighter than previous years. There also seemed to be fewer food and wine booths, but more craft breweries. Since my focus was mostly on the wines, I traversed the floor seeking some of the finest on offer and had a great time chatting with familiar faces en route.

Some of the highlights included wines in the Fine Wine Tasting Lounge, and at the Kolonaki Group booth where they featured many lovely Greek wines. There were also some fine wines at Wines from Spain, Wines of South Africa, Villa Maria Wines of New Zealand, and Grenache Wines booths. Here are some of my favourites from the show. All of these wines are available via the LCBO unless otherwise noted. Thank you Foodies on Foot for the tickets I won through their online contest!


CHAMPAGNE CUVÉE CARBON BRUT - AC, France (XD) - $350  92 pts
The official Champagne of Formula 1. Exclusive bottle wrapped in carbon looks awesome! Available via Bianchi & Nero.

Champagne Cuvée Carbon Brut (92 pts)Vidal Legacy Chardonnay 2016 (93 pts)

VIDAL LEGACY CHARDONNAY 2016 - Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (#570895) (XD) - $60  93 pts

CUNE GRAN RESERVA 2011 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#393553) (XD) - $39.95  92 pts

Cune Gran Reserva 2011 (92 pts)Mega Spileo Grand Cave Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (91 pts)

MEGA SPILEO GRAND CAVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#539924) (XD) - $27.95  91 pts
Available via Shop Greek Wine.

MARTIN BERDUGO RESERVA 2010 - DO Ribera del Duero, Spain (#233741) (XD) - $38  91 pts

Martin Berdugo Reserva 2010 (91 pts)Te Awa Left Field Syrah 2015 (90+ pts)

TE AWA LEFT FIELD SYRAH 2015 - Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#377837) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts

ARGYROS ASSYRTIKO 2017 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#387365) (XD) - $32  90+ pts
Available via Shop Greek Wine.

Argyros Assyrtiko 2017 (90+ pts)Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2017 (90 pts)

KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2017 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#231282) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts

ONTAÑÓN RESERVA 2010 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#725895) (XD) - $25.95  90 pts

Ontañón Reserva 2010 (90 pts)Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Les Aspres Syrah/Mourvèdre/Grenache 2015 (89 pts)

GÉRARD BERTRAND GRAND TERROIR LES ASPRES SYRAH / MOURVÈDRE  / GRENACHE 2015 - AP Côtes du Roussillon Les Aspres, France (#413245) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts

UMBERTO CESARI LIANO SANGIOVESE / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (#225086) (D) - $27.95  88 pts

Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (88 pts)


Champagne Cuvée Carbon Brut
Kolonaki Group - ShopGreekWine.com
Foods & Wine from Spain
Wines of South Africa
Garnacha and Grenache Wines


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