Kew Blanc de Blanc 2019 and Blanc de Noir 2021 (Niagara) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's sparkling wine reviews are a pair of lovely bubblies that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on "Local Wines You'll Love" from Ontario in last month's September 12th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Kew Vineyards, a hidden gem in Niagara's wine country history situated in the community of Beamsville, Ontario. The boutique winery resides at the historic Kew homestead, which was built by William Kew over 160 years ago and was used by the family to successfully produce carriages. Descendants of the Kew family lived on the property until the late 1960s, when the estate entered a new chapter in its history when it was acquired by Dieter Gutler and his wife, Ingrid.

The latest chapter of Kew Vineyards began in 2023, when the estate and its 80+ acres of land were acquired by Arterra Wines Canada. Kew's vineyards are located on the Beamsville Bench, within Ontario's Niagara Escarpment regional appellation, on gently sloping land with well-drained soils and a favourable climate for growing grapes. The philosophy at Kew is based on small-batch winemaking and the belief that wine is the ultimate expression of passion – a passion for the art of winemaking, a passion for the land, and a passion for the way in which wine celebrates daily life.

Today, Kew Vineyards is as much about gracious country hospitality as it is about beautiful wine. I hope to visit the winery one day, as Kew has taken a different approach to the winery experience – one that encourages visitors to get off the beaten path, slow down, and take the time to enjoy the surroundings. Kew Vineyards is meant to be an awakening of the senses and the soul, seamlessly blending Old World elegance with New World charm, while encouraging visitors to relax and soak in the experience. Guests are invited to walk through the vineyards while enjoying and exploring Kew's wines.

Blanc de Blancs sparkling wines are traditionally associated with some of the most prestigious Champagnes and sparkling wines, particularly those made exclusively from Chardonnay. This Blanc de Blanc is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was hand-harvested from a block just east of the house on the Estate Vineyard. After harvesting just over 8 tons of Chardonnay from this block, the fruit was gently whole-bunch pressed, and with careful monitoring, only the highest-quality juice was used to craft this wine. After undergoing primary fermentation, the wine was allowed to age 'en tirage' for the next 6 years before beginning disgorgement. This long élevage is only possible with high-quality wine possessing plenty of bright acidity, which helps promote greater complexity and autolytic character in the wine.

This Blanc de Noir is crafted solely with Pinot Noir and is a wonderful example that showcases Niagara's exceptional cool climate, which is perfectly suited for this red grape variety. As great care is required when producing a white wine from red grapes, the juice was derived from gentle whole-berry pressing and then fermented in stainless steel. It underwent secondary fermentation in bottle on its lees for over 4 years, harmonizing all of the elements together into a delicate, brut-style sparkling wine.

While neither the 2019 nor 2021 vintages in Niagara were particularly great, the 2019 vintage did provide plenty of freshness, while the 2021 vintage tested the skill of winemakers in the field and the picking decisions they made during a wet fall. Let's see how these 2019 and 2021 vintage traditional method sparkling wines from Niagara are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

KEW BLANC DE BLANC 2019 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#438994) (XD) - $32.95
100% Chardonnay aged on lees for 6 years. The medium-high intensity nose offers elegantly complex brioche, toasty, lemon citrus, golden apple, and pear aromas with hints of autolytics and leesy notes. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has lovely lemon citrus, golden apple, and pear flavours nuanced with spice, brioche, toasty, autolytic, and leesy mineral. Complex, elegant, and layered throughout, it is supported by crisp acidity and finely beaded bubbles that offer a creamy mouthfeel. Citrus and apple notes taper to brioche, toasty, and leesy minerals on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

KEW BLANC DE NOIR 2021 - Traditional Method, VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#380030) (XD) - $32.95
100% Pinot Noir aged on lees for over 4 years. Gentle toasty, brioche, autolytic, and pastry aromas mingle with citrus and tangy red berry notes rise out of the glass. It's medium+ bodied and dry with crisp effervescence and acidity. It has delicious toasty, brioche, tangy citrus, leesy mineral, and pastry flavours, plus hints of spice, red berry and autolytic notes adding interest. It's nicely textured with good structure on the mid-palate, while toasty, brioche, and citrus notes taper to leesy minerals on the long, savoury, and juicy finish. Recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

A few other wines by Kew Vineyards are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara, as well as through Arterra Wines Canada.

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September 26, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Beyond Cabernet

Here are my top wine picks from the September 26, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where “Beyond Cabernet” is the feature story of another relatively small release. In all, there are only 65 wines included, with almost everything priced under $50, including 50 wines under $30. As a result, most wines have relatively approachable price points, and the quality is good, with many enjoyable wines. At this point, everything should be readily available for purchase both online and in stores at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We’ll begin with the feature story, “Beyond Cabernet,” which aims to turn your attention to wines crafted with grapes other than Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the seventeen wines featured as part of the thematic, five are included among my top wine picks. At the top of the list is a fine Rioja from Spain crafted with Tempranillo, which is also one of the Wines of the Month in this release. Next up is a lovely, locally crafted Shiraz from Niagara, followed by a Shiraz from McLaren Vale in Australia, which happens to be the other Wine of the Month. There are also a pair of Chianti Classico wines from Tuscany, both of which are primarily crafted with Sangiovese.

My top red wine recommendations from the main release begin in British Columbia with a red crafted from 46% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Cabernet Franc, followed by a 100% Cabernet Franc from Niagara-on-the-Lake. From Italy, the Sicilian red is a 50/50 blend of Nero d’Avola and Syrah, while the Rosso di Montalcino from Tuscany is 100% Sangiovese. From Australia, the Cabernet Sauvignon actually includes 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, and 3% Cabernet Franc, while the wine from Padthaway is 100% Shiraz. Other recommended red wines include a fine Pinot Noir from Chile, a Syrah from New Zealand, and a Garnacha from Spain.

Among my top white wine picks, the only blend is a Veneto Bianco made with 84% Garganega, 10% Chardonnay, and 6% Riesling. At the top of the mono-varietal whites is an excellent, off-dry Riesling from the Beamsville Bench in Niagara. Also on the local front, the Cave Spring Chardonnay was raised entirely in oak, while the Leaning Post Chardonnay was raised entirely in concrete. One of the more interesting white wines in this release is a White Malbec – it was harvested early and pressed at very low pressure to avoid extracting colour from the tannins. Also in this release is a fine Chardonnay from Burgundy, a Vermentino from Tuscany, a Godello from Spain, and a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• SAN ALEJANDRO EVODIA GARNACHA 2023 - Spain (#23914) (XD) - $16.95
• SISTER'S RUN EPIPHANY SHIRAZ 2022 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#269464) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• JIP JIP ROCKS SINGLE VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2024 - Padthaway, South Australia (#673897) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• XANADU CIRCA 77 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#18344) (XD) - $18.95
• TRINITY HILL SYRAH 2022 - Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#194274) (XD) - $21.95
• FRESCOBALDI PERANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#10360) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• BERONIA VIÑAS VIEJAS 2022 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#16587) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review

• MONTES ALPHA SPECIAL CUVÉE PINOT NOIR 2023 - DO Zapallar, Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#19288) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• FIRRIATO SANTAGOSTINO 30TH ANNIVERSARY BAGLIO SORÌA 2020 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#291369) (XD) - $24.95  92 pts  wine review
• FATTORIA DEI BARBI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2023 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#397430) (XD) - $29.95
• JACKSON-TRIGGS NIAGARA ESTATE GRAND RESERVE SHIRAZ 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#54135) (XD) - $29.95
• CARPINETO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#47118) (XD) - $32.95  91 pts  wine review
• ANDREW PELLER SIGNATURE SERIES CABERNET FRANC 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#53233) (XD) - $49.95
• BLACK HILLS NOTA BENE 2022 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#17727) (XD) - $74.95

White Wine:

• ARTESANO DE ARGENTO AGRELO VINEYARD ORGANIC WHITE MALBEC 2026 - Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#37223) (XD) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• PADDY BORTHWICK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#361220) (XD) - $19.95
• AQUILAIA VERMENTINO 2025 - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (#49632) (XD) - $21.95
• BODEGAS MERAYO GODELLO 2024 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#50937) (XD) - $21.95
• CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#256552) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2025 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#578864) (XD) - $26.95
• THIRTY BENCH SMALL LOT WOOD POST VINEYARD RIESLING 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#359760) (D) - $28.95
• TEDESCHI GA.RY 2023 - IGT Veneto Bianco, Italy (#50568) (XD) - $29.95  90+ pts  wine review
• MAISON CHAMPY PERNAND-VERGELESSES BLANC 2023 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#39801) (XD) - $61.95

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Domaine Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2023 and Pinot Noir 2023 (Niagara) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of excellent, premium wines from Niagara that arrived as part of the feature on "Local Wines You'll Love" from Ontario in the recent September 12 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Domaine Le Clos Jordanne (DLCJ), a unique Franco-Canadian winery project that was established in 2000 as a partnership between the Boisset Family in Burgundy and Ontario-based Vincor Canada. The goal of this joint venture was to establish a 'domaine' in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula and produce ultra-premium Canadian VQA wines from Burgundy's classic grape varieties – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The first wines were introduced to the marketplace in 2007, with Thomas Bachelder as the original winemaker. He developed the brand's signature style around cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, low intervention, and terroir expression. The wines were crafted using sustainable winemaking practices, with a focus on delivering the best and most authentic expression of Burgundian-style wines through the lens of Niagara terroir. This approach led to international recognition and critical acclaim.

In 2016, the original Le Clos Jordanne project was paused before being revived in 2019 by Arterra Wines Canada in a new partnership with Thomas. After years of nomadic winemaking, the brand established a permanent home in 2024 by opening the Domaine Le Clos Jordanne winery at the former Angel's Gate property on the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula. Today, DLCJ uses innovative New World practices combined with time-honoured Burgundian techniques, such as harvesting and sorting the grapes by hand. Every step of the process, from vineyard to bottle, receives careful consideration. Alongside Thomas, the winemaking team consists of Phillip Brown (Associate Winemaker) and Kerri Crawford (Assistant Winemaker).

These wines form Le Clos Jordanne's top-tier "Le Grand Clos" range, which is their mission to hone in on the "filet mignon" of the Clos Jordanne vineyard and their finest expression of the Jordan Bench terroir. Le Clos Jordanne's estate vineyard is located about 14 km east of the winery on a premium parcel of the Jordan Bench, on the first rise from the plain, a natural plateau near the slope of the Niagara Escarpment. The vineyard features limestone-laced silt and clay glacial soils, which are known for bringing intensely focused fruit, minerality, and ageability to the resulting wines. Both the Le Grand Clos Chardonnay and Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir come from blocks located on the western side of the vineyard – a happenstance of aspect, altitude, drainage, and geology. The Chardonnay is from Block 1, while the Pinot Noir is from Blocks 3 and 7.

The vineyards are farmed both traditionally and sustainably in order to preserve the natural balance of the vines and maintain the parcel's terroir specifics and quality of fruit. Each vine is tended to by hand, from pruning through to harvest, with the vines pruned to either a single- or double-Guyot cane system. Some of the tasks in the vineyard include leaf stripping, which takes place on the eastern side of the vine, exposing the clusters to more sun and airflow, promoting healthy ripening and helping to prevent disease. The soil in the vineyard is managed to nurture and maintain a natural level of microbiological life. Every other row is cultivated, alternating yearly, leaving a varied cover crop in the remaining rows. This creates competition in the root system while allowing the topsoil to remain loose and aerobic. Each year, every second row of the soil is broken up (deep-ripped) in order to aerate the soil structure and help avoid compaction.

To craft this Chardonnay, hand-harvesting began slowly and meticulously on October 7, picking only the best bunches. The fruit was whole-bunch pressed, and the full tank of free-run juice was racked into French oak barrels, where it would remain for the next 18 months. The juice underwent wild yeast fermentation, followed by malolactic fermentation on its lees. During this process, Thomas, Kerri, and Phillip would go through each individual barrel, watching the process slowly unfold, and nearing the end of élevage, a selection of 33 barrels, seven of them being first fills, were blended and bottled.

To craft this Pinot Noir, the grapes were hanging beautifully with thick skins and great flavours when it was decided to hand-harvest on October 2 due to unseasonably warm weather and a heatwave in the short-range forecast. After hand-sorting and destemming, the grapes were placed into multiple fermentation tanks, separated by individual blocks, and allowed to naturally warm as the wild yeast began the fermentation process. After about a month, with daily pump-overs or punch-downs, the ferment was complete and the free-run wine was placed into 48 barrels, a combination of both first-fill and previous-fill barrels. After a fairly long period of ageing in barrel, the final wine was selected from 19 barrels, four of them being first fills, and then blended and bottled.

In 2023, the growing season in Niagara was a pretty classic vintage for the region, with no major curveballs. It began with a slightly mild winter followed by a warm spring, which meant early budbreak. Summer featured occasional heatwaves, along with big thunderstorms, which meant vigilant viticultural practices were needed. Harvest time arrived hard and fast with a beautiful, dry, and warm fall, with all the grapes harvested and processed within a very short 22-day window, ending on October 24. There were a handful of extra-long days and a few sleepless nights, but the passionate crew worked tirelessly to give the fruit and wines the attention and love they demanded and deserved. From a great vintage, let's see how these 2023 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from Niagara are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $55.00
Screw cap. Lovely, rich, and layered aromas of medium-high intensity deliver perfectly ripe apple and pear notes nuanced with vanilla, citrus, oak spice, butter, and mealy complexity. On the dry, full-bodied palate it is rich and flavourful with lovely orchard fruit and stone fruit, apple, pear, lemon citrus, and melon joined by oak spice, vanilla, and butter flavours in a complex profile. Impressively textured with an almost chalky mouthfeel. Some leesy notes add further complexity on the mid-palate. Lemon citrus and apple notes taper to savoury with leesy mineral, gentle oak spice, and vanilla notes on the exceptionally long finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93+ pts

DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184564) (XD) - $55.00
Screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose has crushed ripe raspberry and spice aromas with oak accents, plus whiffs of black cherry, earthy mushroom, beet root, and clove add complexity. The weighty, medium+ bodied has a nice, chalky textured mouthfeel and fresh acidity. It's dry and ripe with delicious dark raspberry, earthy mushroom, beet root, oak spice flavours, plus some notes of clove , white pepper, and stony mineral. It has grainy, chalky textured tannins with good structure and tension. Dark raspberry and spice notes taper to savoury, stony minerals on the long, chalky textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

A couple of wines by Domaine Le Clos Jordanne are available as VINTAGES Essentials at the LCBO, while the full range of wines can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara or through Arterra Wines Canada.

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Kew Fracette Sparkling 2025 and Inniskillin Fracette Rosé Sparkling 2025 (Ontario) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's sparkling wine reviews are a pair of delicious, brand-new Fracette sparkling wines that recently arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on Ontario wines in the September 12 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Fracette (pronounced “frah-SET”) is a new VQA category of sparkling wine that is uniquely Canadian, as it is crafted using Icewine. The term Fracette is a combination of words inspired by the frozen (fr-) grapes used to make Canadian Icewine and facette (-acette), representing the layers and complexities of this completely new style of sparkling wine.

What makes Fracette unique is that instead of a conventional mixture of still base wine with sugar and yeast being used in the tirage to spark secondary fermentation, VQA Icewine supplies the fermentable sugar. The secondary fermentation is what creates the bubbles and can take place either in tank (the Charmat or méthode cuve close method) or in bottle (the Traditional method). This distinctive use of Icewine as the tirage liqueur can enhance the freshness and depth of flavour of the finished wine, creating a crisp and complex sparkling wine with a unique drinking experience.

Some of the rules governing Fracette wines include the use of Vitis vinifera grape varieties, with Vidal permitted in the Icewine component, and no more than 15 g/L residual sugar. Like other VQA sparkling wines, the wine must derive its effervescence from alcoholic fermentation rather than artificial carbonation, have a minimum of 300 kPa, and the alcohol content must be between 7% and 14.9% ABV. Since November 2025, Fracette has been a protected and regulated VQA Ontario wine category under Ontario's Vintners Quality Alliance regulations.

Both of these delicious sparkling wines by Kew Vineyards and Inniskillin Wines are readily available at the LCBO, with the Kew Fracette Sparkling featured as a Hand-Picked Gift. I happened to notice while shopping over the weekend that both of these bubblies are also available at grocery stores. Let's see how these two locally crafted Ontario sparkling wines are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

KEW FRACETTE SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53239) (XD) - $26.95
Blend of 41% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Meuiner, and 10% Vidal Icewine. Delicate aromas of stone & orchard fruits, peach, floral, pear, and apple with hints of citrus rise out of the glass. On the weighty, medium-full bodied palate there's sweet fruited peach, floral, pear, apple, and citrus replays on the dry flavour profile. Acids are crisp, juicy, and refreshing, while the gentle mousse is clean and crisp. It's well-balanced throughout with floral, peach, pear, and citrus notes on the dry finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. 89 pts

INNISKILLIN FRACETTE ROSÉ SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53240) (XD) - $34.95
100% Cabernet Franc with Cabernet Franc Icewine used as the tirage. A finishing touch of Cabernet Franc Icewine was also used. The medium+ intensity nose has gentle aromas of red berry jelly, raspberry, strawberry, and cherry aromas with hints of citrus, rose floral, and mineral. It is light-to-medium bodied on the palate with lovely raspberry, cherry, and strawberry flavours mingling with blood orange, mineral, and spice flavours in a dry, complex flavour profile. It has clean and crisp acidity, along with finely crafted bubbles that are smooth, refined, and elegant. Red berry and citrus notes taper to minerals and spice on the long, savoury, and juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Kew Vineyards and Inniskillin are widely available at the LCBO and various online and brick-and-mortar shops, including grocery stores, and can also be ordered direct from each winery or through Arterra Wines Canada.

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September 12, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Ontario

Here are my top wine picks from the September 12, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where local wines from Ontario are the focus of the feature story. While the release is quite good overall, with a number of high-quality wines, the first word that comes to mind when I think about this release is "disappointment."

My first disappointment with this release is that it contains only 83 products, including 14 Online & Flagship Exclusives, leaving just 69 products broadly available across the province. I’ve heard that smaller releases will be the norm for the next couple of months, and perhaps beyond. Second, while there are 20 wines from Ontario, plus one from Nova Scotia and two from British Columbia, there are also 26 wines from Italy. This means that 49 of the 83 wines, or 59%, come from just two countries. I love my Ontario and Italian wines, but diversity is lacking, in my opinion.

The last disappointment took place on Release Day (September 12), when I visited one LCBO store and discovered that it had received only one Ontario wine from the entire release. I then visited a second LCBO store, only to find that all six wines being poured for the Saturday tasting were from the previous release (August 29, which is apparently what they do at this location). Furthermore, their policy was to only place wines from this release, which they had already received, on the shelves the following Monday. Nevertheless, by now, everything should be available for purchase both online and at physical LCBO stores across Ontario.

Moving past my disappointments, let’s have a look at my top wine picks from the feature story, which focuses on great local wines from Ontario. Of the twenty Ontario wines featured, eleven are among my recommended buys. Ontario produces many fine sparkling wines, with Kew Vineyards being a specialist in this category. Kew’s Blanc de Blanc is crafted with Chardonnay, while its Blanc de Noir is made from Pinot Noir. Also featured in this release is a new category of sparkling wine called Fracette—a uniquely Canadian style in which an Icewine liqueur de tirage is used to initiate the secondary fermentation. The Kew Fracette is a blend of 41% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Meuiner, and 10% Vidal Icewine, while the Inniskillin Fracette is a Cabernet Franc sparkling rosé with Cabernet Franc Icewine used to initiate the second fermentation. White wines from Ontario include a pair of lovely Chardonnays, as well as a fine, gently off-dry Riesling. My top red wine picks from Ontario are a trio of Pinot Noirs, followed by a Cabernet Franc.

My top red wine picks from the main release begin with a pair of excellent Riojas from Spain. First is the 2014 Rioja, a blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 10% Graciano & Mazuelo, followed by the 2015 Rioja, made with 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 5% Mazuelo & Graciano. From Italy, the Valpolicella is composed of 85% Corvina Veronese, 10% Rondinella, and 5% Corvinone, while the Toscana Rosso is a blend of 40% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Syrah. Staying in Italy, both the Chianti Classico and Rosso di Montalcino are crafted with 100% Sangiovese, while the wine from Basilicata is made with Aglianico. Lastly, the other mono-varietal reds are a Malbec from Argentina and a Shiraz from Western Australia.

Among my white wine recommendations from the main release, the only blend is a white wine from the Douro in Portugal, crafted with three indigenous varieties—Códega de Larinho, Rabigato, and Viosinho. Among the mono-varietal wines, at the top of the list is the outstanding Verdicchio from 50+-year-old vines, followed by the Pecorino, with both wines coming from the same producer in Italy. Other mono-varietal wines include a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, a Pinot Grigio from northern Italy, an old-vine Chardonnay from Australia, and a Pinot Gris from New Zealand.

There are two sparkling wine picks outside Ontario. First up is a Prosecco from Italy crafted with Glera, while the second bubbly is a Cava from Spain composed of 55% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeo, and 15% Parellada.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• FRANKLAND ROCKY GULLY SHIRAZ 2022 - Frankland River, Western Australia (#33371) (XD) - $17.95
• VITICCIO SOSPETTI TOSCANA ROSSO 2022 - IGT, Tuscany, Italy (#50775) (XD) - $18.00  88 pts  wine review
• ZENATO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2022 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#995704) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA MALBEC 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#261867) (XD) - $19.95
• PATERNOSTER SYNTHESI AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE 2021 - DOC, Campania, Italy (#51672) (XD) - $19.95
• TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#284570) (XD) - $29.95

• WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#427500) (XD) - $33.95  91 pts  wine review
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2024 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11582) (XD) - $34.95  91+ pts  wine review
• POGGIO SAN POLO ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2022 - Sustainable, DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#60863) (XD) - $36.95
• FONTODI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#933317) (XD) - $49.95
• DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184564) (XD) - $55.00  93 pts  wine review
• R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA BOSCONIA RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#529586) (XD) - $59.95
• R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA TONDONIA RESERVA 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#356337) (XD) - $82.95

White Wine:

• MATAHIWI ESTATE PINOT GRIS 2024 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#12679) (XD) - $17.95
• LEYDA GARUMA COASTAL VINEYARDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#99309) (XD) - $18.95
• QUADRUS WHITE 2024 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#667162) (XD) - $23.95
• SCHILD OLD VINE BAROSSA CHARDONNAY 2025 - Barossa, South Australia (#50189) (XD) - $23.95
• NALS MARGREID HILL PINOT GRIGIO 2025 - DOC Südtirol-Alto Adige, Italy (#17365) (XD) - $24.95
• HIDDEN BENCH RIESLING 2023 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $26.95
• UMANI RONCHI CENTOVIE PECORINO 2024 - IGT Colli Aprutini, Abruzzo, Italy (#11108) (XD) - $28.95
• UMANI RONCHI CASAL DI SERRA VECCHIE VIGNE VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2023 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#98111) (XD) - $28.95  93+ pts  wine review
• DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20455) (XD) - $30.00  review coming soon...
• DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $55.00  93+ pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• ALESSANDRO BERSELLI SIGNATURE COLLECTION VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE 2025 - DOCG, Italy (#51608) (D) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• CYGNUS SADOR ORGANIC RESERVA BRUT NATURE CAVA - Vegan, Sustainable, Traditional Method, DO Penedès, Spain (#352856) (XD) - $19.95
• KEW FRACETTE SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53239) (XD) - $26.95  89 pts  wine review
• KEW BLANC DE NOIR 2021 - Traditional Method, VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#380030) (XD) - $32.95  90+ pts  wine review
• KEW BLANC DE BLANC 2019 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#438994) (XD) - $32.95  92 pts  wine review
• INNISKILLIN FRACETTE ROSÉ SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53240) (XD) - $34.95  90+ pts  wine review
  
  

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Tapiz Alta Collection San Pablo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, high-altitude, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley that was featured as a Hand-Picked Gift in the recent August 29 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the lovely 2023 Tapiz Alta Collection San Pablo Vineyard Malbec I enjoyed a few months ago, this red wine is produced by Fincas Patagónicas, one of Argentina's most prominent wine producers. Fincas Patagónicas was established in 2003 by Patricia Ortiz with the goal of crafting exceptional wines from Argentina's most distinctive terroirs. The winemaking philosophy combines traditional methods with innovative techniques to create wines from high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza and along the Atlantic coast of Patagonia that truly express the unique terroir of each region.

Fincas Patagónicas has three winery projects in Argentina — Zolo, Tapiz, and Wapisa. Tapiz is located in the heart of the San Pablo Geographical Indication (GI), within the Tunuyán department of the Uco Valley, Mendoza. Situated at 4,600 feet above sea level, the estate is home to one of Mendoza's highest-elevation vineyards. At Tapiz, sustainable winemaking traditions are combined with modern innovation at its state-of-the-art winery, which was constructed in 2016 and is surrounded by estate vineyards. Under Patricia's guidance, Tapiz has been a pioneer in the region and played a role in the development of the San Pablo GI. The San Pablo GI benefits from extremes of altitude, temperature, and soil heterogeneity, allowing for the creation of full-bodied and concentrated wines that are also elegant and balanced.

Tapiz is committed to environmentally conscious practices and to producing wines that faithfully express their unique terroir. Today, the wines are crafted by the celebrated winemaking team of Fabián Valenzuela and famed Bordeaux winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet, who was the winemaker at Pétrus for 44 vintages. The name "Tapiz" is Spanish for tapestry, and the label and capsule depict the different components that come together to create wine, including high-altitude fruit, the land, the sun, and the workers. Thus, Tapiz represents a beautiful tapestry of terroir and innovation. Through her wineries, Patricia is also dedicated to giving back to the environment through sustainable practices while encouraging responsible practices among staff, suppliers, and customers.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the San Pablo Vineyard surrounding the winery. The estate vineyard is situated at 4,600 feet above sea level, and the 16-year-old vines were sustainably farmed. To vinify the wine, the grapes underwent a cold pre-maceration at 8˚C for 5 days to extract colour and aromas. The wine was then fermented in stainless steel tanks at approximately 28˚C for 14 days before resting on its lees for 16 days. It was subsequently aged in French oak barrels for 12 months, with 15% of the barrels being first-use and the remainder second- and third-use.

The 2023 vintage in Argentina was defined by multiple frosts, which greatly reduced yields in most parts of the country. However, higher-elevation sites with natural slopes fared better as the cold air moved to lower areas. Spring eventually turned warm and dry, leading to the hottest Argentine summer since 1961 and historic drought conditions. With lighter fruit loads, the grapes ripened more quickly than average, resulting in an earlier harvest. Despite the heat and drought, the low yields concentrated flavours, while the dry conditions kept disease at bay. From a vintage with high expectations for red wines from high-altitude vineyards, let's see how this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TAPIZ ALTA COLLECTION SAN PABLO VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#403345) (XD) - $20.95
The medium-high intensity nose offers ripe black fruits, blackberry, black plum, and cedar oak aromas followed hints of black currant, cassis, and grilled herbs. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate has delicious, ripe black fruits, black currant, blackberry, black plum, and oak spice flavours, along with touches of graphite, and grilled herbs. It has clean, fresh acidity, alongside finely textured and firm tannins with good structure that will benefit from a few years in the cellar. It's well-balanced throughout with black currant, cassis, and cedar oak notes, plus hints of graphite lingering on the long, slightly youthful finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

The aforementioned Malbec is available at the LCBO, along with another Malbec, while the full range of Fincas Patagónicas wines can be ordered through their Agent - DB Wine & Spirits.

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Domaine Welty Bélénus Gewürztraminer 2023 (Alsace) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a beautiful, organic, and off-dry Gewürztraminer from Alsace that made its debut at the LCBO last month. It arrived as part of the feature on Great Wines for Takeout Nights in the August 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and would be ideal for pairing with spicy dishes such as Thai or Indian curries.

It is produced by Domaine Welty, a small, family-run winery situated in the commune of Orschwihr in southern Alsace, at the foot of the Bollenberg hill. The family's story began when M. Welty planted her first vines in 1738 on the dry and arid hills of the Bollenberg. Eight generations later, the Welty family continues with the same faith and passion, with a beautiful family history that binds them strongly to the land, vineyard, and wine.

The modern era of Domaine Welty began in 1984, when Jean-Michel took over management of the estate from his father, Fernand. As the seventh generation of the family, Jean-Michel gradually doubled the vineyard size to what is now 14 hectares of vines. In 2012, Jean-Michel was joined by his son, Jérémy, who represented the eighth generation of the family and brought a wind of freshness to the domaine, including new ideas and cultivation techniques – specifically organic agriculture. In 2018, the domaine received its Organic Farming certification, while Jérémy also took over winemaking responsibilities. In 2021, Jérémy took over the domaine from his father.

Since the beginning, the Welty family's daily work has been guided by their conviction that nature will give them what they have given it. Every day they apply with passion and fervor the principles of organic farming, observing the virtues that it generates in the vineyard. Additionally, by cultivating their vines organically, they have gained a better understanding of the vineyard. They have also begun implementing new processes, in particular developing decoctions in order to carry out homeopathic vine treatments. Today, the philosophy at Domaine Welty has evolved strongly in order to listen to nature, respect it, understand it, and seek balance. This allows the family to produce the most natural wines possible, along with the purest expression of their terroir.

Domaine Welty has several ranges of wines, with this particular wine coming from their "Blancs de Terroir" range, a group of terroir-driven white wines. It is crafted using 100% Gewürztraminer that was organically grown on clay-limestone soils. The name Bélénus is associated with the Bollenberg hill near the domaine's vineyards. Belenus (or Belenos) was an ancient Celtic deity whose name is generally associated with brightness, light, and the sun, making the name a fitting reference to the dry Bollenberg hill and its excellent exposure to the sun.

To craft this Gewürztraminer, the grapes were hand-harvested and placed in small crates. Upon arriving at the winery, the whole grapes were direct-pressed using a pneumatic press, and then fermented using indigenous yeasts in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature. It was matured on fine lees until bottling.

The growing season in Alsace in 2023 began with a dry and mild winter, followed by a cool and wet March, which pushed budburst beyond the reach of early April frosts. While April remained wet and cool, May brought summer warmth, particularly towards the end of the month, followed by flowering and significant heat during the first two weeks of June. Gewürztraminer fared well in the weather conditions as July remained warm and dry, however, drought was becoming problematic. The end of July and early August was cooler and wetter, while dry heat arrived towards the end of the month. Due to the dry conditions, phenolic maturity was unusually ahead of sugar maturity, which resulted in harvest taking place a little bit later than anticipated. From another excellent vintage (8th out of the last 9 years), let's see how this 2023 Gewürztraminer from Alsace is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE WELTY BÉLÉNUS GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2023 - AOC Alsace, France (#49863) (M) - $25.95
This organic Gewürztraminer from Alsace has a lovely, intense, medium-high to highly aromatic nose with perfumed aromas of lychee, rose floral, yellow fruit, and citrus with touches of spice. The rich, weighty, medium-full bodied palate has very good concentration with lovely lychee, rose floral, citrus, yellow fruit, and spice replays in an off-dry flavour profile. It's framed by fresh, lively acidity that tempers the sweetness. Clean and well-balanced throughout with leesy, mineral, and spice notes lingering on the long, savoury, and textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Domaine Welty can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

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