Inniskillin Winemaker's Series Montague Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine was purchased from a VINTAGES release back in August 2012. I didn't intend to cellar it as long as I have, as it is nearing the end of its drinking window. However, I was saving it for a dish such as tonight's lobster with garlic butter dip. The 2012 vintage of this oaked Chardonnay is available in VINTAGES right now and currently retails for $24.95. INNISKILLIN...

Read More

June 27 VINTAGES Release: Fan Favourites + Pan-Am + Canada Day

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves this Saturday, June 27th and has 3 features. The first theme is titled "Back by Popular Demand", while the second and third mini-themes are small and feature wines from the Americas in an ode to the upcoming Pan-Am Games in Toronto, and wines for Canada Day festivities. We'll begin with the biggest of the three themes -...

Read More

Avondale Wine Tasting (South Africa)

Last month, I had the pleasure of tasting the wines of Avondale with proprietor Johnathan Grieve. Avondale is located on a 160-hectare, picturesque farm in the Paarl valley in the southwestern part of South Africa, only 35 minutes from Cape Town, and has been cultivated for more than 300 years. Early records also indicate that this piece of land was one first in Paarl...

Read More

Domaine Chevallier Chablis 2010 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine was purchased nearly 2 years ago from the August 3, 2013 LCBO VINTAGES release. At 5 years old, let's see if this unoaked Chardonnay is still any good... DOMAINE CHEVALLIER CHABLIS 2010 - AC, Burgundy, France (#112227) (XD) - $19.95 Tasting Note: White grapefruit, lemon and mineral aromas from the cork. Honeyed fruit, baked apple, with whiffs of mineral...

Read More

June 13 VINTAGES Release: Sparkling Wine + Italian Whites + Father's Day

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves this Saturday, June 13th. The major theme of this release is on Sparkling Wines (I guess to coincide with wedding season?), while the mini-theme is on fine white wines from Italy. There is also a feature on gifts for Father's Day. We'll begin with Sparkling Wines. Of the 20 wines featured, 5 are included among my wine picks...

Read More

Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival - Sugar Beach

The Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival pops the cork for its 7th year and is returning to Toronto’s Sugar Beach for three great days on the water! We are excited to be partnering with the Redpath Waterfront Festival for a second year, and are excited to make this our biggest year yet! Welcome summer the right way with sampling wine, spirit, beer, ciders and coolers right at...

Read More

La Cadierenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2014 (Provence) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a rosé wine that will be available in the upcoming June 27th VINTAGES release. This rosé comes from the Bandol region in Provence, in the south of France. This area has been producing wine since the Greeks first colonized the region over 2600 years ago. Bandol specializes in producing rosé wine, with over 60% of its entire wine production devoted to producing...

Read More