Southbrook Organic Triomphe Cabernet Franc 2013 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine returns to VINTAGES soon and will be on shelves at the LCBO as part of the upcoming VINTAGES Release on October 15th. I tasted this organic wine produced by Southbrook Vineyards previously at the epic Ontario Cabernet Franc tasting in June, 2015. It's now had more than a year in bottle to soften any hard edges and comes across as quite smooth today, as noted...

Read More

Southbrook Organic Triomphe Chardonnay 2014 (Niagara) - Wine Review

I opened up this nice organic Chardonnay last night to pair with rotisserie chicken - and it paired very well indeed! This white wine is the latest vintage of Southbrook Vineyards' Triomphe Chardonnay and is included as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release on October 1st. Having tasted both the 2013 and 2012 vintages of this wine, this latest vintage comes across as quite reductive...

Read More

VINTAGES Release October 1: Tuscany + Rioja + Thanksgiving Wines

New wines from the VINTAGES Release on October 1st on will be on LCBO shelves this coming Saturday and features wines from Tuscany for elegant dining, as well as a mini-feature on Rioja, and wines for Thanksgiving celebrations. As we approach the holiday season, now would be a good time to start collecting those fine wines for holiday gift giving, as there are quite...

Read More

Bodega Norton Barrel Select Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a General List product that is always available at the LCBO. New shipments of this latest vintage will arrive on shelves with something new and unique - a cold sensor sticker called "Wine Polar". This Sauvignon Blanc by Bodega Norton is the first white wine to use Polar Technology to help you enjoy your wine at the ideal temperature. Experience this wine...

Read More

Winetario - Top Wines from 2016 Ontario Wine Awards

In mid-June, I had the pleasure of attending Winetario, an event put together by iYellow Wine Club and George Brown College Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts to showcase local Ontario VQA wines that won medals at the 2016 Ontario Wine Awards. The event was held in the atrium at the George Brown College campus located on Adelaide Street East in downtown Toronto. I...

Read More

La Crema Los Carneros Chardonnay 2014 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a lovely oaked Chardonnay that will be available in VINTAGES on September 17th. La Crema has been practising small-batch winemaking since 1979, focusing on cool-climate appellations. The grapes for this white wine come from Los Carneros, an AVA that includes parts of both Sonoma and Napa, and located just north of San Pablo Bay. The area is a combination...

Read More

VINTAGES Release September 17: Ontario + Local Fall Feast

The upcoming VINTAGES Release on September 17th will be on shelves this Saturday and features fine wines from Ontario as its main theme, while the mini-theme highlights local wines for Fall feasts. We'll begin with the Ontario wine feature that lists 16 wines, of which only 2 are included among my wine picks. The Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay has been a favourite...

Read More

Estay Prieto Picudo 2012 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is made using a grape that's little-known to most - Prieto Picudo. This grape is native to Spain and offers remarkable colour, acidity, sugar and tannin, resulting in wines of unique taste. The wine is made by Dominio Dostares, a winery located in the town of Pajares do los Oteros, Castilla e Léon, in northwestern Spain. It is located on a plateau 810 metres...

Read More

Mike Weir Limited Edition Riesling 2014 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Sweet wines are ideal for pairing with fiery Indian curries. To match the Chicken Madras that's on the menu tonight at Chez Megz, I elected to open up this off-dry Riesling from Niagara's Mike Weir Winery. This wine was tasted and picked up at the winery last January during the Icewine Festival and is available at the winery only. I also enjoyed this wine when I visited the...

Read More

SwirlTO - Elevated Beverage Experience in Toronto

At the end of September, you will have the opportunity to heighten your senses at SwirlTO - an elevated beverage experience unlike any other. With no need for tickets or tokens, guests enjoy an all-inclusive night of wine tasting along with spirits and beer tasting for one ticket price. Premium wines, spirits and beers from more than 80 exhibitors, together with exciting...

Read More