LCBO VINTAGES Release August 5, 2017: Argentina + New Old School

New wines from the upcoming August 5, 2017 LCBO VINTAGES Release will be on shelves this Saturday and features wines from Argentina as its main theme, while the mini-theme looks at 5 "new old school" wine regions. We'll begin with the feature on Argentina, where the particular focus is on the various altitudes where grapes are grown, ranging from as low as 600 metres up...

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Piazzano Chianti 2015 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine returns to the LCBO after a 2-year absence, and will be available as part of the upcoming August 5, 2017 LCBO VINTAGES Release. It is produced by Fattoria di Piazzano, an estate located in the hills of Empoli, Tuscany. The winery has been part of the Bettarini family since 1948, while Ilaria and Rolanki Bettarini took over operations in 1999. They use the...

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Niagara Icewine Festival Review 2017 - Day 2 of 2

On Saturday, January 28, I visited Niagara for the second weekend in a row to partake in Icewine and food pairings during the Niagara Icewine Festival. All of the wineries visited on this day were located in Twenty Valley. You can read all about my visit to Niagara Wine Country from the previous weekend here. The first stop on this day was at Legends Estates Winery for...

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Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2014 (Ontario) - Wine Review (Bottle 2)

I decided to open up this wine tonight in recognition of the International Cool-Climate Chardonnay Celebration that is taking place this weekend in Niagara. I've tasted this white wine quite a few times since last year and it's always been delicious! This is the second bottle from my personal collection, from a case that was ordered through the Vini wine app. My last...

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Porca de Murça Reserva Tinto 2010 (Portugal) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine was purchased almost 4 years ago to the day from the July 20, 2013 LCBO VINTAGES Release, where this red wine was featured as part of a selection of wines for the BBQ. Obviously, this vintage no longer available at the LCBO. Moreover, the current vintage is also not available. If you have this wine in your cellar, you should open it within the next couple of...

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LCBO VINTAGES Release July 22, 2017: Old + New Favourites

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on July 22, 2017 will be on shelves this coming Saturday. It's a mono-thematic release and is titled "Old Favourites + New Favourites". The first part of this thematic are "Old Favourites", which is in reference to classically styled wines that are well-established from wine regions around the world. It lists 11 different styles and has...

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Claude Gros La Condamine Paulignan Minervois 2013 (Midi) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a new wine that will be released into LCBO VINTAGES on Saturday, July 22, 2017. This red wine is produced by Select Vins, which is a collaboration between Château de la Négly owner, Jean Paux-Rosset, and his consulting winemaker, Claude Gros. Together, they have assembled some of the best grape growers from across the appellations of the Languedoc,...

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Giacomo Mori Chianti 2014 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is this delicious red wine that will be available at the LCBO as part of the upcoming July 22 LCBO VINTAGES Release. Like the 2012 Giacomo Mori Chianti that I enjoyed two years ago, this is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino/Canaiolo that is vinified in 40-60 hectolitre stainless steel tanks, then aged for 10-12 months in 20 hectolitre Slavonian and...

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Montecillo Crianza 2011 (Rioja) and Lamberti Santepietre Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2015 (Veneto) - Wine Reviews

As we begin enjoying the hot summer weather, here are a couple of affordable wines that should quench your thirst. The first is a Pinot Grigio and is usually a crowd favourite, while the Crianza is a savoury red wine made with Tempranillo that will be suitable for your backyard BBQ party. Both of these wines are widely available at the LCBO. If you're heading outdoors,...

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Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2013 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's delicious wine was released through LCBO VINTAGES on April 1, 2017 and, surprisingly, quite a few bottles are still available at the LCBO. The story of Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils begins when Francis Usseglio leaves Italy in 1931 to become a vineyard worker in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. In 1948, Francis is offered to opportunity to exploit 8 hectares of vines and...

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LCBO VINTAGES Release July 8, 2017: Spain + Cool-Climate Chardonnay

The upcoming July 8, 2017 VINTAGES Release at the LCBO features Spain as its main theme, while the mini-thematic features Cool-Climate Chardonnay. These wines will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario this Saturday. We'll begin with the main theme, which features sixteen fine wines (and spirits) from Spain, seven of which are included among my top wine picks. From...

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Seriously Cool Chardonnay 2016 (Ontario) - Wine Review

To continue Canada 150 celebrations and promising to sip only Canadian wines this weekend, tonight's wine is an easy drinker that will be available at the LCBO beginning July 16th. I tasted the 2015 Seriously Cool Chardonnay last year, when it consisted of three grapes, including Riesling. For this latest vintage, Riesling was omitted from the blend and now consists of 50/50...

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