Cave de Tain L'Hermitage Cornas Arènes Sauvages 2005 (Rhône) - Wine Review

For tonight's wine review, I was going through my cellar and found this nugget that I acquired back in June 2013. Looking back on my tasting note from 2013, I mentioned that it would hold for another 5 years, so I am now 2 years beyond and hoping that this beautiful Cornas Syrah is still drinkable. Founded in 1933, Cave de Tain is a pioneer and leader in the northern Rhône...

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Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Riserva 2016 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a nice follow-up to the delicious 2018 Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico that I enjoyed a couple of weekends ago. Like the Chianti Classico, this Chianti is a VINTAGES Essentials product at the LCBO and widely available for purchase in-store across Ontario. Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973 by film producer Italo Zingarelli to fulfill...

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May 30, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Australia

The May 30, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release is another mono-thematic Release and features top wines from the land down under - Australia. All of these wines, including those from the Main Release will be on shelves at the top 100 LCBO stores across Ontario by this Saturday. We begin with the theme on top wines from Awesome Australia. There are 14 wines featured as part of this...

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Villa Sandi Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2018 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Following up on the delicious Villa Sandi Prosecco Il Fresco that I enjoyed recently, tonight's wine review is a Pinot Grigio from the same producer. Like the Prosecco, this is a General List wine and widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario. It can be purchased in-store or online for pick-up or delivery. Villa Sandi is a family-owned and operated winery situated in...

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Amalfi Aperitivo Spritz (Ontario) - Cocktail Review

While enjoying the great weather we're having today, I opened this Amalfi Aperitivo Spritz that recently launched at the LCBO. It is locally made with premium ingredients here in Ontario and comes in packs of 4 for $12.95. What is an Aperitivo (Spritz)? The word "Aperitivo" is derived from the Italian verb "aprire" (ah-pree-ray) and means "to open". In Italian culture, an...

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Rioja Bordón Reserva 2013 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a nice, consistently well-made Rioja from Spain that will be coming to LCBO VINTAGES on May 30th. I have tasted quite a few vintages of this wine and have enjoyed them all, including the 2012 Rioja Bordón Reserva late last year. Rioja Bordón wines are produced by Bodegas Franco-Españolas, a winery that was founded in 1890 by Frenchman Frederick...

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Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico 2018 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a nice Chianti Classico that is part of the VINTAGES Essentials collection and widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario for purchase in-store and online for either delivery or pick-up. It is produced by Rocca delle Macìe, a relative newcomer to winegrowing in Italy as it was established in the Chianti Classico zone only in 1973. It was...

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Bottega Sparkling Wines (May 2020)

With in-person wine tastings cancelled since the lockdown in March, virtual wine tastings have grown in popularity and will likely continue for some time. As such, I recently participated in my first ever Zoom virtual wine tasting. It was hosted by Sandro Bottega of Bottega S.p.A. as we tasted through their charming bubbly's as well as a lovely grappa and enjoyed an organic...

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LAN Crianza 2016 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Rioja from Spain that is a VINTAGES Essentials product and widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario. It is also available for online ordering with the option to pick-up in-store or have it delivered to your nearest Canada Post office. As of 2012, Bodegas LAN (which takes its name from the three provinces that make up Rioja - Logroño,...

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May 16, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Women of Influence

The upcoming May 16, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release is a mono-thematic release that focuses on Women of Influence and their Fine Wines. All of these wines, plus those from the main release should be on shelves at the top 100 LCBO stores across Ontario by this Saturday. As the Ontario Government slowly re-opens the economy, the LCBO is also following suit with expanded store...

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J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (California) - Wine Review

To follow the popular J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay that I opened last week, tonight's wine review is a California Cabernet Sauvignon that is the most popular red in the VINTAGES Essentials Collection. Like the Chardonnay, this Cali Cab is widely available in the VINTAGES section at LCBO outlets across Ontario, and is also available online for pick-up or delivery. After an...

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Villa Sandi Prosecco Il Fresco (Veneto) - Wine Review

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo a couple of days early with Chicken Fajitas, for tonight's wine review I opened this delightful Prosecco sparkling wine from Italy. This bubbly is a General List wine at the LCBO and widely available across Ontario. Villa Sandi is located within the commune of Crocetta del Montello in the Province of Treviso in the Italian region of Veneto in a...

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May 2, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Popular Demand + New Zealand

The main theme of the May 2, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release features Favourite Wines that are back by Popular Demand, while the mini-theme focuses on wines from New Zealand. Wines arrived in the top 51 LCBO stores across Ontario and online yesterday, while another 50 stores will receive bottles a week after Release. We begin with the main theme that features 21 Customer Favourites...

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