Kew Blanc de Blancs 2017 and Blanc de Noirs 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Reviews

After enjoying the excellent 2020 Kew Vineyards Marsanne a few months ago (and still widely available in stores today), tonight's sparkling wine reviews a pair of wonderful bubblies from the same producer in Niagara that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature story on Bubbles in the December 14 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.Both of these fantastic bubblies are produced...

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Kew Vineyards Marsanne 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Marsanne from the Beamsville Bench appellation in Niagara that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the feature on Ontario Wines in the September 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.It is produced by Kew Vineyards, a boutique winery focused on small-batch production that is located in the heart of Niagara on the...

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Free Sushi Electric Blue Raspberry (Canada) - Review

With the news that Ready-To-Drink (RTD) beverages are now available at grocery stores across Ontario, tonight's RTD review is something I've had in my possession for some time now and never got around to opening. While it is long sold-out at the LCBO, this RTD may be coming to shelves at your local grocery store in the near future.Free sushi was created by the founders with...

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Trius Showcase Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent, single vineyard Chardonnay from Niagara that was featured in the piece on Local Talent in the recent July 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It will be available at the LCBO once the strike ends, but can be ordered directly today from the winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake or via The Wine Shop.It is produced by Trius Winery, a Canadian...

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Kacaba Reserve Riesling 2017 (Niagara) - Wine Review

To celebrate Mother's Day, tonight's white wine review is a lovely Niagara Riesling that I purchased at the winery while visiting Niagara during the Icewine Festival back in January 2020. Of course, this vintage has long sold out, while newer vintages are currently available for purchase from the winery.Tasting Note:KACABA RESERVE RIESLING 2017 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario,...

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The Tragically Hip Fully Completely Reserve Red 2021 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a fully and completely delicious Bordeaux-varietal red blend from Niagara that returned to the LCBO last month in the April 27 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.It is produced by Stoney Ridge Estate Winery, a producer that was established in December 1986 as Stoney Ridge Cellars and was the 14th licensed winery in Canada. The name of the winery...

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Cuvée 2024 - Tickets selling fast for Ontario’s biggest VQA celebration

It’s a tasting experience no wine enthusiast should miss.Featuring more than 100 wines, each carefully curated as the favourites of Ontario’s top winemakers, the 2024 Cuvée Grand Tasting promises an experience like no other as it takes over the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Centre in St. Catharines on Saturday, March 30.Organized by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology...

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Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Franc and Syrah blend that was locally and sustainably grown and crafted in Niagara and arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent March 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.Like the 2019 Kacaba Cabernet Franc that I enjoyed last year, this red wine is also produced by Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, a premium, small-batch winery...

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Chilled to Perfection: Inniskillin Icewine Harvest and Brunch (Jan. 2024)

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of attending an exclusive media preview of the Chilled to Perfection: Inniskillin Icewine Harvest and Brunch event that is taking place on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Inniskillin Estate winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.The event begins with a welcoming cup of Icewine Hot Chocolate, followed by an opportunity to mingle and get warmed...

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Fogolar Hughes Vineyard Riesling 2019 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Riesling that I purchased in December of last year. It was a brand-new arrival in the December 17, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release and was slated to be opened during the holidays last year, but it never happened, so here we are a year later.Surprisingly, there are still about 30 bottles available at the LCBO, while the latest vintage can...

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Hidden Bench Béton Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (Niagara) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2022 Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rosé last month, tonight's white wine review is another lovely organic wine from the same producer. In fact, this is the first vintage for this wine and also brand new to the LCBO, arriving in-stores and online as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on August 5.Hidden Bench Estate Winery is one of...

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Kacaba Cabernet Franc 2019 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely local offering from Niagara that arrived at the LCBO in last weekend's August 5 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is available for purchase online at LCBO.com and Flagship Exclusive stores.It is produced by Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, a premium, small-batch winery located on prime, winegrowing land on the Niagara Escarpment in...

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Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rosé 2022 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's rosé wine review is a lovely organic and dry rosé from Niagara that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the recent June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.It is produced by Hidden Bench Estate Winery, one of the top wineries in the Niagara Peninsula. Hidden Bench was founded in 2003 by Harald Thiel and family with a dedication to artisanal, terroir-focused,...

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Southside Fizz by Aloette (Ontario) - Cocktail Review

Tonight's cocktail review is a delicious, brand new, ready-to-drink cocktail that just arrived at the LCBO. It is produced locally in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is widely available across the province now.Southside Fizz by Aloette is a mojito-esque twist on the classic Southside cocktail where London Dry Gin (plus Vodka according to the ingredients) is mixed with lime juice,...

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Frind Pinot Noir Cuveé 2019 (British Columbia) - Wine Review

After being introduced to a pair of lovely wines by Frind Estate Winery a couple of years ago, including the 2018 Frind Chardonnay, tonight's red wine review is a Pinot Noir from the same producer that is new to the LCBO, arriving on shelves a few months ago as part of the December 3 LCBO VINTAGES Release and still available for purchase now (at a potentially reduced price...

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Cabana Coast Dirty Shirley (Canada) - Cocktail Review

Tonight's cocktail review is a delicious, ready-to-drink, hard cocktail that was launched just a few weeks ago and is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.It is produced by Cabana Coast Cocktails right here in Canada and they are one of a number of brands that are part of Ace Beverage Group. Cabana Coast Cocktails produces a few hard cocktails, including the Original...

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French Door Estate Winery Héritage 2020 (British Columbia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a sneak preview of a lovely red wine from B.C. that is expected to be released by the winery this Spring!It is produced by French Door Estate Winery, a small, boutique, family-owned and -operated winery and vineyard that was founded in 2019 by Audra and Jason Shull. They are located on the beautiful Black Sage Bench at 365 metres above sea level...

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Creekside Red Tractor Cabernet/Merlot 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Cabernet-Merlot from Niagara that returned to the LCBO over the weekend as part of the March 4 LCBO VINTAGES Release.Red Tractor Wines are produced by Creekside Estate Winery. This new world wine brand was established by Creekside in 2011 to celebrate the past, present, and future of farming in Ontario. The red tractor symbol comes...

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Queenston Mile Pinot Noir 2017 (Niagara) - Wine Review

I first tasted this lovely 2017 Queenston Mile Pinot Noir back in June 2019 and for tonight's red wine review I'm delighted to see it return to the LCBO this weekend as part of the February 18th LCBO VINTAGES Release as an Online and Flagship Exclusive.It is produced by Queenston Mile Vineyard, a 50-acre vineyard and winery that launched as a brand in early 2019. Queenston...

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