Kew Blanc de Blanc 2019 and Blanc de Noir 2021 (Niagara) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's sparkling wine reviews are a pair of lovely bubblies that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on "Local Wines You'll Love" from Ontario in last month's September 12th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Kew Vineyards, a hidden gem in Niagara's wine country history situated in the community of Beamsville, Ontario. The boutique winery resides at the historic Kew homestead, which was built by William Kew over 160 years ago and was used by the family to successfully produce carriages. Descendants of the Kew family lived on the property until the late 1960s, when the estate entered a new chapter in its history when it was acquired by Dieter Gutler and his wife, Ingrid.

The latest chapter of Kew Vineyards began in 2023, when the estate and its 80+ acres of land were acquired by Arterra Wines Canada. Kew's vineyards are located on the Beamsville Bench, within Ontario's Niagara Escarpment regional appellation, on gently sloping land with well-drained soils and a favourable climate for growing grapes. The philosophy at Kew is based on small-batch winemaking and the belief that wine is the ultimate expression of passion – a passion for the art of winemaking, a passion for the land, and a passion for the way in which wine celebrates daily life.

Today, Kew Vineyards is as much about gracious country hospitality as it is about beautiful wine. I hope to visit the winery one day, as Kew has taken a different approach to the winery experience – one that encourages visitors to get off the beaten path, slow down, and take the time to enjoy the surroundings. Kew Vineyards is meant to be an awakening of the senses and the soul, seamlessly blending Old World elegance with New World charm, while encouraging visitors to relax and soak in the experience. Guests are invited to walk through the vineyards while enjoying and exploring Kew's wines.

Blanc de Blancs sparkling wines are traditionally associated with some of the most prestigious Champagnes and sparkling wines, particularly those made exclusively from Chardonnay. This Blanc de Blanc is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was hand-harvested from a block just east of the house on the Estate Vineyard. After harvesting just over 8 tons of Chardonnay from this block, the fruit was gently whole-bunch pressed, and with careful monitoring, only the highest-quality juice was used to craft this wine. After undergoing primary fermentation, the wine was allowed to age 'en tirage' for the next 6 years before beginning disgorgement. This long élevage is only possible with high-quality wine possessing plenty of bright acidity, which helps promote greater complexity and autolytic character in the wine.

This Blanc de Noir is crafted solely with Pinot Noir and is a wonderful example that showcases Niagara's exceptional cool climate, which is perfectly suited for this red grape variety. As great care is required when producing a white wine from red grapes, the juice was derived from gentle whole-berry pressing and then fermented in stainless steel. It underwent secondary fermentation in bottle on its lees for over 4 years, harmonizing all of the elements together into a delicate, brut-style sparkling wine.

While neither the 2019 nor 2021 vintages in Niagara were particularly great, the 2019 vintage did provide plenty of freshness, while the 2021 vintage tested the skill of winemakers in the field and the picking decisions they made during a wet fall. Let's see how these 2019 and 2021 vintage traditional method sparkling wines from Niagara are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

KEW BLANC DE BLANC 2019 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#438994) (XD) - $32.95
100% Chardonnay aged on lees for 6 years. The medium-high intensity nose offers elegantly complex brioche, toasty, lemon citrus, golden apple, and pear aromas with hints of autolytics and leesy notes. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has lovely lemon citrus, golden apple, and pear flavours nuanced with spice, brioche, toasty, autolytic, and leesy mineral. Complex, elegant, and layered throughout, it is supported by crisp acidity and finely beaded bubbles that offer a creamy mouthfeel. Citrus and apple notes taper to brioche, toasty, and leesy minerals on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

KEW BLANC DE NOIR 2021 - Traditional Method, VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#380030) (XD) - $32.95
100% Pinot Noir aged on lees for over 4 years. Gentle toasty, brioche, autolytic, and pastry aromas mingle with citrus and tangy red berry notes rise out of the glass. It's medium+ bodied and dry with crisp effervescence and acidity. It has delicious toasty, brioche, tangy citrus, leesy mineral, and pastry flavours, plus hints of spice, red berry and autolytic notes adding interest. It's nicely textured with good structure on the mid-palate, while toasty, brioche, and citrus notes taper to leesy minerals on the long, savoury, and juicy finish. Recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

A few other wines by Kew Vineyards are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara, as well as through Arterra Wines Canada.

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Domaine Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2023 and Pinot Noir 2023 (Niagara) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of excellent, premium wines from Niagara that arrived as part of the feature on "Local Wines You'll Love" from Ontario in the recent September 12 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Domaine Le Clos Jordanne (DLCJ), a unique Franco-Canadian winery project that was established in 2000 as a partnership between the Boisset Family in Burgundy and Ontario-based Vincor Canada. The goal of this joint venture was to establish a 'domaine' in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula and produce ultra-premium Canadian VQA wines from Burgundy's classic grape varieties – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The first wines were introduced to the marketplace in 2007, with Thomas Bachelder as the original winemaker. He developed the brand's signature style around cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, low intervention, and terroir expression. The wines were crafted using sustainable winemaking practices, with a focus on delivering the best and most authentic expression of Burgundian-style wines through the lens of Niagara terroir. This approach led to international recognition and critical acclaim.

In 2016, the original Le Clos Jordanne project was paused before being revived in 2019 by Arterra Wines Canada in a new partnership with Thomas. After years of nomadic winemaking, the brand established a permanent home in 2024 by opening the Domaine Le Clos Jordanne winery at the former Angel's Gate property on the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula. Today, DLCJ uses innovative New World practices combined with time-honoured Burgundian techniques, such as harvesting and sorting the grapes by hand. Every step of the process, from vineyard to bottle, receives careful consideration. Alongside Thomas, the winemaking team consists of Phillip Brown (Associate Winemaker) and Kerri Crawford (Assistant Winemaker).

These wines form Le Clos Jordanne's top-tier "Le Grand Clos" range, which is their mission to hone in on the "filet mignon" of the Clos Jordanne vineyard and their finest expression of the Jordan Bench terroir. Le Clos Jordanne's estate vineyard is located about 14 km east of the winery on a premium parcel of the Jordan Bench, on the first rise from the plain, a natural plateau near the slope of the Niagara Escarpment. The vineyard features limestone-laced silt and clay glacial soils, which are known for bringing intensely focused fruit, minerality, and ageability to the resulting wines. Both the Le Grand Clos Chardonnay and Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir come from blocks located on the western side of the vineyard – a happenstance of aspect, altitude, drainage, and geology. The Chardonnay is from Block 1, while the Pinot Noir is from Blocks 3 and 7.

The vineyards are farmed both traditionally and sustainably in order to preserve the natural balance of the vines and maintain the parcel's terroir specifics and quality of fruit. Each vine is tended to by hand, from pruning through to harvest, with the vines pruned to either a single- or double-Guyot cane system. Some of the tasks in the vineyard include leaf stripping, which takes place on the eastern side of the vine, exposing the clusters to more sun and airflow, promoting healthy ripening and helping to prevent disease. The soil in the vineyard is managed to nurture and maintain a natural level of microbiological life. Every other row is cultivated, alternating yearly, leaving a varied cover crop in the remaining rows. This creates competition in the root system while allowing the topsoil to remain loose and aerobic. Each year, every second row of the soil is broken up (deep-ripped) in order to aerate the soil structure and help avoid compaction.

To craft this Chardonnay, hand-harvesting began slowly and meticulously on October 7, picking only the best bunches. The fruit was whole-bunch pressed, and the full tank of free-run juice was racked into French oak barrels, where it would remain for the next 18 months. The juice underwent wild yeast fermentation, followed by malolactic fermentation on its lees. During this process, Thomas, Kerri, and Phillip would go through each individual barrel, watching the process slowly unfold, and nearing the end of élevage, a selection of 33 barrels, seven of them being first fills, were blended and bottled.

To craft this Pinot Noir, the grapes were hanging beautifully with thick skins and great flavours when it was decided to hand-harvest on October 2 due to unseasonably warm weather and a heatwave in the short-range forecast. After hand-sorting and destemming, the grapes were placed into multiple fermentation tanks, separated by individual blocks, and allowed to naturally warm as the wild yeast began the fermentation process. After about a month, with daily pump-overs or punch-downs, the ferment was complete and the free-run wine was placed into 48 barrels, a combination of both first-fill and previous-fill barrels. After a fairly long period of ageing in barrel, the final wine was selected from 19 barrels, four of them being first fills, and then blended and bottled.

In 2023, the growing season in Niagara was a pretty classic vintage for the region, with no major curveballs. It began with a slightly mild winter followed by a warm spring, which meant early budbreak. Summer featured occasional heatwaves, along with big thunderstorms, which meant vigilant viticultural practices were needed. Harvest time arrived hard and fast with a beautiful, dry, and warm fall, with all the grapes harvested and processed within a very short 22-day window, ending on October 24. There were a handful of extra-long days and a few sleepless nights, but the passionate crew worked tirelessly to give the fruit and wines the attention and love they demanded and deserved. From a great vintage, let's see how these 2023 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from Niagara are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $55.00
Screw cap. Lovely, rich, and layered aromas of medium-high intensity deliver perfectly ripe apple and pear notes nuanced with vanilla, citrus, oak spice, butter, and mealy complexity. On the dry, full-bodied palate it is rich and flavourful with lovely orchard fruit and stone fruit, apple, pear, lemon citrus, and melon joined by oak spice, vanilla, and butter flavours in a complex profile. Impressively textured with an almost chalky mouthfeel. Some leesy notes add further complexity on the mid-palate. Lemon citrus and apple notes taper to savoury with leesy mineral, gentle oak spice, and vanilla notes on the exceptionally long finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93+ pts

DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184564) (XD) - $55.00
Screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose has crushed ripe raspberry and spice aromas with oak accents, plus whiffs of black cherry, earthy mushroom, beet root, and clove add complexity. The weighty, medium+ bodied has a nice, chalky textured mouthfeel and fresh acidity. It's dry and ripe with delicious dark raspberry, earthy mushroom, beet root, oak spice flavours, plus some notes of clove , white pepper, and stony mineral. It has grainy, chalky textured tannins with good structure and tension. Dark raspberry and spice notes taper to savoury, stony minerals on the long, chalky textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

A couple of wines by Domaine Le Clos Jordanne are available as VINTAGES Essentials at the LCBO, while the full range of wines can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara or through Arterra Wines Canada.

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Kew Fracette Sparkling 2025 and Inniskillin Fracette Rosé Sparkling 2025 (Ontario) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's sparkling wine reviews are a pair of delicious, brand-new Fracette sparkling wines that recently arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on Ontario wines in the September 12 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Fracette (pronounced “frah-SET”) is a new VQA category of sparkling wine that is uniquely Canadian, as it is crafted using Icewine. The term Fracette is a combination of words inspired by the frozen (fr-) grapes used to make Canadian Icewine and facette (-acette), representing the layers and complexities of this completely new style of sparkling wine.

What makes Fracette unique is that instead of a conventional mixture of still base wine with sugar and yeast being used in the tirage to spark secondary fermentation, VQA Icewine supplies the fermentable sugar. The secondary fermentation is what creates the bubbles and can take place either in tank (the Charmat or méthode cuve close method) or in bottle (the Traditional method). This distinctive use of Icewine as the tirage liqueur can enhance the freshness and depth of flavour of the finished wine, creating a crisp and complex sparkling wine with a unique drinking experience.

Some of the rules governing Fracette wines include the use of Vitis vinifera grape varieties, with Vidal permitted in the Icewine component, and no more than 15 g/L residual sugar. Like other VQA sparkling wines, the wine must derive its effervescence from alcoholic fermentation rather than artificial carbonation, have a minimum of 300 kPa, and the alcohol content must be between 7% and 14.9% ABV. Since November 2025, Fracette has been a protected and regulated VQA Ontario wine category under Ontario's Vintners Quality Alliance regulations.

Both of these delicious sparkling wines by Kew Vineyards and Inniskillin Wines are readily available at the LCBO, with the Kew Fracette Sparkling featured as a Hand-Picked Gift. I happened to notice while shopping over the weekend that both of these bubblies are also available at grocery stores. Let's see how these two locally crafted Ontario sparkling wines are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

KEW FRACETTE SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53239) (XD) - $26.95
Blend of 41% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Meuiner, and 10% Vidal Icewine. Delicate aromas of stone & orchard fruits, peach, floral, pear, and apple with hints of citrus rise out of the glass. On the weighty, medium-full bodied palate there's sweet fruited peach, floral, pear, apple, and citrus replays on the dry flavour profile. Acids are crisp, juicy, and refreshing, while the gentle mousse is clean and crisp. It's well-balanced throughout with floral, peach, pear, and citrus notes on the dry finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. 89 pts

INNISKILLIN FRACETTE ROSÉ SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53240) (XD) - $34.95
100% Cabernet Franc with Cabernet Franc Icewine used as the tirage. A finishing touch of Cabernet Franc Icewine was also used. The medium+ intensity nose has gentle aromas of red berry jelly, raspberry, strawberry, and cherry aromas with hints of citrus, rose floral, and mineral. It is light-to-medium bodied on the palate with lovely raspberry, cherry, and strawberry flavours mingling with blood orange, mineral, and spice flavours in a dry, complex flavour profile. It has clean and crisp acidity, along with finely crafted bubbles that are smooth, refined, and elegant. Red berry and citrus notes taper to minerals and spice on the long, savoury, and juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Kew Vineyards and Inniskillin are widely available at the LCBO and various online and brick-and-mortar shops, including grocery stores, and can also be ordered direct from each winery or through Arterra Wines Canada.

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July 4, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Nothing But Chardonnay

Here are my top wine picks from the July 4, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). After the last release focused on wines not named Chardonnay, this release's feature story is titled "Nothing But Chardonnay" and is a Chardonnay wine lover's delight. Overall, this is a very good release with 99 products offered, and everything should be readily available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story that focuses on the noble Chardonnay grape varietal. Of the fourteen wines featured as part of the thematic, six wines are included among my top Chardonnay wine picks. These days, Chardonnays tend to be crafted using various methods ranging from fermentation in stainless steel to concrete to various barrel types, and almost always aged in one of these vessels. Looking at my Chardonnay recommendations, the wine by Rustenberg was wild fermented using indigenous yeast and raised entirely in stainless steel tanks, while the Australian Chardonnay was wild fermented and aged in French oak barriques. The Novellum was mostly vinified in tank with a small portion aged in barrel. The complex versions are the wines by Henry of Pelham, Stratus, and Planeta, which were all fermented and aged in barrel.

My top red wine picks from this release begins in Bordeaux with the excellent Pessac-Léognan that is crafted with 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, while the Fronsac is made with 100% Merlot. Staying in France, the Côtes du Roussillon-Villages is composed of Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, while the Régnié is from Beaujolais and crafted with Gamay. The rest of my remaining red wine picks are all mono-varietal wines, beginning with a pair of dynamite Pinot Noirs, one each from Prince Edward County in Ontario and Central Otago in New Zealand. From Italy, both Riserva Chianti Classico wines are made with 100% Sangiovese, while the Etna Rosso from Sicily is crafted with Nerello Mascalese.

There are a number of white wine recommendations outside of Chardonnay in this release, with the only blend coming from Costières de Nîmes in Rhône, and it is composed of 50% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 10% Marsanne, and 10% Viognier. From Greece, there is a fine Malagousia, as well as an Assyrtiko. There is also a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, followed by a Verdicchio from Marche. And lastly, there is a Picpoul from Midi, a varietal we don't see too often in our market.

Among my rosé wine picks, the only mono-varietal rosé is a Pinot Noir from New Zealand, while the rest are all blends. The dry rosé from Provence is composed of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, while the rosé from Abruzzo is a 70/30 blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano. The last rosé is a blend of Castelão and Cabernet Sauvignon from Portugal.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LUIS GURPEGUI 147 ANIVERSARIO TEMPRANILLO 2021 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#37088) (XD) - $15.95
• GREEK WINE CELLARS FLOWERS XINOMAVRO 2023 - PGI Macedonia, Greece (#49583) (XD) - $17.95
• GÉRARD BERTRAND HERITAGE AN 1886 LES ASPRES GRENACHE/ MOURVÈDRE/ SYRAH 2022 - AOP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France (#413245) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU MAYNE-VIEIL FRONSAC 2019 - Sustainable, AOC, Bordeaux, France (#14469) (XD) - $19.95
• HOSPICES DE BEAUJEU CUVÉE MARQUISE DE VAUDREUIL RÉGNIÉ 2023 - AOC, Beaujolais, France (#49860) (XD) - $23.95
• FIRRIATO LE SABBIE DELL'ETNA ROSSO 2021 - DOC Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy (#219592) (XD) - $26.95
• LORNANO LE BANDITE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#230672) (XD) - $29.95
• LOVEBLOCK PINOT NOIR 2022 - Sustainable, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#313924) (XD) - $29.95  92 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2022 - AOC, Bordeaux, France (#48823) (XD) - $39.95  93 pts  wine review
• FÈLSINA BERARDENGA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#32304) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• CLOSSON CHASE CHURCHSIDE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, Unfiltered, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#265074) (XD) - $55.00

White Wine:

• LE JADE PICPOUL DE PINET 2024 - AOP, Midi, France (#350124) (XD) - $17.95
• ZACHARIAS ASSYRTIKO 2024 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#588814) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• RUSTENBERG WILD FERMENT UNWOODED CHARDONNAY 2024 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#48202) (XD) - $18.95
• NOVELLUM CHARDONNAY 2024 - France (#390781) (XD) - $19.95
• FILODIVINO SERRA 46 VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO 2023 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#49371) (XD) - $19.95
• MAS DES BRESSADES TRADITION BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, AOP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#701094) (XD) - $20.95  88 pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA WAIRAU VALLEY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#536201) (XD) - $24.95
• SMALL WONDER LANDSCAPE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Tamar Valley, Tasmania, Australia (#50127) (XD) - $28.95
• DOMAINE COSTA LAZARIDI SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUSIA 2024 - Vegan, PGI Drama, Greece (#30609) (XD) - $32.95  91+ pts  wine review
• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#616466) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
• STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#267856) (XD) - $35.20
• PLANETA CHARDONNAY 2024 - DOC Sicilia Menfi, Italy (#485102) (XD) - $56.95

Rosé Wine:

• CASA SANTOS LIMA COLOSSAL RESERVA ROSÉ 2025 - Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (#50311) (XD) - $13.95  88+ pts  wine review
• S DE LA SABLETTE COTEAUX VAROIS-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#23757) (XD) - $17.95
• ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2025 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#43353) (XD) - $19.95
• TORRE ZAMBRA INCASTRO ROSA 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, IGT Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy (#50316) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review

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Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Brut Sparkling 2018 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's sparkling wine review is a beautiful bubbly that was locally crafted in Niagara using the traditional method. It returned to the LCBO in last weekend's June 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Jackson-Triggs, one of Canada's most recognizable wine brands. It was established as a wine brand in 1993 by Allan Jackson and Donald Triggs under their company Vincor. By 2001, the estate in Niagara-on-the-Lake was opened, and it became a flagship centre for premium VQA wine production. From the start, the Jackson-Triggs estate in Niagara was designed from the start to produce premium VQA wines, and is noted for its gravity-flow production facility, sustainable architectural design, and visitor experience centred around wine tourism.

Jackson-Triggs was one of the first Canadian wine brands to achieve national distribution, and by the early 2000s it had become one of Canada's largest wine labels. Jackson-Triggs helped introduce many Canadians (including myself) to VQA wines and supported the growth of the Niagara wine industry. In 2006, Vincor and all its brands, including Jackson-Triggs, were acquired by Constellation Brands, who managed it for a decade until the Canadian division was sold to the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.

Today, Jackson-Triggs is owned by Arterra Wines Canada. The estate in Niagara-on-the-Lake is planted with mostly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling vines, and also features an outdoor amphitheatre that hosts concerts throughout the warmer months. The modern wine estate of Jackson-Triggs is considered to be one of the landmark winery buildings in Canada as the 45,000 square foot facility combines both production and hospitality under one roof.

The estate winemaker at Jackson-Triggs is Chris Holman, who was raised in Burlington, Ontario. His interest in agriculture was sown when he spent time on his grandparent's farm. Chris is a graduate of Winemaking and Viticulture programs at both Niagara College and Brock University and has held winemaking roles at a number of wineries in British Columbia and Australia. Chris also led the VQA sparkling and white winemaking programs for Arterra Wines Canada at Niagara Falls Cellars. In early 2024, Chris was appointed estate winemaker at Jackson-Triggs.

This lovely sparkling wine was crafted using a blend of 53% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier that was predominantly hand-harvested from their estate vineyard. Each varietal was whole-bunch pressed, clarified, and fermented separately. The base blend was carefully assembled to create an elegant and balanced wine. Secondary fermentation occurred in bottle with carefully selected yeast, and was aged on lees (sur lie) for five years.

In 2018, the growing season began with a cool spring, which delayed the start. In early May, the vines started taking off and made up for lost time, and enjoyed the ideal, hot and dry summer days from June to August. With above-average temperatures, the hot summer was perfect for grape development for all varieties. As harvest season approached, things got challenging as the weather shifted to high heat, humidity, and a bit of rain. Thin-skinned grapes and early-ripening varieties, such as those for this sparkling wine, were harvested at optimal quality thanks to ideal growing conditions throughout the summer. Let's see how this 2018 vintage traditional method sparkling wine from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT SPARKLING 2018 - Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#234161) (XD) - $34.95
Blend of 53% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier that was aged on its lees for 5 years. The medium-high intensity nose has a slightly mature feel to it with elegant and complex aromas of poached apple/pear, toasty brioche, pastry, autolytic, lemon citrus, and yeasty minerals. It is mid-weighted and dry with lovely, tangy apple, pear, lemon citrus, toasty, brioche, and yeasty mineral flavours in a complex profile. It has small, very finely beaded bubbles, alongside crisp and fresh acidity. Apple, pear, and lemon notes give away to toasty, leesy minerals on the long, savoury finish. Enjoy on your next special occasion. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines by Jackson-Triggs can be found not only at the LCBO, but also at Great Estates, Wine Rack, and Arterra Wines Canada.

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Kew Tradition Sparkling 2021 (Niagara) - Wine Review

To start off my weekend, tonight's wine review is this beautiful, Pinot-based vintage sparkling wine from Niagara that was crafted in the traditional method. It arrived at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on April 25th.

It is produced by Kew Vineyards, a boutique winery situated in the heart of Niagara on a 160-year-old estate, in Beamsville, Ontario. The Kew homestead was built by William Kew and used by the family to successfully produce carriages. Descendants of the Kew family lived on the property until the late-1960s until it was purchased by Dieter Gutler and his wife Ingrid and began a new chapter.

In 1975, Mr. Hermann Weis brought his own clones from the Mosel Valley in Germany and planted some of Niagara's first Riesling vines on the estate at Kew Vineyards. While Mr. Weis was relentlessly met with skepticism as the community said he could never do it, he would go on to become a true pioneer of Ontario's wine region as most of Niagara's Rieslings today are based on the Weis Clone.

After the passing of Ingrid in 2021, the historical property Kew Vineyards and its 80+ acres of vineyards were acquired by Arterra Wines Canada in 2023. Today, Kew Vineyards is a hidden gem of Niagara's wine country history. The vineyards are situated on sloping land and well-drained soils, with ideal growing temperatures. The philosophy at Kew is based on small-batch winemaking and that wine is the ultimate expression of passion. At Kew, there is passion for the art of wine making, passion for the land, and passion for the way in which it celebrates daily life.

The winemaker at Kew Vineyards is Phillip Brown, who grew up in the agricultural community of Campbellville, Ontario, within the Niagara Escarpment. Phillip's father's passion for wine and extensive cellar nurtured his curiosity and desire to understand more about the world of wine. Phillip joined Niagara College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program and gained experience at wineries in Ontario before moving to New Zealand in 2015 to work at a large-scale winery. Upon his return to Arterra, Phillip helped revive the Le Clos Jordanne project in 2017 and has been part of the Arterra winemaking team ever since. In early 2024, Phillip officially became the winemaker at Kew Vineyards.

As one of Niagara's sparkling wine specialists, Kew Vineyards produces seven unique, traditional method sparkling wines. Some of these bubblies are made using one varietal, while others are blends. Named "Tradition", this particular vintage sparkling wine is crafted as a blended wine, which is a true balancing act as winemakers must not only incorporate all the positive traits of each varietal, but also minimize the impact of their negative characteristics from one vintage to the next. This balancing act has been employed by Champagne producers for centuries as they balance the roles of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.

This sparkling wine is crafted using a fairly traditional blend of 49% Pinot Noir, 23% Chardonnay, and 22% Pinot Meunier, while also incorporating a unique twist with 6% Pinot Blanc. All the grapes were grown at the Estate Vineyard in the Beamsville Bench appellation of the Niagara Escarpment. The blend of the three traditional varietals results in a wine with gorgeous structure and depth, along with elegance and complexity that is unparalleled by any single varietal sparkling wine. In the traditional method, it underwent primary fermentation in stainless steel, while secondary fermentation took place in bottle. The wine was aged on its lees for 4 years and was released to the market in February 2026.

In 2021, the growing season began with above-average temperatures during winter, followed by a warmer spring. In May, conditions were dry with optimal temperatures, just in time for bud break. During the summer months, there were very high temperatures with minimal rain, which forced producers to manage drought. Conditions were looking exceptional heading into and throughout August. However, rain during harvest in September was problematic as the increased levels of moisture brought along with it elevated levels of rot, disease, and swelling of the grapes. While this is not a good vintage for late-ripening varieties, it is an incredible vintage for sparkling wines and early-ripening varieties. Let's see how this 2021 traditional method sparkling from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KEW TRADITION SPARKLING 2021 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#491092) (XD) - $32.95
This lovely sparkling wine is a blend of 49% Pinot Noir, 23% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Meunier, and 6% Pinot Blanc. Elegant, medium-high intensity nose features toasty, brioche, lemon citrus, apple, and pastry aromas nuanced with autolytic characters. The mid-weighted palate is dry with a lovely, finely elegant bead of persistent bubbles, along with delicious flavours of apple, lemon citrus, toasty, brioche, and autolytic notes. Acids are crisp and fresh. Brioche and leesy mineral notes come to the fore on the long, crisp, and gently chalky textured finish. Will be an elegant accompaniment to Mother's Day brunch and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Several lovely wines by Kew Vineyards are available at the LCBO, as well as your local Wine Rack, while the full range can be ordered directly from winery in Niagara and through Arterra Wines Canada.

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Bolgrad Select Chardonnay 2024 and Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 (Ukraine) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delicious wines from Ukraine that made their debut at the LCBO in last month's April 11 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Bolgrad Winery, the No. 1 still-wine producing winery in Ukraine, as they produce 18% of the country's still-wine production. Bolgrad is based in the Odesa region, which is at the heart of the country's winemaking, with over 60% of Ukraine's vines rooted in this region. While the brand was only formed in 1990, the company's history goes back more than 100 years.

Bolgrad's history begins in 1900, when it was housed in the State Wine Warehouse, and vines were grown by landowners. Over time, the producer became the country's largest state-owned winery. At the end of the war in 1945, the company's official history with a decree, and it became a factory on paper. The winery has travelled a thorny path since that time, but has maintained its principles and commitment to producing high-quality wine.

Today, Bolgrad is a well-established producer of alcoholic beverages, including wine and spirits, with quality control at every stage and distribution in various countries globally. To produce their wines, they use a combination of both traditional and modern winemaking techniques.

These wines are from Bolgrad's Select Collection, which is their export-focused, premium range of wines. Selection Collection wines are varietally expressive, fruit-forward, and designed for international palates. Each of these wines are mono-varietal wines that were grown on the southwestern slopes of Yalpug, one of Ukraine's largest freshwater lakes. This area is nestled in a unique valley, where the grapes are kissed by the sunlight from both the sun in the sky and its shimmering reflection on the water's surface. The grapes were carefully selected and hand-harvested at the precise moment of optimal maturity to produce wines of balance.

Given the challenging conditions that are present in the country, the 2024 vintage in Ukraine is considered to be a success in terms of quality. There was continuous rainfall throughout winter and spring, until late May, while summer was exceptionally sunny and hot, which resulted in an earlier than usual harvest. Yields were impacted by the weather conditions, as well as the ongoing conflict, but overall, the vintage is considered to be of exceptional quality. Let's see how these 2024 vintage wines from Ukraine are tasting...

Tasting Notes:

BOLGRAD SELECT CHARDONNAY 2024 - Odesa, Ukraine (#48301) (XD) - $17.95
Delicate, medium intensity nose features white peach, apricot, and ripe lemon citrus aromas, plus hints of honeyuckle and floral. The weighty, medium-full bodied palate is dry with honeyed notes of lemon citrus, apple, pear, apricot, and honeysuckle flavours. It has clean, well-balanced acidity, along with some spicy warmth on the mid-palate. Citrus and apricot notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Score: 87+ pts

BOLGRAD SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2024 - Ukraine (#48357) (XD) - $17.95
A gentle nose of red plum and currant aromas with hints of cran-cherry, cassis, and savoury oak. It's medium-full bodied and very ripe with sweet fruited flavours of currant, cassis, plum, black cherry, and oak spice. It's supported by very good, fresh acidity, alongside well-structured and gently grippy tannins. Good length on the savoury, slightly smoky finish. Score: 86 pts

While there is a Brandy by Bolgrad available at the LCBO, any other products may be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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Featherstone Four Feathers 2024 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious, vegan-friendly, and off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) white wine blend from Niagara that is crafted with mainly Riesling. It is a VINTAGES Essentials product that was featured in Local Talent in last weekend's March 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, and this vintage should be readily available at most stores.

It is produced by Featherstone Estate Winery, a boutique, eco-conscious winery that was established by Louise Engel and her winemaker husband, Dave Johnson. The name "Featherstone" is an homage to the gourmet food shop named "Feather" which specialized in poultry that they once owned, and "stone" for the stone rock face and quarry adjacent to the vineyard. Featherstone is situated in Vineland, Ontario, among the rolling hills of the Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara Escarpment. Featherstone prides itself on its eco-friendly farming practices, which have been in place since its founding in 1999.

In 2024, amidst its 25th anniversary, Featherstone began a new chapter as it was acquired by philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal, while Louise and Dave look forward to retirement after 25 successful years. Today, the Head Winemaker at Featherstone is Kevin Qin, a graduate of the Niagara College Winery & Viticulture program. Kevin joined Featherstone in 2014 and has grown alongside the winery ever since as he started out in retail and eventually moved into cellar operations and harvest leadership, while also assisting Dave in winemaking.

The philosophy at Featherstone remains the same - as both grape growing and winemaking are both scientific and intuitive processes - the wines of Featherstone reflect the special character of the grapes, as well as the artistry of the winemaker. In the vineyard, they work through the growing season to enhance the grapes' natural attributes, and then craft wines with minimal winemaking embellishments. Their goal is to produce limited amounts of small-lot wines so that they are able to practice hands-on, artisanal wine production.

As a local leader in eco-friendly farming practices, respect for the land is at the heart of making wine that is true to its soil and its site. Featherstone pioneered in Niagara the employment of a small flock of sheep to naturally eat their way through the grape leaves that need to be removed from the fruiting zone on the vines, while also fertilizing the soil as they move through the vineyard. Among the many sustainable practices, Featherstone takes care of their dirt by avoiding herbicides, planting cover crops, using organic compounds to control mould and mildew, managing bugs without the use of insecticides, and switching to a recycle sprayer. In 2023, Featherstone received its Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) certification.

This certified sustainable white wine is a blend of precisely 60.1% Riesling, 18.2% Pinot Grigio, 12.6% Chardonnay, and 9.1% Gewurztraminer using grapes grown across the Niagara Peninsula. The grapes were both hand- and machine-harvested from Sept. 9th to Oct. 18th. After bringing the grapes to the winery, the juice was pressed and transferred into stainless steel tanks to undergo a temperature-controlled fermentation. It also underwent eight hours of juice fining and settling, then racked off its lees.

In 2024, the growing season in Niagara had perfect conditions from early bud break to the warm and late fall that allowed for a long hang time. While there was a slight hiccup in early fall due to moisture and disease pressure from rain that affected early-ripening and thin-skinned grapes, those that picked early were able to mitigate these pressures. From an exceptional vintage with plenty of ripeness and acidity, let's see how this 2024 Riesling-based blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS 2024 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#341586) (D) - $15.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, this blend of 60.1% Riesling, 18.2% Pinot Grigio, 12.6% Chardonnay, and 9.1% Gewurztraminer has a delicate, medium+ intensity nose of ripe peach, lemon peel, and apple with hints of honey and floral. On medium+ bodied palate it is gently off-dry with good concentration and delicious poached peach, lemon peel, apple, honey, and floral replays joined by spice notes on the flavour profile. Acids are clean and well-balanced. Finishes crisp and dry with leesy and apple notes, with good length. Chill and enjoy this easy drinking, recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

Many other delicious wines by Featherstone are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara.

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Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret Fourchaume Chablis 1er Cru 2023 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of an excellent Premier Cru Chablis from Burgundy that arrived at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the February 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret, a small, family-owned winery situated in the Chablis wine region of Burgundy. Originally from the commune of Maligny, in Chablis, the Vocoret family of winemakers is inscribed in the history of vine cultivation and winemaking in the heart of their vineyard since 1713.

The story of the family begins with Jean Vocoret, whose winemaking soul no doubt guided him to pass down his wisdom, his fruits, and the nobility and passion for craftmanship in winemaking to his descendants. Born in 1863, it was Victor Hyppolite Vocoret, the great, great-grandfather of Yvon, who contributed to the renaming of the Domaine when he only had a few acres of vines and small barrels in the cellar.

Born in 1895, it was Yvon's grandparents, Henri and Louise Vocoret, who, despite the suffering during WWI, managed to make the land prosper with the help of their horses, their pride and joy, to produce excellent wine. Next were Maurice and Huguette Vocoret, the parents of Yvon who, hand-in-hand, carefully reflected upon the art of winemaking and invested in high-performing and efficient equipment for the cellar. Maurice and Huguette anticipated that with these improvements, the quality of their wines would gain recognition and respect, and since that time, the Domaine has maintained its reputation for producing high quality wines.

Today, the Domaine is in the hands of Yvon Vocoret and his son, Laurent, the fifth and sixth generations of the family, respectively. Additionally, the spouses Christine (wife of Yvon) and Clémentine (wife of Laurent) are also involved in the family business. Together, they have the same motivation as their ancestors and are grateful and respectful, as they continue to write the story of a humble, but determined, family of winegrowers. By using the same principles as generations that came before them, the Vocoret family produces wines with expertise and passion. With respect for the soil and grapes, the winery works with small volumes, thereby allowing each of their plots to express itself. The current generation of the Vocoret family upholds their family motto of quality, dignity, and respect.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was grown in Fourchaume, the largest and one of the best known Premier Cru vineyards in Chablis. The vines average 40 years old and are planted on clayey-gravelly soil resulting from Kimmeridgian limestone on marls, along with pebbles of marly limestone with a slightly whitish appearance. With respect for the environment, the family has been farming this vineyard organically since 1974. By 2005 they eliminated the use of anti-botrytis treatments, and by 2009 they stopped using chemical herbicides, and have been practicing sustainable farming for the last 17 years.

To craft this Chardonnay while respecting the character of the vintage, each plot of grapes was harvested at full maturity using both manual and mechanical methods. It was vinified by using the purest and simplest traditions that the family has been applying for five generations. It underwent a very light static settling to retain enough fine lees so that alcoholic and malolactic fermentations can proceed naturally. The wine was aged for 9 months in stainless steel tanks to obtain freshness and character.

In 2023, the season began with a very warm January, followed by average temperatures in February and March, and then a cooler-than-normal April, with enormously varied rainfall amounts during these months. May was also cooler than the long-term average, but warmed up at the end of the month, just in time for flowering and setting the stage for a large crop. June was warmer and drier than usual, while July saw normal rainfall, but was on the cool side, and by early August Chablis was facing drought conditions. August ended with storms and very warm weather, with the warm weather persisting into September and into an early and successful harvest. The extremely good 2023 vintage produced a large crop with wines that are ripe, lush, balanced, and juicy.

After enjoying the excellent 2021 Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret Fourchaume Chablis 1er Cru nearly three years ago, let's see how this 2023 Chablis 1er Cru from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE YVON & LAURENT VOCORET FOURCHAUME CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2023 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#22776) (XD) - $58.95
Crafted with 100% Chardonnay, this has an elegant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that feels a bit shy, offering significant flinty and stony mineral aromas layered over rich lemon citrus, golden apple, and pear, plus touches of yellow floral. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it is richly concentrated and dense with lovely flinty, stony, and saline mineral flavours alongside lemon citrus, golden apple, and pear, plus touches of floral. Exceptionally well-balanced with fine, succulent acidity. Gentle spice notes on the mid-palate, while the stony, flinty, apple, and lemon citrus notes carry through to the exceptionally long finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other fine wines by Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret can be purchased through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.

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Atrevida Chardonnay 2023 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious, unoaked Chardonnay from Argentina that landed at the LCBO as a brand-new arrival in last month's January 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Atrevida, which translates to "daring" in English, is a range of wines from Argentina produced by Manos Negras for the export market. Manos Negras is one of a number of winery projects owned by Mil Suelos, a project that began as a collaboration in the early 2010s between three Argentine wine professionals - Alejandro Sejanovich, Jeff Mausbach, and Jorge Crotta.

Today, the founders of Mil Suelos remain with the company as they make wine, experiment, taste, share, and above all, express places. Their philosophy is based on the belief that every wine should reflect the site where it is born, because it is the soil that gives it identity. They strive to capture the essence of each place through its land, while also exploring how each soil type imparts its character to the vine and, ultimately, to the wine. Moreover, it is the connection between soil, vine, and wine where the true expression of place is found, thus allowing each bottle to tell its own story of origin. At Mil Suelos, every wine is born from a unique terroir using grapes from their own vineyards or those from winegrowers who they have worked with for many years.

Born and raised in Mendoza, Alejandro is a viticulturalist and winemaker with experience working in some of Argentina's finest vineyards. He explores the relationship between the soil and vine to enhance the identity of each terroir and transform it into fine wine. Jeff arrived in Mendoza from the American Midwest in the 1990s and has a deep passion for the world of winemaking. As commercial director at Mil Suelos, Jeff has worked tirelessly to develop international markets and share his love for Argentine wine across the globe. As an educator and marketer born in Mendoza, Jorge has dedicated his career to promoting Argentine wine worldwide with passion and professionalism.

While there isn't very much info published about the brand, the range of Atrevida wines are daring, bold, adventurous, and represent the passionate spirit of Argentina. The brand has existed for about 15 years and offers a unique combination of Old World European elegance with a spicy Latin twist as Argentine culture is animated and passionate.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was grown in high altitude vineyards at 3,500 feet in the Uco Valley of Mendoza. The vineyards are nestled in the foothills of the mighty Andes and planted on well-drained alluvial soils, with a combination of stones rich with limestone, sand, gravel, and silt. The cool, sunny days produce fruit with bright green apple and pear flavours, while the cold mountain nights result in a fresh and crisp texture. The grapes underwent a temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation for 12 days in stainless steel tanks, and without malolactic fermentation. It was aged for 6 months in stainless steel tanks and did not see any time in oak.

With recent years in Argentina influenced by La Niña, which left the country in a state of drought, including the winter months which were unnaturally dry but with some polar influences, the 2023 growing season turned out to be a roller coaster of a vintage. It began with spring frosts that attacked nascent buds during budburst, which massively cut yields in parts of the country. Once the icy frosts receded, the season settled into warm and dry days, followed by a summer that was among the hottest and driest in years, which resulted in the grapes ripening very quickly. Vineyards situated at high-altitudes - such as those where this Chardonnay is from - benefitted from great diurnal temperature variation between hot days and cool nights, which allowed the grapes to retain acidity and aromatics. Due to the heat, the harvest was relatively early. From a good vintage with reduced quantity, let's see how this 2023 unoaked Chardonnay from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ATREVIDA CHARDONNAY 2023 - Vegan, Mendoza, Argentina (#46402) (XD) - $17.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this unoaked Chardonnay has a medium+ intensity nose of ripe apple and pear aromas joined by lemon citrus, plus whiffs of tropical fruit and flinty-leesy minerals, earthy, and a hint of dough adding a savoury component. On the dry, mid-weighted palate it offers delicious more ripe apple, pear, lemon citrus, plus some peach and spice notes. It has crisp and bracing acidity, while lemon citrus notes taper to flinty-leesy minerals on the savoury finish, with very good length. Chill well and enjoy this recommended buy tonight with seafood or poultry. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious wines from the Atrevida portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Cave de Lugny Mâcon-Chardonnay 2023 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is this lovely, certified sustainable Chardonnay from the Mâconnais wine region of Burgundy. It is brand new to the LCBO, arriving as part of last month's December 20 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Cave de Lugny, a historically significant co-operative winery situated in the Mâconnais wine district of Burgundy. While the roots of Cave de Lugny date back to the 18th century, it was officially founded in 1927 on the backs of wines that were produced from the famous vineyards of Saint Pierre, Les Crêts, and La Grande Vigne, and was the second wine co-operative that was established in the Mâconnais, only one year after the establishment of the co-operative Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé.

With shared common values and interests, the two wine co-operatives merged in 1966, but maintained their own production sites. The combined group invested in their facilities, including the installation of packaging facilities in 1970 at both sites, and all the production of red wines was moved to Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé, while all the white wines were produced at Lugny. In 1987, the group's long name was shortened to "Cave de Lugny", and in 1994 they were joined by a third wine co-operative - Cave de Chardonnay.

Today, Cave de Lugny is firmly rooted in the Mâconnais countryside and is proud of its origins and history, which have made it a specialist in Southern Burgundy wines. The winery is forward-thinking and seeks to grow by producing not only quality wines, but also by improving the quality of working conditions. The three wineries of Cave de Lugny each have their own specialization. The winery in Chardonnay is dedicated to the production of sparkling wines, while the winery in Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé mainly vinifies red wines. At Lugny, they vinify and age white wines, as well as handle packaging and shipping for all three wineries.

When the co-operative was initially founded, it consisted of 116 wine growers, a number that grew three years later to 180, and today that number exceeds 400 members. Together, the members of Cave de Lugny are masters of the land, proud of their craft, and share a love of their vineyards. The growers, some of whom are several generations old, are united and determined, creative and innovative, and represent a veritable raw talent which plays a crucial role in the development of the local area, the conservation of the environment, and the preservation of the region's rural activity. The wines of Cave de Lugny are produced with protected designations of origin, which build a reputation over the long term. Since 2014, Cave de Lugny has been an approved and certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing.

This particular white wine was formerly known as a Grand Reserve and came to us as a brand-new label. It is crafted with 100% Chardonnay grapes that were grown in the appellation of Mâcon-Chardonnay. The village of Chardonnay is situated in the northern part of the Mâconnais region, and the vines are grown on the slopes of two valleys: on the one side, on the northernmost extension of the hillside of Lugny along to the village of Ozenay, and on the other, between Chardonnay and the hills looking down over Tournus.

Historically, this ancient settlement was founded by the Romans and known as Cardonacum, which became Chardonnay over time. With architectural heritage artifacts, the area was known to practice winegrowing and for its dedication to transforming grapes. Towards the end of the 18th century, the village made a name for itself by producing white wines from the famous varietal, which at the time was known by many different names. In 1860, when Dr. Jules Guyot visited Baron d'Empire Chapuis-Montlaville’s property, he saw "Chardennets" plants that were more than 80 years old, and gradually the name of the village became intertwined with the grape variety.

For this Chardonnay, the 80 hectares of vines average over 30 years old and are planted on south-southeast facing slopes, on shallow soils made of limestone. To vinify this wine, the grapes were mechanically harvested and pressed in a pneumatic press. It underwent alcoholic fermentation at a controlled temperature of between 16°C and 18°C, followed by complete malolactic fermentation. The wine was matured on its lees in stainless steel vats and then bottled.

The 2023 growing season in Burgundy provided an abundance of both quantity and quality. A relatively benign winter turned into a tumultuous spring which featured both unseasonably warm and chilly days. This delayed budbreak, but avoided any spring frosts. Summer eventually arrived, along with some thunderstorms, which created humid conditions and meant that growers had to be vigilant in monitoring disease in the vineyard. Conditions leading up to harvest were balmy, followed by very good weather during harvest. The latent summer heat resulted in rich, aromatic, and fruit-driven wines. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2023 Chardonnay from Mâconnais, Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CAVE DE LUGNY MÂCON-CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, AOC, Burgundy, France (#45272) (XD) - $23.95
This 100% unoaked Chardonnay has lovely, richly elegant aromas of medium-high intensity rising out of the glass with notes of lemon citrus, flinty-leesy mineral, apple, pear, and white flower, plus accents of white peach. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it is lightly honeyed with apple, pear, citrus, spice, and white flower flavours nuanced with leesy minerals. It has fresh and lively acidity, with a juicy mid-palate, and a finely textured mouthfeel. Apple, pear, and citrus notes give way to spice and leesy-flinty minerals on the long, crisp, and well-balanced finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

A pair of lovely wines by Cave de Lugny are readily available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Trilogy Wine Merchants.

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Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2023 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious, sustainable, and vegan-friendly Chardonnay that screams local as it was barrel-fermented and aged in Canadian oak barrels. This white wine returned to the LCBO as part of last month's October 11th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario, including at the winery in Niagara.

It is produced by Featherstone Estate Winery, an eco-friendly winery situated on 23 acres of rolling hills in the prestigious Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara Escarpment. The winery was founded in 1999 by Louise Engel and her winemaker husband, Dave Johnson, and prides itself on their use of eco-friendly practices in the vineyard and cellar since the beginning. In 2024, after 25 successful years, Featherstone changed hands and began a new chapter under the ownership of philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal.

The vision at Featherstone is to build on the successes of the past and continue to produce distinctive, small-batch Niagara wines that are cultivated in soils that reflect the biodiversity of the Niagara Escarpment. The philosophy at Featherstone has always been based on respect for the land which is at the heart of making wine that is true to its soil and site. Through biodiversity and reduced chemical intervention, Featherstone encourages an environment that is healthy and unique, as they believe that this individuality translates into their wines. As nutrients and minerals are exchanged and transformed in a give-and-take relationship between living soil organisms and plants, there is a mutually beneficial circle where the soil nourishes the vine, while farming practices nurture the soil. Since its founding, Featherstone has always prided itself on farming without the use of insecticides, and in 2023 they achieved their Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) certification.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was harvested on October 26, 2023. The grapes were machine harvested, crushed, de-stemmed, and then pressed into barrels made from Canadian oak that was grown nearby. It underwent alcoholic fermentation in barrels using wild, indigenous yeast, followed by 100% complete malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 10 months in 100% Canadian oak barrels, with lees stirring taking place on a monthly basis.

In 2023, rhe growing season was wet, dreary, and featured a smoke-filled summer, but was remarkably saved by a dry and warm fall. While the harvest was pushed back by as much as three weeks, most varieties that were harvested were in good shape, with a bountiful crop. Chardonnay was one of the star varieties of the vintage as it benefited from warm days and cool nights prior to harvest and developed vibrant fruit and juicy acidity. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2023 Chardonnay from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#149302) (XD) - $24.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, the fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers caramel, banana, and vanilla aromas surrounding a core of ripe tropical fruits, yellow apples, and creamed peaches. On the dry, full-ish bodied palate it has caramel, vanilla, buttery, yellow apple, and peach flavours joined by some toasty oak spice notes. It's well-structured with crisp and juicy acidity, while the spice notes give way to leesy minerals on the long, juicy finish. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Many other delicious wines by Featherstone are available at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara.

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