Showing posts with label sparkling-wine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sparkling-wine. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedMonday, January 12, 2026

Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2024 (Veneto) - Wine Review

sparkling wine review is a delicious, premium Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG that made its debut at the LCBO last month. It was included as part of the feature on Finest Festive Wines in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Bottega SpA, a family-owned winery and distillery with deep roots in the Veneto wine region of northeastern Italy. Their story begins in 1635 when their forefather, Andrea, cultivated vines in the hills near Molinetto della Croda in Refrontolo, a comune in the Province of Treviso. The family were tenant farmers for the Counts of Collalto until they gained their freedom, after which they started to farm their own lands.

The more recent history of the family begins in the 1920s with Domingo Bottega, a wine trader and passionate oenologist who was able to easily identify the best grapes in the vineyard. In the 1950s and 1960s, Aldo Bottega, son of Domingo, expanded on his father's passion for the vine and established a distillery. In 1977, Bottega SpA was founded by Aldo and his wife, Rosina, in Pianzano di Godega, within the Province of Treviso, the heartland and historical home of Prosecco.

Today, Bottega is run by the children of Aldo and Rosina - siblings Sandro, Barbara, and Stefano. Sandro became the company director in 1983. In 1992, they added a winery to the distillery and began producing Prosecco Spumante. In 2007, the company moved its premises to a big 18th century farmhouse situated in Bibano di Godega di Sant'Urbano, 50 km from Venice, near Conegliano Veneto, among 10 hectares of vineyards. This farmhouse was renovated according to state-of-the-art environmental standards, while also keeping its original architectural features.

The mission and values at Bottega are based on quality and typicality, design and innovation, and sustainability. As a major international exporter, Bottega's products are available in over 150 countries worldwide. Bottega is particularly known for their portfolio of Prosecco sparkling wines, many of which come in distinctive packaging that are immediately recognizable as Bottega.

In the pyramid of Prosecco quality, this sparkling wine is part of the upper, higher-quality pyramid of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco. The story of this DOCG begins in the hilly area of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, in northeast Italy, about 50 km from Venice and 100 km from the Dolomites. Locals have grown grapes to produce Prosecco Superiore in this area for over three centuries, with success arriving in 1876 after the founding of Italy's first School of Oenology. The production area of Conegliano Valdobbiadene covers 15 communes and represents the heart of the world of Prosecco. Italy first recognized this historic denomination in 1969, and in 2009 it was elevated it to a Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin (DOCG), the highest level of quality for Italian wines.

This vintage Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore is crafted with 100% Glera that was grown in the hilly area close to the Venetian Prealps. This area has a temperate climate with mild winters and fresh summers, while also offering a wide diurnal temperature range which stimulates the aromatic compounds in the grapes, resulting in finer and more intense aromas. This area also has a diversity of soils, sun exposure, and slopes, which helps craft complex Prosecco wines.

To craft this wine, the grapes were hand-harvested at various times according to their ripeness at the end of September. Only ripe, healthy, and suitable grapes were selected, and then softly pressed to protect grape integrity. The must was stored at low temperatures in steel tanks, followed by first fermentation using selected yeasts. In accordance with the Martinotti (aka Charmat) method, the second fermentation took place in cuve close (sealed tank) at a controlled temperature of
15°C in order to preserve the primary aromas of the grapes. The wine was left in contact with its lees to enhance the body, structure, and aroma of the wine, while also balancing sugar residues. It was then cold-stabilized, filtered, and finally bottled. The wine rests for a few days in bottle to restore its natural balance prior to release.

In 2024, the growing season in Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG was unstable with many challenges. Spring was unusually cold and rainy with near-record rainfall from April to mid-June. These weather conditions significantly delayed vegetative development until early July, which resulted in uneven fruit set, loose clusters, and irregular berries. However, improved conditions leading up to and during harvest allowed growers to bring in a generally healthy crop, albeit with slightly reduced yields. From a promising vintage, let's see how this 2024 Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore is tasting tonight...

Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2024 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

BOTTEGA IL VINO DEI POETI BRUT VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE 2024 - Sustainable, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#46058) (D) - $29.95
100% Glera. Clean, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose of peach, nectarine, yellow citrus, white floral, and acacia aromas with hints of orange peel and leesy mineral. On the mid-weighted palate it has delicious peach, nectarine, white floral, acacia, and yellow citrus flavours with pleasing touches of savoury bitterness and leesy notes, plus a pinch of balancing sugar in a mostly dry flavour profile. It has clean and fresh acidity, along with refined bubbles. It's nicely balanced throughout with citrus and leesy notes on the lengthy, lip-smacking finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 1-2 years. Score: 89 pts

Many other lovely wines by Bottega SpA are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, December 20, 2025

December 20, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Special Sparklers

LCBO Wine Picks: December 20, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here are my top wine picks from the last release of the year - the December 20, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). We are back to a manageable release size with just over 100 products offered in this release. The feature story is titled "Special Sparklers" and focuses on fine sparkling wines to cap off the year. All the wines should be readily available for purchase both online and in-store at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story that looks at special sparkling wines for your next (special) occasion, whether its New Year's celebrations or something else months from now. Of the dozen bubblies that were included as part of the theme, five are among my top sparkling wine picks. From Champagne, the Blanc de Blancs is crafted with 100% Chardonnay, while the Zero Dosage Champagne is composed of 50% Pinot Meunier, 25% Chardonnay, and 25% Pinot Noir. Also from France, the Limoux is crafted with the indigenous Mauzac grape varietal. On the local front, from Niagara, the 2018 Brut Sparkling is a blend of 53% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier, while the Rosé Sparkling is made with 68% Chardonnay and 32% Pinot Noir, with dosage of Cabernet Franc.

Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Brut Sparkling 2018 (91+ pts)

Other sparkling wines not part of the feature story include the 2021 Brut Sparkling from Prince Edward County that is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, while the Crémant de Bourgogne is 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir.

Italy leads the way among my top red wine picks from this release, and at the top of the pecking order is the excellent Nerello Mascalese from Sicily. Tuscany has a quartet of lovely red wines, with Sangiovese the centrepiece. The Brunello di Montalcino is crafted with Sangiovese Grosso, while the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a blend of Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile), Canaiolo, and other permitted varieties. The Riserva Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese, while the Chianti Classico Annata is composed of 90% Sangioveto (Sangiovese) and 10% Canaiolo. From France, both the Vacqueyras and the Corbières are blends made with Grenache and Syrah. Among the mono-varietal wines, both Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Australia will delight, as well as the Pinotage from South Africa.

Tornatore Pietrarizzo Etna Rosso 2021 (92+ pts)Carpineto Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2020 (91+ pts)

Nozzole Riserva Chianti Classico 2021 (91+ pts)Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico 2023 (91 pts)

Zonte's Footstep 1st Off The Rank Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (92 pts)Angove Family Crest Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (89 pts)

Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage 2022

All of my top white wine recommendations in this release are mono-varietal wines and dry, including the Rieslings from Australia and Austria. Chardonnay wine lovers should find joy in examples from Niagara, Burgundy, and Australia. Other mono-varietal white wines include the Chenin Blanc from South Africa, an Italian Pinot Grigio from Trentino, a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, and a Spanish Verdejo from Rueda.

Kilikanoon Mort's Block Watervale Riesling 2023 (90+ pts)Cave de Lugny Mâcon-Chardonnay 2023

Happy holidays and see you in 2026! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • MONTES LIMITED SELECTION PINOT NOIR 2023 - DO Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#37937) (XD) - $16.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • FALERNIA GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2021 - Sustainable, Valle de Elqui, Chile (#269175) (XD) - $17.95
  • VITIS ÚNICA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#668707) (XD) - $18.95
  • ANGOVE FAMILY CREST CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#20886) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • AUBERT & MATHIEU MARIE ANTOINETTE CORBIÈRES 2023 - AOP, Languedoc, France (#25811) (XD) - $19.95

  • KANONKOP KADETTE PINOTAGE 2022 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#30191) (XD) - $21.95  review coming soon...
  • ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP 1ST OFF THE RANK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#33417) (XD) - $21.95  92 pts  wine review
  • FAMILLE PERRIN LES CHRISTINS VACQUEYRAS 2022 - AOC, Rhône, France (#973453) (XD) - $25.95
  • NOZZOLE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#11109) (XD) - $27.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • CASTELLARE DI CASTELLINA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2023 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#970095) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review

  • BLACK BANK HILL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#48739) (XD) - $34.95
  • CARPINETO RISERVA VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#368910) (XD) - $34.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • TORNATORE PIETRARIZZO ETNA ROSSO 2021 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#18926) (XD) - $40.95  92+ pts  wine review
  • PECCHENINO SAN GIUSEPPE BAROLO 2019 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#181396) (XD) - $76.95
  • LA TORRE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#17626) (XD) - $81.95
Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir 2023 (88+ pts)

White Wine:

  • TRASIEGO GREEN QUARTZ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Valle de Casablanca, Chile (#47080) (XD) - $16.95
  • ALVI'S DRIFT 221 CHENIN BLANC 2024 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#45189) (XD) - $17.95
  • MOUNTADAM EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2024 - Eden Valley, South Australia (#10411) (XD) - $18.95
  • PAGO DEL CIELO CELESTE ON THE LEES SUR LIES VERDEJO 2024 - DO Rueda, Spain (#44756) (XD) - $19.95
  • CONTESSA GIOVANNI MANCI PINOT GRIGIO 2024 - DOC Trentino, Italy (#46527) (XD) - $19.95
  • KILIKANOON MORT'S BLOCK WATERVALE RIESLING 2023 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#428342) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • CAVE DE LUGNY MÂCON-CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, AOC, Burgundy, France (#45272) (XD) - $23.95  review coming soon...
  • DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20455) (XD) - $30.00
  • DOMÄNE WACHAU RIED LOIBENBERG FEDERSPIEL RIESLING 2023 - Wachau, Austria (#45352) (XD) - $32.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • ANTECH CUVÉE FRANÇOISE BRUT NATURE BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX - Traditional Method, AOP, Languedoc, France (#44204) (XD) - $22.95
  • JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT SPARKLING 2018 - Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#234161) (XD) - $34.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • LOUIS BOUILLOT FLASHBACK 1975 EXTRA BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE - Anniversary Edition, Traditional Method, AOC, Burgundy, France (#46346) (XD) - $39.95
  • TWO SISTERS LUSH ROSÉ SPARKLING 2021 - Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#42955) (D) - $58.00
  • LAFONTAINE DU LOUP BRUT SPARKLING 2021 - Ttraditional Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#48424) (D) - $65.45
  • NICOLAS FEUILLATTE BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS CHAMPAGNE 2019 - AOC, France (#13831) (XD) - $66.95
  • BRUNO PAILLARD DOSAGE ZÉRO D:Z CHAMPAGNE - AOP, France (#45268) (XD) - $127.95

Dessert Wine:

  • LAKEVIEW CELLARS RIESLING ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471839, 200 mL) (S) - $34.95  92 pts  wine review
  • INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATE CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#48391, 375 mL) (S) - $99.95  92+ pts  wine review
Inniskillin Niagara Estate Cabernet Franc Icewine 2023 (93 pts)Lakeview Cellars Riesling Icewine 2019 (92 pts)


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  • Date publishedMonday, November 24, 2025

November 22, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Gifts + Niagara Sparklers

LCBO Wine Picks: November 22, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here are my top wine picks from the November 22, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), which has Giftable Wines as the feature story of the release, while Sparkling Wines from Niagara is the mini-thematic, as well as the topic in Local Talent. This is a fairly large release with almost 130 products offered, with about two-thirds of the wines coming in at under $35. Overall, it is a very good release with many delicious examples from across the globe, including Australia, which is notably strong in this release. All the wines should be readily available for purchase online and in-stores across Ontario.

Of the twenty-nine wines included as part of the feature story on Giftable Wines, nine are included among my top wine picks. The lone bubbly is the 2017 Blanc de Blancs that is 100% Chardonnay and aged on its lees for 54 months. Giftable white wines are the Chardonnay from New Zealand, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre in Loire. For big spenders, the most giftable red wine is the Amarone, which consists of 50% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 20% Corvinone, and 10% other permitted varieties. Also from Italy is the Brunello di Montalcino, which is 100% Sangiovese, while the Saint-Estèphe from Bordeaux is composed of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. From Spain, the Rioja is a 90/10 blend of Tempranillo and Graciano, while the Ribera del Duero is 100% Tempranillo. On the local front, there is a fine Pinot Noir from the Twenty Mile Bench in Niagara.

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Estate Blanc de Blancs 2017 (93+ pts)Château Beau-Site 2018 (93 pts)

Poggio Landi Brunello di Montalcino 2019 (93 pts)Tawse Cherry Avenue Pinot Noir 2022 (92 pts)

Familia Torres Pago del Cielo Celeste Crianza 2020 (89 pts)

From the mini-thematic on Niagara Sparkling Wines, two of the four wines featured are among my recommended buys. First up is the 2020 Sparkling, which is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Pinot Noir, while the second recommended buy is the 2022 Brut Rosé Sparkling, which is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir.

Red wine recommendations from the main release begin in Italy and the Wine of the Month - the Crognolo Super Tuscan, which is a 95/5 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. Also from Italy, the Etna Rosso is mainly Nerello Mascalese and a small amount of Nerello Cappuccio, while the Chianti Classico is Sangiovese, and the wine from Abruzzo is crafted with Montepulciano. Australia also shows strongly in this release with a quartet of reds - the single varietal wines are a Shiraz, a Grenache, and a Cabernet Sauvignon, while the blend is a GSM composed of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvèdre. There are a couple of blends from France, with the Plan de Dieu composed of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Mourvèdre, while the Côtes de Gascogne from Southwest France is 50/50 Tannat and Merlot. Other blends include the Carmenère (which has 5% Petit Verdot) from Chile, and the Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot blend from South Africa. Other wines that may not be obvious which varietals they are crafted from are the Naoussa from Greece, which is 100% Xinomavro, and the Blaufränkisch from Austria.

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2022 (91+ pts)Umani Ronchi Podere Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2023 (89 pts)

Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2023 (91+ pts)Heirloom Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (90+ pts)

Angove Family Crest Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2022 (89 pts)

Rémy Ferbras Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2023 (90+ pts)Maison Fontan Tattoo T&M Rouge 2022 (88 pts)

Pérez Cruz Limited Edition Carmenère 2023 (89 pts)Cape Pastoral Organic Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2023 (88+ pts)

Boutari Naoussa Red 2022 (90+ pts)Esterházy Estoras Blaufränkisch 2021 (89 pts)

All of my top white wine picks from the main release are mono-varietal wines. We'll begin on the national front with a lovely dry Riesling from British Columbia, followed by a medium-sweet Riesling from Niagara. From Australia, there is an excellent Sémillon from the Barossa Valley, as well as a lovely Viognier from Eden Valley. Other fine wines include the Malagouzia from Greece, and a Grüner Veltliner from Austria. There's also a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and a Chardonnay from Argentina.

Torbreck Woodcutter's Semillon 2024 (92 pts)Esterházy Estoras Grüner Veltliner 2024 (91 pts)

Alpha Estate Turtles Single Vineyard Malagouzia 2024 (91+ pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • CAPE PASTORAL ORGANIC CABERNET SAUVIGNON/ MERLOT 2023 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#36978) (XD) - $13.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • UMANI RONCHI PODERE MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2023 - DOC, Italy (#46567) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
  • RÉMY FERBRAS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2023 - AOP, France (#538009) (XD) - $17.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • MAISON FONTAN TATTOO T&M ROUGE 2022 - IGP Côtes de Gascogne, Southwest, France (#43894) (D) - $18.95  88 pts  wine review
  • ESTERHÁZY ESTORAS BLAUFRÄNKISCH 2021 - Qualitätswein, DAC Leithaberg, Austria (#45354) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • PÉREZ CRUZ LIMITED EDITION CARMENÈRE 2023 - Sustainable, DO Valle del Maipo Andes, Chile (#670539) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • BOUTARI NAOUSSA RED 2022 - PDO Naoussa, Macedonia, Greece (#23218) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review

  • FAMILIA TORRES PAGO DEL CIELO CELESTE CRIANZA 2020 - Toronto Skyline Limited Edition, DO Ribera del Duero, Spain (#44753) (XD) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review
  • YALUMBA SAMUEL'S COLLECTION BUSH VINE GRENACHE 2023 - Barossa, South Australia (#531228) (XD) - $21.95
  • ANGOVE FAMILY CREST GRENACHE SHIRAZ MOURVÈDRE 2022 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#534750) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
  • HEIRLOOM COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#493577) (XD) - $22.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • TORNATORE ETNA ROSSO 2022 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#487090) (XD) - $24.95
  • IL MOLINO DI GRACE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2023 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#85209) (XD) - $24.95
  • UNDURRAGA TERROIR HUNTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Alto Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Chile (#630350) (XD) - $27.95
  • TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S SHIRAZ 2023 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#927533) (XD) - $29.95  91+ pts  wine review

  • ESCARPMENT NOIR PINOT NOIR 2023 - Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand (#41810) (XD) - $29.95  92+ pts  wine review
  • TENUTA SETTE PONTI CROGNOLO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#727636) (XD) - $34.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • COTO DE IMAZ GRAN RESERVA 2018 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#976811) (XD) - $34.95
  • REDSTONE ESTATE SYRAH 2020 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#437376) (XD) - $40.95  91 pts  wine review
  • TAWSE CHERRY AVENUE PINOT NOIR 2022 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#398347) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
  • POGGIO LANDI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573980) (XD) - $49.95  93 pts  wine review
  • CHÂTEAU BEAU-SITE 2018 - AOC Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France (#647933) (XD) - $52.95  93 pts  wine review
  • LE RAGOSE RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2013 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#32699) (XD) - $101.95
Escarpment Noir Pinot Noir 2023 (92+ pts)Redstone Estate Syrah 2020 (91 pts)

White Wine:

  • FOGOLAR HUGHES VINEYARD RIESLING 2022 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#30664) (M) - $19.95
  • ZUCCARDI MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2023 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#46400) (XD) - $19.95
  • BELLINGHAM THE OLD ORCHARDS CHENIN BLANC 2024 - WO Coastal Region, South Africa (#484055) (XD) - $19.95
  • ALPHA ESTATE TURTLES SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUZIA 2024 - Vegan, PGI Florina, Greece (#32161) (XD) - $19.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • YALUMBA VIOGNIER 2022 - Vegan, Sustainable, Eden Valley, South Australia (#954644) (XD) - $21.95
  • CLOS HENRI ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#927186) (XD) - $24.95
  • ESTERHÁZY ESTORAS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 - DAC Leithaberg, Austria (#40882) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
  • TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S SEMILLON 2024 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#927541) (XD) - $29.95  92 pts  wine review
  • CULMINA DECORA RIESLING 2021 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#46638) (XD) - $36.95
  • HUBERT BROCHARD SANCERRE 2023 - AOC, Loire, France (#42444) (XD) - $39.95
  • CLOUDY BAY CHARDONNAY 2023 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#359513) (XD) - $50.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • KEW TRADITION SPARKLING 2020 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#491092) (XD) - $32.95
  • WESTCOTT BRILLIANT ROSÉ SPARKLING 2022 - Traditional Method, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#38733) (XD) - $40.00
  • HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE CARTE BLANCHE ESTATE BLANC DE BLANCS 2017 - Sustainable, Traditional Method, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#315200) (XD) - $49.95  93+ pts  wine review

Fortified Wine:

  • TORO ALBALÁ POLEY PEDRO XIMÉNEZ DULCE MONTILLA-MORILES 2019 - DO, Spain (#46830, 500 mL) (S) - $29.95

Dessert Wine:

  • INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATE RIESLING ICEWINE 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#558288, 375 mL) (S) - $89.95


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  • Date publishedSaturday, November 1, 2025

Ken Forrester Sparklehorse Cap Classique Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2022 and Pat's Garden Reserve 2020 (South Africa) - Wine Reviews

wine reviews are a pair of excellent wines from one of my favourite South African wine producers - Ken Forrester Wines. Both of these terrific wines arrived at the LCBO recently, with the red wine making its debut at the LCBO in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, while the sparkling wine landed in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Ken Forrester Sparklehorse Cap Classique Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2022 (91+ pts) and Pat's Garden Reserve 2020 (91 pts)

Ken Forrester Wines was established in 1993 by Ken Forrester and his wife, Teresa, after they acquired at a public auction a vacant and derelict farm and homestead that was situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, in the heart of Stellenbosch, South Africa's premier wine growing region. The site is one of the oldest farms in the Cape, with a long history that dates back to 1689, and the first vines were planted in 1694. The farm changed hands a number of times over the years, eventually falling on hard times in the early 1990s and finding itself up for auction.

The vision at Ken Forrester Wines is for sustainable farming - to improve the lot of their employees by growing their own business, and thereby providing maximum job opportunities in a market that is desperate for support. In the vineyard, Ken Forrester farms sustainably without the use of herbicides and pesticides. They also till the soil, prune, thin bunches and leaves, and harvest by hand. With this additional employment, they hope that it goes some way to improving the quality of life in their community, and they know that if every community looked after their own, no one would go wanting. This is their proposal, and consequently, each bottle is a victory and represents a small change – for the better – in someone's life. Additionally, Ken Forrester Wines are certified for Integrity & Sustainability by the South African Wine and Spirit Board.

At Ken Forrester Wines, the winemaking philosophy is based on managing their vineyards in a sustainable manner, along with a workplace environment and work ethic that should be a shining light in the industry. They have several ranges of wines that are handcrafted and individually made to complement a wide variety of cuisines and provide excellent value. The Pat's Garden is part of their Reserve Wine Range, where the team at Ken Forrester is solely responsible for the cultivation of the vines and selection of the fruit, most of which come from their family property in Stellenbosch, just 5 kilometres from the cool Atlantic and in the sheltered lee of the majestic Helderberg Mountain. The sparkling wine is part of Ken Forrester's Cellar Exclusives Range - a collection of special and limited parcels of wines.

An interesting note about the red wine is that while it used to be known as "Pat's Garden Merlot", it was always blended with 8–12% Cabernet Franc. The wine laws in South Africa allow for wines to be labelled as a single varietal wine so long as the blend does not exceed 15% of other varieties. The team at Ken Forrester began doing some experimentation by blending the 4 traditional Bordeaux varieties and with the 2018 vintage they launched the Pat's Garden Reserve wine.

The 2020 growing season in South Africa featured moderate to warm growing conditions, which continued into late autumn, while the 2022 vintage was one of the wettest and coldest in recent memory. There was a sudden heat spike just before harvest in 2022, but fall was generally cool and moderate. Both vintages were rated excellent, so let's see how this 2020 red and 2022 sparkling wine from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

KEN FORRESTER SPARKLEHORSE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING CHENIN BLANC 2022 - Traditional Method, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#32030) (D) - $29.95
Aged on its lees for 20 months, the elegantly fragrant, medium-high intensity nose delivers lovely aromas of autolytic, toasty, leesy, biscuit, and honey characters surrounding a core of lemon citrus and golden apple. It has a finely beaded mousse and racy, gently tangy acidity on the medium+ bodied palate with delicious autolytic, biscuit, toasty, lemon citrus, and apple flavours, plus touches of honey in a fairly dry profile. Juicy on the mid-palate, while the long finish is savoury with leesy mineral notes. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Ken Forrester Sparklehorse Cap Classique Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2022 (91+ pts)

KEN FORRESTER PAT'S GARDEN RESERVE 2020 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#45169) (XD) - $19.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 44% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is well-balanced with complex aromas of ripe red & black fruits, currant, raspberry, blackberry, cassis, oak spice, cocoa, savoury wet earth, and dried herbs with touches of leafy green herb notes. The medium-full bodied palate is dry and slightly chewy with more ripe red & black fruits, currant, cassis, raspberry, blackberry, oak spice, savoury wet earth, cocoa, and dried herb flavours. Acids are juicy and succulent, while the elegant tannins are smooth, refined, and gently grippy on the back palate. Impeccably balanced throughout with red & black fruits mingling with savoury wet earth, oak spice, and smoky minerals on the long finish. Has the stuffing to age gracefully for at least another 5 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Ken Forrester Pat's Garden Reserve 2020 (91 pts)

One other wine by Ken Forrester is widely available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedFriday, October 24, 2025

Ackerman Bulle Royale Crémant de Loire Brut Sparkling (France) - Wine Review

sparkling wine review is a delicious traditional method sparkling wine from Loire that made its debut at the LCBO in last month's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Maison Ackerman, a winery whose roots began as a skilled grain and wine merchant in 1811. The initial business was established by Jean‑Baptiste Ackerman, of Belgian origin, and Jean Pierre Apollinaire Laurance-Olivier, in Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent, near Saumur in the Loire Valley. In the 1830s, Jean‑Baptiste began experimenting with méthode traditionnelle (i.e., traditional method sparkling wine) and eventually became one of Loire's sparkling wine pioneers.

The troglodyte limestone cellars in Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent, on the banks of the Thouet, where the small river meets the Loire, were optimal for storing and crafting his sparkling wines because they have a cool and constant temperature, low light, and a large storage capacity. From the middle of the 19th century onwards, the number of sparkling wine houses multiplied and settled on either side of the Ackerman-Laurance cellars. These cellars were a source of new economic activity in Saumur, as the resulting sparkling wines were exported all over the world.

Today, these cellars are a key element of the natural and industrial landscape of the Saumur region of the Loire, which is a World Heritage Site. While these cellars are no longer the place where their wines are produced, they remain the soul of the company. Ackerman is an historic wine house with a rich heritage, and its longevity and prosperity are based on its winegrowers, its employees, and its customers.

With core values focused on elegance, diversity, and audacity, Ackerman is highly involved in the vineyard from pruning through to harvesting, while a research & development centre is at the very heart of the vineyard. They also have a spirit of innovation and employ the latest in winemaking and bottling technologies. Ackerman is also committed to limiting their impact on the environment and sustainable development. Their vineyards are HVE (High Environmental Value) certified, while also making their winegrowers and partners aware of alternative and eco-responsible practices, as well as protecting biodiversity.

This particular sparkling wine is from Maison Ackerman's Bulle Royale range, which is inspired by the "Cuvée de l'Aiglon" that was created by Maurice Rémy in 1956 to revive the trade of fine sparkling wines from Saumur. This Crémant de Loire was crafted in the traditional method using 70% Chenin, 15% Chardonnay, and 15% Cabernet Franc grapes that were grown in Saumurois soils and terroirs. The region is primarily known for its chalky and porous soil, which allows the roots of the vines to go deep into the soil in search of water, while the climate is Oceanic with low rainfall. After hand-harvesting the grapes at optimal maturity, the grapes were brought to their cellars in Vaudelnay. Each grape variety was vinified separately, gently whole-cluster pressed, then blended at the end of winter. It was aged on its lees for 18 to 25 months. For this cuvée, they assembled the most fruity and expressive Chenin Blanc from clayey terroirs with very ripe and concentrated Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc from limestone plots. Let's see how this Crémant de Loire Brut sparkling wine is tasting tonight...

Ackerman Bulle Royale Crémant de Loire Brut Sparkling (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

ACKERMAN BULLE ROYALE CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional Method, AOP, Loire, France (#42057) (D) - $20.95
Blend of 70% Chenin, 15% Chardonnay, and 15% Cabernet Franc. The delicate, medium+ intensity nose delivers lemon citrus, acacia floral, and green apple aromas nuanced with white peach, melon, toasty and biscuit notes. The light-to-mid-weighted palate is crisp and lively with energetic acidity. Dry on the flavour profile with toasty, leesy, biscuit, lemon peel, citrus, green apple, and acacia floral flavours, plus touches of melon and white peach, with a kiss of underlying sweetness. The juicy mid-palate leads to savoury, leesy minerals, and touches of stone fruits on the long, crisp finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Maison Ackerman can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSunday, July 13, 2025

Cantine Povero Campo del Palio Moscato d'Asti 2023 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

wine review is a lovely, sweet, semi-sparkling (or frizzante) wine with a lower alcohol content of 5.5% alcohol by volume (abv) from Piedmont. Sustainable and vegan-friendly, this bubbly arrived at the LCBO a few weeks ago in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on .

It is produced by Cantine Povero, a winery with roots going back nearly 200 years to 1837 on the lands of Roero, Monferrato, and Langhe, in the heart of Piedmont, Italy. Modern winegrowing entered the picture in 1948, when Bartolomeo Povero (aka Grandfather Tumlin) inherited a vineyard and increased his production by planting his first vineyard. Tumlin felt a strong emotional bond towards his land and was proud to continue the tradition of his ancestors, with the ancient wisdom passed down through the generations.

An excellent vintage in 1964 inspired brothers Giovanni and Michelino Povero, the sons of Tumlin, to produce their first branded bottles of Povero wines, which in turn resulted in expanded sales across Piedmont. In 1976, the brothers acquired their current headquarters at the foot of a medieval castle in the hamlet of San Matteo, within the commune of Cisterna d'Asti, and planted a further 10 hectares of vineyards. In 1987, the third generation of the Povero family expanded the family's business as the sons of Giovanni - Luca, Daniele, and Alessio - established Tenuta Fratelli Povero and produced wines from the oldest vineyards in Roero.

In 1998, the winery was renovated and modernized, along with a focus on organic farming and sustainability, as they installed a photovoltaic system in 2010 to allow the facility to use only renewable energy during the daytime. In 2019, Cantine Povero obtained organic certification for all of their vineyards. A year later, the third and fourth generations of the Povero family began leading the future of the winery with a dedication to both tradition and innovation.

Today, Cantine Povero's philosophy is to carry on the ancient wisdom handed down generation to generation, while innovating in a sustainable approach to agriculture. With a strong commitment to the environment, beginning with Nonno Tumlin and through each generation, they have learned to listen to the seasons and observe with love the branches, bunches, and leaves, and to confidently await the reward for their efforts. They practice organic cultivation without the use of any chemicals, and minimize their use of any treatments by using their innovative weather station to monitor humidity, rainfall, and temperature. Furthermore, they are practicing regenerative agriculture and encourage a diversified and harmonic ecosystem.

This frizzante is crafted with 100% Moscato that was grown in the Asti region of Piedmont. The vines are planted in sandy and clayey soil, and cultivated using the espalier system with Guyot pruning. The grapes were manually harvested, destemmed, and then cooled to 10–12°C before being gently pressed. It was fermented at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks.

From a somewhat tough vintage where conditions were seldom steady, let's see how this 2023 Moscato d'Asti from Italy is tasting tonight...

Cantine Povero Campo del Palio Moscato d'Asti 2023 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

CANTINE POVERO CAMPO DEL PALIO MOSCATO D'ASTI 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#477869) (S) - $16.95
Fresh, medium+ intensity aromas of peach, candied citrus, spring flowers, melon, and Flintstones vitamins, with a twist of orange. Crafted in a frizzante style, the fairly light-weighted palate is clean and refreshing with bright acidity and gentle bubbles lifting the peach, candied citrus, orange, melon, and floral notes in a gently sweet flavour profile. A touch sticky on the finish with well-balanced peach, melon, and candied citrus notes tapering to savoury and leesy notes on the long-lasting finish. Versatile and widely appealing for the patio, dinner table, or with dessert. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Cantine Povero can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, June 25, 2025

The Quarterly Pour with Arterra Wines Canada (Apr. 2025)

At the end of , Arterra Wines Canada held their quarterly tasting for the media at their head office in Mississauga, Ontario. This was my first "The Quarterly Pour" tasting, and it featured a curated lineup of estate-driven and milestone wines, along with a few lifestyle-led selections from their Better for You portfolio. All the wines were crafted using grapes from Ontario. The tasting was broken down into 4 categories:

  • Better for You Selection - zero-sugar, low- and no-alcohol wines
  • LCBO VINTAGES Release Wines
  • Surprise Pours - A special preview of wines that were just recently released or will be available in the near future
  • Inniskillin 50th Anniversary Spotlight

While I didn't taste everything in the Better for You Selection, there were a couple of wines that stood out, and they are in the last group in the list below.

I expected the quality of the LCBO VINTAGES Release Wines (the first three wines in the list below) to be very good, and was really impressed with the Chardonnay as it had improved somewhat significantly since I first tasted the wine last year. The Jackson-Triggs wines were all delicious, high-quality, and premium wines with a price to match.

The surprise of the tasting were the three Inniskillin Reserve wines, especially the Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay, as they offered a great quality-to-price ratio and just arrived at the LCBO last month as widely-available General List wines with special pricing to celebrate Inniskillin's 50th Anniversary.

Pretty much all the wines listed below (except the previews) are readily available through one or more of their retail sales channels - LCBO, Great Estates Niagara, or Wine Rack.


  • LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20455) (XD) - $30.00  91+ pts
  • KEW VINEYARDS MARSANNE 2020 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $19.95  91+ pts
  • KEW ROSALIE ROSÉ SPARKLING 2019 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#43594) (XD) - $32.95  90+ pts
Kew Vineyards Wines

Le Clos Jordanne Wines

  • JACKSON-TRIGGS GRAND RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#25368) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts
  • JACKSON-TRIGGS GRAND RESERVE RED MERITAGE 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $29.22  91 pts  wine review
  • JACKSON-TRIGGS GRAND RESERVE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2024 (exclusive preview)  91 pts
  • DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE CRÉMANT (2nd blend preview)  91+ pts
Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Wines

  • INNISKILLIN RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#17290) (XD) -$19.95  91 pts
  • INNISKILLIN RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#105379) (XD) - $19.95  91 pts
  • INNISKILLIN RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $22.79  90+ pts
  • INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATE CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#149963, 200 mL) (S) - $59.95  92+ pts  wine review
Inniskillin Wines

  • SAINTLY THE GOOD SAUVIGNON BLANC - VQA Ontario, Canada (#32183) (XD) - $19.95
  • BASK CHARDONNAY - Canada (#39912) (XD) - $13.95
Better For You Selection


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