Aug. 16 LCBO Wine Picks: Southern Belles + Malbec

The next Vintages release will be in LCBO outlets across Ontario on Saturday, August 16th. The major theme of this release highlights wines from the South of France, a region frequently referred to as Midi or Languedoc, while the second theme focuses on Argentina's signature grape - Malbec. I was surprised to see only 12 wines listed in the South of France feature as it's...

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Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Petit Verdot 2011 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's organic red wine is a lovely Petit Verdot that I heard was specially crafted for the LCBO and was purchased from the September 14, 2013 Vintages release. As it's completely sold out, I wouldn't be surprised to see it show up in Vintages again later this year. If you have this bottle, you may want to open it soon. EMILIANA NOVAS GRAN RESERVA PETIT VERDOT 2011 - Colchagua...

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Ice House Slushies Cabernet Sauvignon (Ontario) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is this delicious dessert wine made by The Ice House Winery, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake. I picked up this bottle last January during the Icewine Festival. It's worth noting even though it is a sweet, dessert wine, it is not VQA, nor is it labelled as Icewine. Regardless, those who prefer sweet wines will enjoy this one. ICE HOUSE SLUSHIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON...

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Hauller Muenchberg Riesling 2011 (Alsace) - Wine Review

Purchased this delicious Grand Cru from a Vintages release last November and opened it last night to celebrate my daughter's 1st birthday. Amazingly, there are still a few bottles kicking around GTA LCBO outlets - get it if you enjoy sweeter wine. HAULLER MUENCHBERG RIESLING 2011 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, France (#360370) (D) - $19.95 Tasting Note: Apple, mineral and melon...

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Aug. 2 LCBO Wine Picks: California + Alsace + Loire

The next LCBO Vintages release will be on shelves across Ontario this Saturday, August 2nd. The major theme of this release is on top wines from California, with an emphasis on Cabs, Zins and Chards. There are two minor themes - one which focuses on white wines from Loire and Alsace, while the second focuses on mostly disappointing Greek wines. Just one of the 18 wines...

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Gallo Family Laguna Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 (Sonoma) - Wine Review

Purchased this gorgeous cool-climate Chardonnay from an LCBO Vintages release last August that highlighted a bunch of wines that were scored 90 pts or higher by some of the more famous wine critics. It was opened last night due to a closing drinking window. For those that prefer very oakey Chardonnays, this is one not to be missed, as you will see from my wine review below....

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Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé 2013 (Midi) - Wine Review

Opened this lovely, dry rosé wine Sunday night. The packaging on this wine is well-above average as it includes an indented rose design on the bottom of the bottle and a reusable glass cork. I hope you purchased this when I recommended it back in May, as it's virtually sold out in LCBO Vintages now. GÉRARD BERTRAND CÔTE DES ROSES ROSÉ 2013 - AP Languedoc, Midi, France (#373985)...

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