13th Street has recently finished building a new addition to their facility. I was shocked to see how quickly the new addition had been built. I usually make a few pilgrimages to the barn to grab some buttertarts or stock up on Saskatoon jam (one of the few places in...
2016 Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay – Vintages 616466 – $29.95 – ****+ – This is one of the first wines I have had an opportunity to sample what the very warm 2016 summer has to offer from Niagara, and I was not disappointed. Aromas of vanilla and...
I recently had a chance to speak with Barb DiGiulio of Newstalk 1010 about evidence of some very old wine being made. I confessed that old wines don’t really do it for me. I’ll admit that I find it interesting seeing how wines evolve and change with time. These are...
It has been a very exciting couple of years for bubbles from Prince Edward County. This year Hinterland released a new “top end” sparkling called Sacrament. Down in the south of the County stopping by Lighthall is essential when Culmination, a fantastic Blanc de Blancs is available. How could you...
When I was approached to try out the Barley Wine from Mill Street I was intrigued. What makes this a wine? Why is it called wine? What’s going on here? When you pick up your bottle at the LCBO it will come in a very nice box. But you will...
This is not another turkey column… and it’s not “not another turkey column”. The video posted by Rick VanSickle is still one of my favorite commentaries on what to pair with Turkey. Let’s face it, Rick makes some great points. The most exciting herb or spice that sees most of...
Everyone these days seems to be enamoured with Prince Edward County. There is some fantastic, gritty winemaking taking place to the east of Toronto. There are a lot of reasons to pay attention to the County. But there is a renaissance taking place in Niagara. It started when Two Sisters...
2016 Chateau des Charmes Barrel Fermented Chardonnay – LCBO 81653 – $14.95 – **** – This wine continues to over-deliver on price and lead the way for what is possible for entry level Chardonnay from Ontario. The wines that take place in the general list are extremely important – these...
2015 Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – $30.95 – Vintages 553321 – **** – This is a great example of BC Cabernet Sauvignon with nice rich black fruit layered over smoke. The story of this wine is one of structure and approachability. This wine is drinking great right now, with...
2015 Trail Estate Unfiltered Chardonnay – $32.00 – ****+ – This Chardonnay is truly a show stopper, but not for the faint of heart. There is a little more Oak in this bottle than what we have come to expect from wineries in Ontario but it’s still well integrated. While...
From Family Wine Merchants there is a pair of exceptional Pinot Noirs from the United States available later this month. I am generally leery of Californian Pinot Noir – let’s face it, the style is usually overcooked and drinks more like Cabernet – but I am finding more bottles that...
Here is a look at a couple bottles of Chardonnay that I can only describe as highly anticipated. Both Back 10 Cellars and Featherstone work with Canadian Oak barrels and have set a benchmark for consistency and quality. Every incarnation of this wine speaks to the vintage from which it...
