I have long wrestled with whether or not to score my wines. I haven’t scored my wines up til now because frankly I haven’t felt the need to do so. I have had a hard time deciding what system to use because wine essentially falls into two categories for me...
2012 Flamboyant Red – $17.95 – Loaded with bright red fruit and tannin on the finish that isn’t overbearing. This bottle isn’t just a flashy label… but let’s face it the artwork on both the White and the Red are fantastic. This Red blend is well worth the price of...
I was recently asked by a friend what Sparkling wine should I get for New Years… I have a sixty dollar budget. The great news about a sixty dollar budget is there are A LOT of options on what you can pick up. Champagne can get quite expensive. A bottle...
Coming from the killer 2012 vintage this trio of reserve wines from Reif are all worth picking up. These are the kinds of wines that need a good hour or two in a decanter or a few years on the wine rack to really unlock the awesomeness in the bottles....
The Five Minute Wine Book by Tony Aspler – The fact that the first story in this collection of writings describes a fishing trip in Northern Saskatchewan will explain to everyone why I got hooked on the book immediately (in case you didn’t know I am originally from Regina, and...
In the fall I had a chance to attend a dinner where the revamped portfolio for Colio was released. I have been very pleased with what I’ve tasted so far from the Bricklayer’s wines that have made it through the LCBO so far (https://tmblr.co/ZZ_vXw1GQYrtT) but when I had to a...
2013 The Empress Chardonnay – LCBO 346791 – $12.75 – This is sunshine in a bottle. Even though this wine only has 9 g/l sugar (this is very dry) you will share that this is off dry. Fruit flavours are bright and intense with Apple, Peach and Lemon. The finish on...
Every year I look forward to the next vintage of the Coyote’s Run Pinot Noir from their Black Paw and Red Paw vineyards. They set the benchmark for consistency and quality as far as affordable Pinot Noir is concerned in Niagara. I find the question isn’t whether or not these...
I recently had the chance to check out some Chilean wines at a dinner at Wildfire Steak House downtown. The highlight of the evening was getting a chance to experience a detailed tour of the terroir found in the Amaral vineyards. I had the opportunity to taste the Sauvignon Blanc...
Angel’s Gate are continuing a makeover that you may have already noticed with the Handsome Brut that is currently available in the LCBO but you will also notice a couple of new bottles called Rage and Revenge. Easy drinking and accessible these fun bottles will make a great addition to...
2011 Kacaba Cabernet Sauvignon – $24.95 – The great thing about 2011 (and 2013) are that the red wines being released from these vintages are much more approachable than the big reds that have been released from 2010 and 2012, two of the best vintages EVER in Ontario. What can...
2012 AJ Lepp Reserve Merlot – Winery Only (https://www.peninsularidge.com) – $19.95 – This has become a perennial favorite of mine and definitely did not disappoint. Very smooth and loaded with ripe flavours of Raspberry and Cherry. The finish has hints of Mocha and Dark Chocolate and is very smooth. This...
