Wine Review – Burger Blend from 13th Street

This pair of wines from the general list of the LCBO are a nice reminder that delicious Ontario wine doesn’t need to be expensive.

2016 13th Street White Burger Blend (Pinot Grigio/Riesling) – LCBO 469304 – $14.95 – ***1/2+ – Simply put, the definition of a patio sipper. This is off-dry and it is met with nice acidity. This does open up with flavours of apple and melon on the mid palate. The acidity doesn’t strike the palate with sharpness that you might expect from a riesling from Niagara… but it enters enough to keep the sweetness from overpowering the finish. A great match to fried or grilled chicken or seafood for the summer. And a great reminder that solid Ontario wine doesn’t have to be expensive.

2016 13th Street Red Burger Blend (Gamay Noir/Pinot Noir) – LCBO 419945 – $14.95 – ***1/2 – This is a solid bottle for simple barbeque and a nice reminder that not every bottle of good VQA wine needs to be so (expletive) serious. This has a hint of residual sugar that helps amplify the fruit and makes this juicy strawberry, dark cherry and plum. This doesn’t belong in a cellar nor was it intended to spend time in one. Pair with burgers (obviously) but also with pizza or sauce slathered ribs. Drink with a little caution as the residual sugar will start to creep up as you get further into the bottle. Good VQA wine doesn’t need to be expensive or snobby. Cheers.