Category: Uncategorized


  • September 7, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Ontario

    Here’s my top wine picks from the September 7, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. As is always the case, the first release of September features the fabulous wines from Ontario. It is a very good release with just over 100 wines, and all are readily available across the province. We begin with the theme…

  • An in-depth 3 year journey towards RV

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  • River Stone Premium 2020 Reds plus ’22 Malbec

    Reading Time: 4 minutes Four more terrific wines from River Stone Winery. Ted continues to hit the BC Reds out of the park! River Stone Merlot 2020 ($30.90) The grapes for this single vineyard wine were grown in the estate River Rock Vineyard. The 2020 Merlot was fermented in stainless steel tanks (2200, 2850, and…

  • A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 941: Liebling & Fogolar Wines and Centenary Sparkler

    Liebling Wines Riesling 2023 (Lingard Vineyard, St. David’s Bench, Niagara) Pale straw in colour; lime zest nose with light floral note; light-bodies, dry, grapefruit and lemon flavours. Fresh and lively on the palate. Drink now or hold 1–2 years. The bold acidity will preserve it. (89) Liebling Wines Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Andrews Vineyard, Four Mile…

  • Top Shelf Okanagan Red Wines

    Reading Time: 3 minutes The Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada is known for producing some exceptional red wines. Here is a summary of some of the best Okanagan red wines: Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Syrah: This award-winning wine is known for its rich and complex flavours of dark fruit, pepper, and smoky oak. It…

  • Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose Rosé 2023 (Languedoc) – Wine Review

    Tonight’s rosé wine review is a delicious, vegan-friendly dry rosé wine from Languedoc that arrived at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the August 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It is produced by Bijou Wines, a wine producer based in the heart of the South of France. Originally established in the Languedoc…

  • King and Vic in a unique position on Niagara’s Twenty Mile Bench

    By Rick VanSickle At the King and Victoria Winery on Niagara’s Twenty Mile Bench, it’s all about a holistic approach to crafting small lot wines from their own vineyards. There’s a layer of security when you grow your own grapes, make your own wine and have dedicated buyers for the rest of grapes. Such is…

  • Strategies for BC’s 2024 vintage

    Photo: The vineyard at Blasted Church Vineyards It is interesting to read how different wineries in the Okanagan are approaching the 2024 vintage, given the almost total lack of local grapes, due to January’s killer freeze. In July, the provincial regulators decreed that the land-based wineries could import grapes or juice this fall and make…

  • Moraine Winery for Premium Pinot Noir

    Reading Time: 2 minutes Moraine Pinot Noir with Cedar Plank Wild Sockeye Salmon Moraine Winery, located in the Naramata Bench of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, is best known for producing high-quality, award-winning wines, particularly Pinot Noir, Merlot, and white wines like Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. The winery emphasizes a sustainable and terroir-driven approach, allowing the…

  • Ontario wines shine at the LCBO amid uncertainty on other fronts

    By Rick VanSickle It’s the most magical time of the year in Ontario Wine Country — in more ways than one! Note, also in this report: Our picks from the big Ontario wine release at Vintages stores Saturday, including, Black Bank Hill, Closson Chase, Marynissen, Flat Rock Cellars, Hidden Bench, Domaine Le Clos Jordanne, Bachelder…