VINTAGES Wine Picks & LCBO Wine Reviews

Madison Park Breakfast Gin Iced Tea (Québec) - Review

2026-07-29T17:26:28.734-04:00

Tonight's ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail beverage landed at the LCBO as a brand-new arrival a couple of months ago and is currently on promotion, offering 20 bonus Aeroplan points until August 15th.

It is produced by 1769 Distillery, a family-owned and -operated distillery that was established in 2014 by the husband-and-wife team of Andrew Mikus and Maureen David. This urban distillery is located in the historic Seagram distillery site in the LaSalle borough of Montreal and was the city's first modern craft distillery. The "1769" in the name of the distillery commemorates the year of the first recorded commercial distillery in Canada, which was established in Québec City. As Montreal’s top-rated distillery, 1769 Distillery is a premier destination for award-winning products in Québec and is recognized as one of the best grain to bottle distilleries Montreal has to offer.

1769 Distillery handcrafts all of their products, and one of their newest creations is this Madison Park Breakfast Gin Iced Tea – a non-carbonated, ready-to-drink cocktail that was handcrafted using Madison Park® Breakfast Gin® as its spirit base. This ready-to-drink cocktail is a balanced blend of their artisanal black tea-infused bergamot gin that is combined with just the right amount of lemon and cane sugar, making it a naturally flavoured gin-based iced tea. It is crafted with 5.5% alc./vol., packaged in 355 mL cans, and is crafted to be savoured all year round. Let's see how this Madison Park Breakfast Gin Iced Tea from Québec is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MADISON PARK BREAKFAST GIN ICED TEA - Québec, Canada (#48791) - $3.50 LTO 20 bonus Aeroplan points until August 15
Smells exactly like iced tea with hints of lemon citrus. On the palate it has a pleasing, tea-like texture and gently sweet lemon citrus and tea flavours, along with subtle botanical herbal notes on the mid-palate. Savoury tea notes linger on the crisp, refreshing, and dry finish. Goes down very easy and keeps you coming back sip after sip. Recommended buy for iced tea lovers!

The Madison Park Breakfast Gin is readily available at the LCBO (and SAQ), while the full range of Madison Park beverages can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

Boutari Assyrtiko 2025 (Greece) - Wine Review

2026-07-27T17:31:10.918-04:00

I enjoyed the 2023 Boutari The Authentic Assyrtiko nearly a year ago, and while tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of the same wine, it does come to us with slightly simplified branding by removing "The Authentic" from the label. Nevertheless, this is a lovely white wine that arrived at the LCBO just over a week ago in the July 18 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the historic, renowned, and well-respected Boutari wine company that was established in 1879 by Ioannis Boutaris in Naoussa, Macedonia, in Northern Greece. As one of Greece's most influential and important wineries, Ioannis built Naoussa's first privately-owned winery and retail cellar in 1906, while also launching the production of the first Greek red wine that was bottled under the now-renowned "Naoussa Boutari" label.

Boutari was passed down along family lines from father to son with Stelios Boutaris, son of Ioannis, taking over the reins in the mid-1930s and laying the foundation of the wine company for years to come. In 1968, Giannis and Konstantinos Boutaris, the two sons of Stelios, took over the winery and ventured into vine growing by purchasing a vineyard in Imathia, in Central Macedonia of Northern Greece, and took the family business to new heights, including building their new state-of-the-art winery in 1978 in Stenimachos, Naoussa, a facility that would become their flagship winery as a centre for production, bottling, and ageing.

During the 1980s, Boutari continued to grow and expand while highlighting Greece's various unique wine regions and vine-growing qualities, along with experimenting and cultivating both Greek and international varieties to create a series of experimental wines, some of which remain in the current portfolio. In 2022, a new chapter in the story of Boutari wineries began as they were acquired by holding company Hellenic Wineries, with Elias and Thomas Georgiadis as key investors. While no longer family-owned, the investor group has promised to preserve the heritage and further develop the Boutari name, while also continuing the long tradition of Boutari wineries.

Like the last vintage I tasted, this Assyrtiko is from Boutari's "Varieties" range, which focuses on Greek and international varietal wines from Greece's main wine producing regions and is crafted with passion and love. To craft this wine, the Assyrtiko grapes were selected from the mountainous regions of Florina and Pieria, in Macedonia of Northern Greece. A combination of both berry testing and analytical data determined the time of harvest in each vineyard, while all harvesting took place during the lowest possible temperatures of the day. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were strictly sorted manually, then underwent alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures using selected yeast strains. Upon completing fermentation, the wine remained in tank for aging by stirring its fine lees until it was bottled.

The growing season in Northern Greece in 2025 was a return to relative normality after a couple of tough harvests marked by major weather events. In 2025, the conditions were generally typical and featured no extreme weather phenomena, with June and July being notably hot and dry, while a diurnal temperature drop of 10°C nightly helped preserve acidity. Cold and rainy conditions arrived at the appropriate time, while heat during the day and cold nights ensured that the grapes developed full aromatics and phenolic ripeness. From a very good to excellent vintage, let's see how this 2025 Assyrtiko from Macedonia in Northern Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BOUTARI ASSYRTIKO 2025 - PGI Macedonia, Greece (#44246) (XD) - $23.95
Fresh and slightly perfumed, the medium-high to high intensity nose offers engaging and complex aromas of yellow & white floral, lemon citrus, leesy mineral, yellow apple, and spice. The dry, medium-full bodied palate has a textured and slightly chewy mouthfeel with lovely, ripe, and gently honeyed flavours of yellow & white floral, lemon citrus, apple, leesy mineral and spice replays in a nicely balanced profile. Acids are juicy and well-balanced. Touches of pleasing, savoury bitterness appear on the mid-palate, and tapers to apple, lemon, and leesy minerals on the long, succulent, and juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Several other lovely wines by Boutari are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

Los Clop Paraje Altamira Reserva Malbec 2023 (Argentina) - Wine Review

2026-07-25T17:45:25.240-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Malbec from the high-altitude region of Paraje Altamira within the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina. It is brand new to the LCBO, arriving both in-store and online in last weekend's July 18 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

This Malbec is produced by Clop Wines, a family-run winery whose story begins after José Clop emigrated from Spain to the Mendoza region of Argentina in 1885. José built the Clop family's first winery in 1915, and the business was boosted by his grandson, Don Eraclio Ricardo Clop, in 1991 with a vision to find the best site for the production of premium wines of great depth and unique personality.

In 2002, Ricardo and his sons, Gustavo and Rubén, bought the current winery, not far from the original winery in the district of Fray Luis Beltrán, Department of Maipú, in Mendoza. By 2005, the Clop brothers took on the challenge of producing high-quality wines with the same vision as their father and great-grandfather. In 2007, they began exporting their wines, with the first export to the Island of Mauritius. In 2015, international acclaim arrived as they were awarded Best Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

Today, Clop Wines continues to be run by brothers Gustavo and Rubén. They have decided to invest mostly in the oases where some of Argetina's best vines are grown: Agrelo and Valle de Uco. The structure and architecture of the winery mimics the first wineries in Mendoza and offers a large and convenient space for the reception and processing of grapes. To produce quality wines, Clop Wines combines age-old tradition with innovative, leading-edge technology.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Malbec that was grown in the Paraje Altamira appellation within the department of San Carlos, Uco Valley. The vineyard was planted in 2007 at an altitude of 1,070 metres above sea level on soil that is sandy with stones on the surface and a significant presence of calcareous material lying underneath. The area typically receives only 180 millimetres of rainfall annually, thus the vines are watered via drip irrigation.

To craft this Malbec, the grapes were hand-harvested in the second fortnight of April, and then brought to the winery for cluster and berry selection. The grapes underwent a cold maceration at 6°C for approximately 5 days with constant monitoring and assessment, followed by a traditional fermentation with indigenous yeasts between 26°C and 28°C for 15 days. The wine remained in contact with its skins to enhance mouthfeel and texture, after which it was separated from the skins by pressing. Malolactic fermentation was carried out with indigenous bacteria, followed by 12 months of ageing in new French oak barrels.

The growing season in the 2023 vintage in Argentina was the hottest year recorded since 1961. It was also another roller coaster of a vintage as La Niña left the country in a state of drought, including during the winter months which were unnaturally dry but with some polar influences. Spring frosts in Altamira mildly affected yields, which resulted in fewer berries and contributed to the power of the wines this year. From a very good to outstanding vintage in Altamira that produced minerally and age-worthy wines, let's see how this 2023 Malbec from Paraje Altamira in Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LOS CLOP PARAJE ALTAMIRA RESERVA MALBEC 2023 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#49711) (XD) - $22.95
Elegantly well-balanced with a touch of reductive character, this has a lifted, medium-high to highly aromatic nose of violet, floral, peppery oak spice, blackberry, and black cherry, plus touches of stony/earthy minerals. On the dry, medium to medium-full bodied palate it is ripe and well-structured with violet, black & purple fruits, blackberry, and peppery oak spice flavours. Fresh acids are crisp and lively, while the tannins are quite structured and slightly grippy. Nicely textured throughout with purple and black fruits, and violet notes tapering to savoury, stony minerals on the long, gently chalky textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

A few other Clop Wines are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

July 18, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Summer Smart Buys + Orange Wines

2026-07-24T05:00:00.000-04:00

Here are my top wine picks from the July 18, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). The feature story for this release is Summer Smart Buys, while Orange Wines serve as the mini-theme. In total, the release showcases 121 products, along with an additional 20 Online & Flagship Exclusive (OFE) wines. It's a strong summer lineup, with white and rosé wines accounting for nearly half of the selection—ideal for warm-weather drinking. All the wines are readily available for purchase both online and at LCBO stores across Ontario.

We'll begin with the "Summer Smart Buys" feature, a theme that first appeared in August 2023 before returning last year. This year's selection includes 24 products: ten whites, ten reds, two rosés, two sake, and one sparkling wine. Six of those wines earn a place among my top recommendations in this release. Leading the white wines are the Creekside Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara, a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and an ever-fragrant Moschofilero from Greece. On the red side, my picks are a Gamay Noir from Niagara and a Grenache from Australia. Rounding out the feature is a fine Barolo from Piedmont, crafted, of course, from Nebbiolo—perhaps not the most obvious summer wine, but certainly one worth making an exception for.

My lone recommendation from the Orange Wines mini-theme is a Viognier from Chile. Orange wines are made by fermenting white grape varieties on their skins, much like red wines, resulting in wines with added texture, complexity, and their characteristic amber-orange hue.

Among my top red wine picks from the main release, the standout is a superb Amarone crafted from nearly equal parts Corvina and Corvinone, complemented by approximately 15% Rondinella. Close behind is a Rioja that is predominantly Tempranillo with a small proportion of Graciano. Other blends include a Greek red composed of 60% Syrah, 20% Merlot, and 20% Limnio, as well as a Côtes du Rhône led by Grenache with Syrah in a supporting role. Rounding out the mono-varietal selections are a Malbec from Argentina, a Merlot from South Africa, and a Gamay from Beaujolais.

My top white wine recommendations begin in Greece with a Santorini Assyrtiko sourced from ancient vines estimated to be 150–200 years old, alongside another fine Assyrtiko from Macedonia. Two white blends also make the list: a Soave composed of approximately 85% Garganega with the balance Trebbiano di Soave, and a Côtes du Roussillon blending Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, and Macabeu. Closer to home, Niagara is represented by a pair of lovely Chardonnays, a fine Sauvignon Blanc, and an excellent Riesling with just a kiss of sweetness. Completing the white wine selections are a Fiano from Campania and a dry Pinot Gris from Wairarapa, New Zealand.

My rosé recommendations include a Bandol composed of 65% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, and 15% Cinsault, along with a Côtes du Rhône Rosé made from approximately 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah. For sparkling wines, my picks include a Champagne blended from 40% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, and 25% Pinot Meunier, as well as a Loire sparkler crafted entirely from Chenin Blanc.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

CELLIER DES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 - AOC, France (#14081) (XD) - $16.95 review coming soon...
GLENELLY GLASS COLLECTION MERLOT 2021 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#26669) (XD) - $19.95
D'ARENBERG THE CUSTODIAN GRENACHE 2021 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#713040) (XD) - $19.95 review coming soon...
CHÂTEAU DE PONCIÉ BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES ROUGE 2022 - AOC, France (#48908) (XD) - $19.95
LOS CLOP PARAJE ALTAMIRA RESERVA MALBEC 2023 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#49711) (XD) - $22.95 90+ pts wine review
BACHELDER KIRBY SINGLE VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR 2023 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#45139) (XD) - $29.00
BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2018 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#642496) (XD) - $32.95
KTIMA GEROVASSILIOU RED 2022 - Vegan, PGI Epanomi, Greece (#32378) (XD) - $38.95 OFE 91+ pts wine review
ROBERTO SAROTTO BAROLO 2021 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#49375) (XD) - $39.95 91+ pts wine review
BRIGALDARA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#300012) (XD) - $64.95

White Wine:

M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC 2024 - AOP, Midi, France (#485656) (XD) - $16.95
MITRAVELAS WHITE ON GREY MOSCHOFILERO 2025 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#49094) (XD) - $16.95 89 pts wine review
PADDY BORTHWICK PINOT GRIS 2025 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#555516) (XD) - $19.95
JANARE FIANO 2025 - DOP Sannio, Campania, Italy (#528786) (XD) - $19.95
AHI KA BLACKMORE GROWER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Dillons Point, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41803) (XD) - $20.95
PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 2024 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#946848) (XD) - $21.95
CREEKSIDE BACKYARD BLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#341792) (XD) - $22.00 90+ pts wine review
BOUTARI ASSYRTIKO 2025 - PGI Macedonia, Greece (#44246) (XD) - $23.95 90+ pts wine review
JACKSON-TRIGGS GRAND RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#25368) (XD) - $24.95
SIEGEL NARANJO VIOGNIER 2024 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#37759) (XD) - $27.95
CHARLES BAKER LAUNDRY VINEYARD RIESLING 2024 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#46059) (D) - $34.95
CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH CHARDONNAY 2024 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#16093) (XD) - $36.95 92+ pts wine review
DIVERGENCE GRIMSBY HILLSIDE VINEYARD FRONTIER BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#51974) (XD) - $53.00 OFE 91+ pts wine review
ARGYROS CUVÉE EVDEMON ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#51195) (XD) - $116.95 OFE

Rosé Wine:

E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2025 - AOC, France (#225003) (XD) - $23.95
BASTIDE DE LA CISELETTE LOU PIGNA BANDOL ROSÉ 2025 - AOC, Provence, France (#49431) (XD) - $26.95 OFE

Sparkling Wine:

LAUDACIUS MONTLOUIS-SUR-LOIRE BRUT NATURE SPARKLING - Traditional Method, AOP, Loire, France (#49418) (XD) - $31.95
FRESNE DUCRET LE CHEMIN DU CHEMIN BRUT 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#49032) (XD) - $68.95 OFE

Château de Rochemorin Pessac-Léognan 2022 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

2026-07-21T17:43:01.264-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Merlot-based red wine from Bordeaux's Left Bank that made its debut earlier this month in the July 4 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

The wines of Château de Rochemorin are produced by Vignobles Famille André Lurton, one of Bordeaux's largest and most respected family-owned wine companies. The Lurton family's ancestors, the Récapet, had been cultivating vines since the middle of the 17th century in the parish of Saint-Laurent-des Combes, not far from the famous village of Saint-Émilion. The know-how of the Récapet has been passed along to successive generations as they became liquorists by the middle of the 19th century.

In 1894, Léonce Récapet married Emma Thibeaud, daughter of an owner-vinegrower in Moulon, who set forth a dream to be fulfilled as he embarked on a winegrowing adventure. Léonce's passion for viticulture took root in the family and was transferred to the couple's only living child and heiress - Denise. In 1923, Denise wed François Lurton, a man from the city, and they settled at Château Bonnet. Together, they had four children, with the eldest being André, who was born in 1924. André Lurton was a man of quiet determination and remarkable foresight who dedicated his life to revealing the full potential of Bordeaux's diverse terroirs. He built a legacy based on discovery and had philosophy rooted in terroir – believing that wine should express where it comes from.

Château de Rochemorin has a long history that begins in 1520, when Jean de Amelin from the Périgord region arrived in Bordeaux. He was lord of the Rochemorin noble stronghold in Saint-Front d'Alemps and decided to invest in winegrowing. He set out to find a property and found Maison Noble de Beaubois, in the parish of Martillac, cleared the forest and planted vines as the Rochemorin vineyard was born. Rochemorin was passed through familial lines over generations until it was acquired in 1919 by a company that specialized in forestry and had little interest in viticulture. The estate changed hands one more time and eventually fell into decline, until 1973.

In 1973, Rochemorin was acquired by the visionary André Lurton, who tore down the trees and replanted the original vineyard. Today, Château de Rochemorin, with its unusual architecture, is situated at 56 metres above level, the highest point within the commune of Martillac, and on one of the highest gravelly hilltops in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. The 42 hectares of red grape vines are planted on deep gravel soil, and the 14 hectares of white varieties have shelly sand soil, while the entire vineyard has a base of gravel on clay subsoil terroir. Château de Rochemorin is characterized by the great diversity of its terroir, as this variety of soils and appropriate grape varieties planted on each soil type results in minerally, expressive white wines, and fine, elegant red wines. The prestigious Pessac-Léognan appellation was established as its own AOC in 1987 (it was previously part of the Graves AOC) and is equally famous for both its white and red wines.

This red wine is crafted using a blend of 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc that was grown on deep gravel terroir within a vineyard spanning 56 hectares. The vines average 20 years old and were pruned using a double Guyot system with debudding. After harvesting the grapes, they were sorted using an automatic system upon arriving at the cellar. It underwent fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with a patented cap-breaking system, followed by ageing for 12 months in oak barrels (30–40% new) with racking each trimester.

The growing season in Bordeaux in 2022 was atypical due to the extreme weather conditions. It began with an early frost in the spring, which affected the vineyard just as the vines were starting to bud. There was also a long period of exceptional drought conditions from May until the end of September. While these exceptional weather conditions resulted in lower yields, the end result was grapes in a perfect state of health at the time of harvest, which was earlier than usual and completed by October 4th. From a hot and dry vintage that produced excellent wines, let's see how this 2022 Bordeaux red wine from Pessac-Léognan is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2022 - AOC, Bordeaux, France (#48823) (XD) - $39.95
This terrific blend of 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc is fresh and highly aromatic, with an engaging nose that has lovely dark fruited aromas of black cherry, currant, and blackberry, cocoa, and oak spice aromas with accents of barnyard and graphite all wrapped around a savoury core of wet earth. The medium-full bodied palate has a lighter feel to it with fresh acidity lifting the black fruit, currant, black cherry, blackberry, cocoa, savoury earth, and graphite flavours in a nicely balanced profile. Well-structured tannins are smooth and elegant, while leafy herbs and spice add further complexity on the slightly grippy mid-palate. Savoury earth and graphite notes linger on the finish, with excellent length. Enjoy this highly recommended buy into the mid-2030s! Score: 93 pts

Other lovely wines by Vignobles Famille André Lurton can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

El Goru Rosado Garnacha Tinta 2025 (Spain) - Wine Review

2026-07-19T17:35:44.701-04:00

To celebrate Spain's World Cup final appearance, tonight's rosé wine review is a delicious, sustainable, and vegan rosé crafted with Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache) from Spain that made its debut at the LCBO in last month's June 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is still widely available both online and in-stores across Ontario.

El Goru is a range of wines produced by Ego Bodegas. The husband and wife team of Santos Ortiz and Ioana Paunescu established Ego Bodegas in 2011 after settling in the Jumilla wine region of southeastern Spain, not far from the historical centre of Jumilla. Santos is of Spanish origin, while Ioana was from Romania, and with passion and effort they had a vision to produce high-quality wines that showcase the unique terroir of Jumilla.

Ego Bodegas was built from the roof down on a spectacular farm in a prime, elevated area of Jumilla that was locally known as the carpenter's place. The farm is surrounded by old vineyards, with some vines over 50 years old, planted to Monastrell and offering a naturally beautiful landscape. After two years of hard work and focusing on Quality, Image, and Price, the couple launched Ego Bodegas based on a philosophy centred on ego, talento, and infinito – or self, talent, and infinity.

The wines of Ego Bodegas are crafted using a contemporary twist by combining traditional methods with modern techniques using their modern winemaking facilities to improve quality and efficiency, while continuously striving to seek out the best technology available. They cultivate approximately 20 hectares of vineyards within the Jumilla DO, all located in the provinces of Murcia and Albacete, and are planted with mostly native varieties. With a dedication to innovation, craftsmanship, and excellence in winemaking, the focus at Ego Bodegas is to produce high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.

The El Goru range is the Ego Bodegas' flagship range of wines and represents the heart and soul of the winery's identity. The name "Goru" comes from a local Jumilla nickname meaning "the big-headed one" or "big head", and adorns the label of each El Goru wine. The range was initially designed to showcase the Monastrell varietal, but now also includes wines crafted using other varieties such as this Garnacha Tinta rosé.

This dry rosé is crafted using Garnacha that was grown sustainably within the Jumilla wine region of Spain. Upon reaching maturity in the vineyard, the grapes were hand-harvested and placed in small capacity boxes in order to preserve the quality that was obtained during cultivation. This rosé was crafted using the Saigneé method, whereby the skins were macerated with the must for the time necessary to achieve the desired colour, after which the skins were removed from the tank. The juice then underwent a temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, and the resulting wine was used exclusively to create this Garnacha Rosé.

After four years of drought conditions, the 2025 vintage in Jumilla delivered an exceptional vintage that yielded high-quality grapes to produce well-balanced wines with good body, structure, and flavour intensity. The growing season began with damp conditions in March and April, followed by some hailstorms to the southeast in May. Summer heat helped ripen the grapes and led to a potentially earlier than usual harvest. From an exceptional vintage where presence in the vineyard was essential, let's see how this 2025 Garnacha rosé from Spain is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

EL GORU ROSADO GARNACHA TINTA 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, DO Jumilla, Spain (#49815) (XD) - $14.95
Crafted with 100% Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache), this has a medium+ intensity nose that is ripe and slightly confected with strawberry, raspberry, and red cherry aromas, plus savoury hints of stony mineral and white pepper spice. The weighty, concentrated, and medium-full bodied palate is dry with delicious ripe strawberry, red cherry, raspberry, grapefruit citrus, and peppery spice flavours. It has a slightly crunchy and viscous mouthfeel, alongside juicy, well-balanced acidity. A touch of pleasant bitterness gives way to raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and spice notes on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

A couple of other delicious wines by Ego Bodegas are available at the LCBO, while their full the range of wines can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

July 4, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Nothing But Chardonnay

2026-07-10T13:00:00.000-04:00

Here are my top wine picks from the July 4, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). After the last release focused on wines not named Chardonnay, this release's feature story is titled "Nothing But Chardonnay" and is a Chardonnay wine lover's delight. Overall, this is a very good release with 99 products offered, and everything should be readily available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story that focuses on the noble Chardonnay grape varietal. Of the fourteen wines featured as part of the thematic, six wines are included among my top Chardonnay wine picks. These days, Chardonnays tend to be crafted using various methods ranging from fermentation in stainless steel to concrete to various barrel types, and almost always aged in one of these vessels. Looking at my Chardonnay recommendations, the wine by Rustenberg was wild fermented using indigenous yeast and raised entirely in stainless steel tanks, while the Australian Chardonnay was wild fermented and aged in French oak barriques. The Novellum was mostly vinified in tank with a small portion aged in barrel. The complex versions are the wines by Henry of Pelham, Stratus, and Planeta, which were all fermented and aged in barrel.

My top red wine picks from this release begins in Bordeaux with the excellent Pessac-Léognan that is crafted with 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, while the Fronsac is made with 100% Merlot. Staying in France, the Côtes du Roussillon-Villages is composed of Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, while the Régnié is from Beaujolais and crafted with Gamay. The rest of my remaining red wine picks are all mono-varietal wines, beginning with a pair of dynamite Pinot Noirs, one each from Prince Edward County in Ontario and Central Otago in New Zealand. From Italy, both Riserva Chianti Classico wines are made with 100% Sangiovese, while the Etna Rosso from Sicily is crafted with Nerello Mascalese.

There are a number of white wine recommendations outside of Chardonnay in this release, with the only blend coming from Costières de Nîmes in Rhône, and it is composed of 50% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 10% Marsanne, and 10% Viognier. From Greece, there is a fine Malagousia, as well as an Assyrtiko. There is also a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, followed by a Verdicchio from Marche. And lastly, there is a Picpoul from Midi, a varietal we don't see too often in our market.

Among my rosé wine picks, the only mono-varietal rosé is a Pinot Noir from New Zealand, while the rest are all blends. The dry rosé from Provence is composed of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, while the rosé from Abruzzo is a 70/30 blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano. The last rosé is a blend of Castelão and Cabernet Sauvignon from Portugal.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

LUIS GURPEGUI 147 ANIVERSARIO TEMPRANILLO 2021 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#37088) (XD) - $15.95
GREEK WINE CELLARS FLOWERS XINOMAVRO 2023 - PGI Macedonia, Greece (#49583) (XD) - $17.95
GÉRARD BERTRAND HERITAGE AN 1886 LES ASPRES GRENACHE/ MOURVÈDRE/ SYRAH 2022 - AOP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France (#413245) (XD) - $19.95
CHÂTEAU MAYNE-VIEIL FRONSAC 2019 - Sustainable, AOC, Bordeaux, France (#14469) (XD) - $19.95
HOSPICES DE BEAUJEU CUVÉE MARQUISE DE VAUDREUIL RÉGNIÉ 2023 - AOC, Beaujolais, France (#49860) (XD) - $23.95
FIRRIATO LE SABBIE DELL'ETNA ROSSO 2021 - DOC Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy (#219592) (XD) - $26.95
LORNANO LE BANDITE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#230672) (XD) - $29.95
LOVEBLOCK PINOT NOIR 2022 - Sustainable, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#313924) (XD) - $29.95 92 pts wine review
CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2022 - AOC, Bordeaux, France (#48823) (XD) - $39.95 93 pts wine review
FÈLSINA BERARDENGA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#32304) (XD) - $49.95 92 pts wine review
CLOSSON CHASE CHURCHSIDE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, Unfiltered, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#265074) (XD) - $55.00

White Wine:

LE JADE PICPOUL DE PINET 2024 - AOP, Midi, France (#350124) (XD) - $17.95
ZACHARIAS ASSYRTIKO 2024 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#588814) (XD) - $18.95 89 pts wine review
RUSTENBERG WILD FERMENT UNWOODED CHARDONNAY 2024 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#48202) (XD) - $18.95
NOVELLUM CHARDONNAY 2024 - France (#390781) (XD) - $19.95
FILODIVINO SERRA 46 VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO 2023 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#49371) (XD) - $19.95
MAS DES BRESSADES TRADITION BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, AOP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#701094) (XD) - $20.95 88 pts wine review
VILLA MARIA WAIRAU VALLEY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#536201) (XD) - $24.95
SMALL WONDER LANDSCAPE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Tamar Valley, Tasmania, Australia (#50127) (XD) - $28.95
DOMAINE COSTA LAZARIDI SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUSIA 2024 - Vegan, PGI Drama, Greece (#30609) (XD) - $32.95 91+ pts wine review
HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#616466) (XD) - $34.95 91 pts wine review
STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#267856) (XD) - $35.20
PLANETA CHARDONNAY 2024 - DOC Sicilia Menfi, Italy (#485102) (XD) - $56.95

Rosé Wine:

CASA SANTOS LIMA COLOSSAL RESERVA ROSÉ 2025 - Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (#50311) (XD) - $13.95 88+ pts wine review
S DE LA SABLETTE COTEAUX VAROIS-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#23757) (XD) - $17.95
ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2025 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#43353) (XD) - $19.95
TORRE ZAMBRA INCASTRO ROSA 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, IGT Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy (#50316) (XD) - $19.95 88+ pts wine review

Gorghi Tondi Maremeo Sauvignon Blanc 2025 and Dumè Frappato 2025 (Sicily) - Wine Reviews

2026-06-22T17:40:12.187-04:00

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of lovely, organic wines from Sicily. Both made their first appearance at the LCBO this month, with the Frappato arriving as part of the feature on chilled red wines in the June 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, while the Sauvignon Blanc landed over the weekend in the June 20 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Tenuta Gorghi Tondi, a family-owned estate winery whose story begins with Dora Sala, the matriarch of the family and great-grandmother of sisters Annamaria and Clara Sala, who had a great love for nature, grapes, and the land. Dora was a strong, far-sighted, and innovative woman who was an inspiration to all the women in the family.

Situated in the extreme western part of the island of Sicily, Tenuta Gorghi Tondi was formally founded in 2000 by Michele, who had worked in the business for over forty years, and his wife, Doretta, who is the granddaughter of Dora. A few years later, their daughters, Annamaria and Clara, returned home from their careers and were surrounded by the family vineyards and wines, while facing a new challenge to build a future and bringing back the old dream of crafting premium wines in Sicily.

Today, Tenuta Gorghi Tondi is led by the two sisters, Annamaria and Clara, who carry on with the same determination and love for the land. The Sala family has always had a strong bond with their territory, especially the High, Medium, and Low "whirlpools" (the so-called "Gorghi") that are at the heart of an oasis, which is also the inspiration for the name of the winery - Gorghi Tondi, or Round Whirlpools. They have two properties within the Mazara del Vallo countryside, named Ramisella and San Nicola, and cover over 130 hectares of vines which overlook the horizon and are cradled by the sea breeze in Western Sicily. The winemaking philosophy at Gorghi Tondi is to produce high-quality organic and sustainable wines, in harmony with a unique and naturally gifted terroir.

As organic viticulture and sustainability are core values at Tenuta Gorghi Tondi, all the grapes are grown organically and certified since 2016, without the use of any synthetic chemicals. Emergency irrigation is practiced only if absolutely necessary to maintain the authentic aromas and flavours of the grapes. On the sustainability front, Gorghi Tondi uses clean energy to allow for sustainable development and to protect the ecosystem. In 2025, Gorghi Tondi achieved their VIVA and SOStain Sicilia certifications, which verifies their commitment to environmental performance, biodiversity protection, responsible water use, carbon footprint management, and sustainable vineyard practices.

First crafted in the 2021 vintage, the Maremeo is the Sicilian expression of Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes were grown at approximately 25 metres above sea level in southwestern Sicily, in the countryside area of Mazara del Vallo, province of Trapani, in Contrada San Nicola. It comes from younger vines planted in calcareous and sandy soil that daily breathes the coastal breezes. This wine is from Gorghi Tondi's "Wines of Good Cheer" line, which aims to capture the essence of summer and the vital joy of the Mediterranean Sea's foam.

The Frappato comes from the same Contrada as the Sauvignon Blanc and was first produced in the 2017 vintage. The Dumè represents a fascinating original in the winemaking history of Tenuta Gorghi Tondi as they decided to test themselves for the first time with the indigenous Frappato, one of eastern Sicily's oldest and famous grape varieties. In the Sicilian dialect, the name Dumè literally means "ours or in our way", and Dumè was created with the desire to interpret this historic grape through the unique lens of the Mazara del Vallo terroir. The label for this wine is a lively tribute to the island's art and culture, and is inspired by the iconic geometries and colours of Sicilian ceramics.

In 2025, the growing season in Sicily featured balanced climatic conditions, resulting in fresh, balanced wines of good quality, with coastal areas and those at higher altitudes particularly standing out. Let's see how this 2025 Sauvignon Blanc and 2025 Frappato from Sicily are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

GORGHI TONDI MAREMEO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#49062) (XD) - $19.95
The fresh, medium-high intensity nose offers a fine and intriguing mix of ripe lemon citrus and sea spray aromas nuanced with passion fruit, tropical fruit, peach, saline mineral, and grapefruit. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it is well-structured and lightly honeyed with spiced flavours ripe lemon, citrus, saline mineral, tropical fruit, and peach. It has juicy, well-balanced acidity, alongside a mineral textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Juicy, saline mineral and lemon notes taper to savoury on the long, textured finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

GORGHI TONDI DUMÈ FRAPPATO 2025 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#50571) (XD) - $22.95
100% Frappato. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is ripe and fruity with red berried aromas of black raspberry, cran-cherry, and strawberry joined by whiffs of smoky mineral and savoury earth. It's light-to-mid weighted on the dry palate with lovely spicy notes alongside black raspberry, strawberry, cran-cherry, and red plum flavours surrounding a core of savoury, stony minerals. It has fresh and vibrant acidity, along with slightly grippy textured tannins. The grippy mid-palate leads to raspberry and cherry notes that taper to savoury, stony mineral flavours on the long finish. Chill well for best enjoyment and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other fine & exciting wines by Gorghi Tondi can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

June 20, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Beyond Chardonnay + Rosés from Provence

2026-06-22T05:00:00.000-04:00

Here are my top wine picks from the June 20, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). The theme of this large release is titled "Beyond Chardonnay", while the mini-thematic takes a very brief look at rosé wines from Provence. With 117 products, this is one of the largest releases of the year, which includes a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusives (OFE). Overall, it is a very good release, and all the wines should be readily available for purchase both online and in-store at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story that is titled "Beyond Chardonnay" on the cover of the magazine, while in our media documents it's listed as "Anything But Chardonnay." Regardless, the meaning is the same, offering some fine white wines crafted using varietals not-named Chardonnay. In all, there are twenty delicious alternative white wines, of which four are included among my top white wine picks. The only blend among the bunch is a Côtes du Rhône Blanc that is crafted using a blend of 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8 % Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, and 2% Grenache Blanc. There are a couple of Sauvignon Blanc wines, one by Hidden Bench in Niagara, and the other is by Eva Pemper in New Zealand. The last wine from the thematic is actually an Orange Wine (skin-fermented white) from Chile that is crafted with the Torontel varietal.

My top red wine picks from the main release begin in Tuscany with a Riserva Chianti Classico that is mainly Sangiovese with Canaiolo and Colorino in support. The 2021 Chianti Classico is crafted with 100% Sangiovese, while the 2022 Chianti Classico is a blend of mainly (92%) Sangiovese. From Spain, the 2015 Rioja is composed of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Mazuelo, and 10% Garnacha, while the 2019 Rioja is a blend of 95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, and 2% Garnacha. Also from Spain, the Priorat is crafted with 43% Garnacha, 21% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Cariñena. The only other blend is from Chile, and it is composed of 65% Carignan and 35% Carmenère.

All of my white wine recommendations from the main release are mono-varietal wines and, somewhat ironically, it begins with a top Chardonnay from Argentina. There are also a trio of Sauvignon Blanc wines, one each from Marlborough, South Africa, and Sicily. Unique wines in this release include a Pinot Grigio crafted using the Ramato method, an Albariño from Uruguay, and the native Antão Vaz from Portugal.

Among my top rosé wine picks from this release, one is from the mini-thematic featuring Rosés from Provence, and it is composed of 50% Grenache Noir, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Carignan, and 10% Syrah. There is a trio of local, dry rosés worth your attention, with the versions by Stratus and Queylus both crafted with 100% Cabernet Franc, while the rosé by Fielding is a blend of 60% Gamay and 40% Pinot Noir. The last rosé recommendation is from Spain, and it is a blend of Garnacha Tinta and Viura.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

GOMERSAL SHIRAZ 2022 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#49383) (XD) - $17.95 89 pts wine review
P.S. GARCIA MALA FAMA 2021 - Valle de Itata, Chile (#50282) (XD) - $19.95
THE COLONIAL ESTATE EXPLORATEUR OLD VINE SHIRAZ 2023 - Barossa, South Australia (#50676) (XD) - $19.95
ZUCCARDI MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS MALBEC 2024 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#49616) (XD) - $19.95
CLOS DE TAFALL 2022 - DOQ Priorat, Spain (#574616) (XD) - $22.95
LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#211599) (XD) - $23.95 91 pts wine review
CASTELLO DI QUERCETO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#680496) (XD) - $24.95 90+ pts wine review

PLANETA PLUMBAGO NERO D'AVOLA 2022 - DOC Sicilia Menfi, Italy (#19491) (XD) - $24.95
ESCUDERO SOLAR DE BECQUER RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#49819) (XD) - $27.95 91+ pts wine review
MONCHIERO LANGHE NEBBIOLO 2023 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#50758) (XD) - $27.95
SEÑORÍO DE P. PECIÑA CRIANZA 2019 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#313726) (XD) - $30.95 OFE
WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - 68th Vintage, Coonawarra, South Australia (#84996) (XD) - $44.95
KEINT-HE GREER ROAD SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#51802) (XD) - $49.95 92 pts wine review
CASTELLO MONSANTO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#719864) (XD) - $58.95 OFE

White Wine:

VIDIGUEIRA ANTÃO VAZ 2024 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#50928) (XD) - $16.95
ATTEMS RAMATO PINOT GRIGIO 2025 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#111732) (XD) - $19.95
EVA PEMPER SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#48078) (XD) - $19.95
GORGHI TONDI MAREMEO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#49062) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
GARZÓN RESERVA ALBARIÑO 2025 - Uruguay (#646802) (XD) - $23.95 91+ pts wine review
E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2024 - AOC, France (#290296) (XD) - $24.95 89 pts wine review
MATURANA NARANJO TORONTEL ORANGE WINE 2024 - DO Valle del Maule, Chile (#556217) (XD) - $24.95
SOUTHERN RIGHT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - WO Cape Coast, South Africa (#512277) (XD) - $24.95 OFE
LOVEBLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#22851) (XD) - $24.95
HIDDEN BENCH ROSOMEL VINEYARD FUMÉ BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68825) (XD) - $29.95
CATENA ALTA HISTORIC ROWS CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#139964) (XD) - $39.95

Rosé Wine:

MUGA ROSÉ 2025 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#603795) (XD) - $17.95 88+ pts wine review
FIELDING ROSÉ 2025 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#53421) (XD) - $17.95
CHÂTEAU PARADIS ESSENCIEL AIX-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#48978) (XD) - $18.95 89 pts wine review
DOMAINE QUEYLUS ROSÉ 2025 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#32902) (XD) - $24.95
STRATUS CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, Estate Grown, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#43598) (XD) - $32.20

Illuminati RipaRosso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2023 (Italy) - Wine Review

2026-06-17T17:34:47.547-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious red crafted with Montepulciano from Abruzzo. It is a brand new arrival at the LCBO that landed on shelves across the province in the recent June 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Illuminati Vini, one of Abruzzo's historic family wine estates that was established in 1890 by Nicola Illuminati. He founded his first winery in the commune of Ripatransone, on the border between Marche and Abruzzo, and called it "Fattoria Nicò".

While this was the beginning of the family's history in wine, their familial history and character goes back much further in time with their ancestor, Pacifico Illuminati. Furthermore, their ancient patronymic surname means "illuminated by faith", while their coat of arms is a crescent moon and candle. These ancient symbols signified wisdom, devotion, and resolve, and were discovered, almost by chance, by more recent generations among old relics whose provenance was lost in time. In the past, the people in the village referred to the family as "grastielle", or "those who unite". The members of the Illuminati family were considered wise people who people could always turn to during a conflict, and always brought people together around a table.

In 1960, Dino Illuminati, grandson of Nicola, left Ripatransone and moved to the south to Controguerra, in Abruzzo, by the Teramo hills, which had a microclimate tempered by the Adriatic Sea and was protected by the Gran Sasso mountain range. In an area called Zanna, Dino purchased a farmhouse and 5 hectares of land, which is still Illuminati Vini's headquarters today and is surrounded by 110 hectares of vineyards.

Today, the winery is led by brothers Stefano and Lorenzo Illuminati, and Stefano's son, Nicola, who represent the 4th and 5th generations of the family. The philosophy at Illuminati Vini is that wine isn't just a craft, but a way of working in symbiosis with the land, and an idea refined from father to son, from choice to choice. Each generation has received something and added something, and together, the team carries forward a method that was built over 150 years of experimentation, preserves tradition, and continues to evolve over time.

Illuminati Vini has several lines of wines, with each wine having its own story and born from an encounter between a unique terroir and the knowledge of five generations of winegrowers. This particular red wine is from their RipaRosso line, which recounts the many facets of the Controguerra Teramo Hills, including geography, memory, and natural elements that define the character of the wines and the land that produces them.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Montepulciano that was grown in vineyards situated within the communes of Controguerra, Corropoli, and Torano Nuovo. The vineyards are planted between 200 and 270 metres above sea level, on medium textured soil that tends toward clayey. It was vinified using a traditional red wine method with long maceration of the skins in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 28°C. It underwent malolactic fermentation in steel, and was then aged in 25 hectolitre Slavonian oak barrels for 6 months.

The 2023 vintage in Abruzzo was marked by sweeping changes to the DOC which took effect that year, as well as climatic challenges. Like much of the country, Abruzzo suffered through rain and overcast skies throughout spring, which caused downy mildew, and resulted in drastically reduced yields. Summer was arid and warm, which caused many vines to go into hydric stress and slowed the ripening process. At the time of harvest, the grapes displayed uneven ripeness levels, which meant that severe selection was necessary to identify healthy grapes. Let's see how this 2023 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ILLUMINATI RIPAROSSO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2023 - DOC, Italy (#269985) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap enclosure. Fragrant and open, the medium-high intensity nose has lifted, ripe and fruity aromas of black plum, black cherry, and spice notes layered over oak and grilled herbs in a slightly jammy profile. The weighty, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is dry and ripe with plenty of spice notes embedded with dark fruit, black cherry, black plum, currant, and herbal flavours, plus touches of smoky oak. Crisp acids are juicy and succulent, while the refined tannins have a slightly youthful grip. Spice and dark fruit characters lead to savoury, smoky oak notes on the long, well-structured finish. A food-friendly, recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Illuminati Vini can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

Maison Fontan Tattoo Blanc 2024 (Southwest France) - Wine Review

2026-06-14T17:30:51.025-04:00

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng from Southwest France, that is a brand new arrival at the LCBO, landing in Ontario as part of last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on June 6th.

Like the delicious 2022 Maison Fontan Tattoo T&M Rouge I tasted in December, this white wine is produced by the historic and family-owned Maison Fontan, a wine estate located in the commune of Noulens, within the Gers department of southwestern France.

The story of the Fontan family began in 1907, when the first generation moved to Maubet Farm in Noulens, and practiced mixed farming. The farm was then given as a wedding gift to Ésilda and Maximen Fontan, the second generation of the family. In 1975, the husband and wife team of Jean-Claude and Aline Fontan, who represented the third generation of the family, began transforming the property into viticulture. Their passion for viticulture played a pivotal role by helping instigate the development of Côtes de Gascogne wines.

In 2001, the fourth generation of the family took over the reins as siblings Sylvain and Nadège Fontan, son and daughter, respectively, of Aline and Jean-Claude, began managing the 80 hectares of vineyards. Together, the siblings have continued to develop the estate, with Sylvain taking on the role of winemaking and cellar master, while Nadège handles marketing and sales.

Until 2021, the estate was known as Domaine de Maubet, at which point it was rebranded as Maison Fontan. The farmhouse in which their great-grandparents moved into is still central to the estate as it is a place where people live, come together and work. Nestled among vines, the traditional Gascon half-timbered building is also a place where the natural world is listened to and respected.

Today, with immense pride and unfailing courage, the Fontan siblings continue down the pathway forged by their great-grandparents. With passion and respect for their forebears and the natural environment that surrounds them, the family has always practiced sustainable winegrowing, while common sense is de rigueur. The winemaking philosophy at Fontan is based on respecting nature and the environment, along with the belief that if they nourish the soil to the right extent, and if they take care of it, it will give their vines the best grapes. From soil to glass, the family takes a thoughtful and thorough approach to every phase of production to deliver wines that are safe, well-controlled, and consistently high in quality.

This white wine is crafted using a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Gros Manseng that was grown on clay-limestone and boulbenne, a very fine, siliceous, and silty-sandy soil that is excellent terroir for white wine varieties. The grapes were machine-harvested and placed into vats to undergo 8 to 12 hours of maceration with the skins, then pressed using a pneumatic press. In order to separate the juice from the solids, it was stored at 8°C for 5 days, then underwent alcoholic fermentation at 18°C for 12 to 18 days. The wines are then filtered, assembled, and stabilized, and kept in vats at 8°C until they are bottled and released, which takes place all year round.

The growing season in 2024 in the French wine region of Southwest was, like much of the country, a difficult one with challenging weather conditions. Coulure, millerandage, mildew, frost, and hail resulted in reduced yields, which followed a poor harvest in 2023. Let's see how this 2024 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng from Côtes de Gascogne in Southwest France is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MAISON FONTAN TATTOO BLANC 2024 - IGP Côtes de Gascogne, Southwest, France (#48562) (D) - $19.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Gros Manseng has a delicate, medium+ intensity nose that is ripe and sweet fruited with candied lemon, pear, apricot, floral, and tropical fruit aromas. On the medium-full bodied palate it is rich and flavourful with delicious ripe, candied lemon, citrus, apricot, tropical fruit, and pear flavours in a zesty, slightly off-dry (i.e. sweet) profile. Acids are juicy and well-balanced, while the candied lemon, citrus, pear, and tropical fruit notes taper savoury notes on a slightly sticky finish, with very good length. A quality wine that will be a crowd pleaser. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Their Tattoo Rouge is available on clearance at the LCBO, while the full range of Maison Fontan wines can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Brut Sparkling 2018 (Niagara) - Wine Review

2026-06-12T17:43:58.540-04:00

Tonight's sparkling wine review is a beautiful bubbly that was locally crafted in Niagara using the traditional method. It returned to the LCBO in last weekend's June 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Jackson-Triggs, one of Canada's most recognizable wine brands. It was established as a wine brand in 1993 by Allan Jackson and Donald Triggs under their company Vincor. By 2001, the estate in Niagara-on-the-Lake was opened, and it became a flagship centre for premium VQA wine production. From the start, the Jackson-Triggs estate in Niagara was designed from the start to produce premium VQA wines, and is noted for its gravity-flow production facility, sustainable architectural design, and visitor experience centred around wine tourism.

Jackson-Triggs was one of the first Canadian wine brands to achieve national distribution, and by the early 2000s it had become one of Canada's largest wine labels. Jackson-Triggs helped introduce many Canadians (including myself) to VQA wines and supported the growth of the Niagara wine industry. In 2006, Vincor and all its brands, including Jackson-Triggs, were acquired by Constellation Brands, who managed it for a decade until the Canadian division was sold to the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.

Today, Jackson-Triggs is owned by Arterra Wines Canada. The estate in Niagara-on-the-Lake is planted with mostly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling vines, and also features an outdoor amphitheatre that hosts concerts throughout the warmer months. The modern wine estate of Jackson-Triggs is considered to be one of the landmark winery buildings in Canada as the 45,000 square foot facility combines both production and hospitality under one roof.

The estate winemaker at Jackson-Triggs is Chris Holman, who was raised in Burlington, Ontario. His interest in agriculture was sown when he spent time on his grandparent's farm. Chris is a graduate of Winemaking and Viticulture programs at both Niagara College and Brock University and has held winemaking roles at a number of wineries in British Columbia and Australia. Chris also led the VQA sparkling and white winemaking programs for Arterra Wines Canada at Niagara Falls Cellars. In early 2024, Chris was appointed estate winemaker at Jackson-Triggs.

This lovely sparkling wine was crafted using a blend of 53% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier that was predominantly hand-harvested from their estate vineyard. Each varietal was whole-bunch pressed, clarified, and fermented separately. The base blend was carefully assembled to create an elegant and balanced wine. Secondary fermentation occurred in bottle with carefully selected yeast, and was aged on lees (sur lie) for five years.

In 2018, the growing season began with a cool spring, which delayed the start. In early May, the vines started taking off and made up for lost time, and enjoyed the ideal, hot and dry summer days from June to August. With above-average temperatures, the hot summer was perfect for grape development for all varieties. As harvest season approached, things got challenging as the weather shifted to high heat, humidity, and a bit of rain. Thin-skinned grapes and early-ripening varieties, such as those for this sparkling wine, were harvested at optimal quality thanks to ideal growing conditions throughout the summer. Let's see how this 2018 vintage traditional method sparkling wine from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT SPARKLING 2018 - Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#234161) (XD) - $34.95
Blend of 53% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier that was aged on its lees for 5 years. The medium-high intensity nose has a slightly mature feel to it with elegant and complex aromas of poached apple/pear, toasty brioche, pastry, autolytic, lemon citrus, and yeasty minerals. It is mid-weighted and dry with lovely, tangy apple, pear, lemon citrus, toasty, brioche, and yeasty mineral flavours in a complex profile. It has small, very finely beaded bubbles, alongside crisp and fresh acidity. Apple, pear, and lemon notes give away to toasty, leesy minerals on the long, savoury finish. Enjoy on your next special occasion. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines by Jackson-Triggs can be found not only at the LCBO, but also at Great Estates, Wine Rack, and Arterra Wines Canada.

Kir-Yianni Xinomavro Rosé 2025 (Greece) - Wine Review

2026-06-09T17:38:39.957-04:00

Tonight's rosé wine review is the latest vintage of a terrific, dry, and vegan-friendly rosé from Greece that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend in the June 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the well-respected Kir-Yianni, a family-run winery that was established by the late Yiannis Boutaris in 1997. Yiannis was from the renowned Boutaris winemaking family and one of the leading figures in the Greek wine industry right up until his passing in 2024.

Kir-Yianni was founded in Amyndeon of northern Greece and expanded soon thereafter into neighbouring Naoussa to the south, within the geographic region of Macedonia. In 1999, Stellios Boutaris, son of Yiannis, became Managing Director of Kir-Yianni, and represented the fifth generation of the Boutaris family of winemakers. Stellios was joined by his brother, Mihalis, a few years later and, together, the brothers undertook a project to take Kir-Yianni to the next level of viticulture and winemaking. They began by replanting their 28 hectares of vineyards with both Greek and international varieties, but most importantly, ensuring that each varietal was planted on the most appropriate vineyard parcel.

Today, the philosophy at Kir-Yianni is based upon ensuring a fine balance between the family's hundred-year-long tradition and the use of new and innovative winemaking techniques. By taking proper care in the vineyard, including the use of sustainable practices, strict grape selection, micro-vinifing, and blending meticulously, the team at Kir-Yianni aims to ensure typicity, ageing potential, and consistent wine quality from one vintage to the next. The end goal is to produce appealing wines that reflect the potential of the Greek vineyard and its indigenous varieties, while also protecting the environment by using integrated farming principles. One of their most ambitious initiatives is to achieve carbon neutrality, a lengthy process in which they have already achieved their first two major goals within 18 months in 2024.

While last year's 2024 Kir-Yianni Xinomavro Rosé was labelled as "Vieilles Vignes" (or Old Vines), this vintage bears the name "Terres de Sable" (or Sandy Lands). It is still crafted with 100% Xinomavro that was sourced from the PGI Macedonia viticultural zone of northern Greece. The grapes were carefully selected from 40 to 60-year-old vines, from vineyards chosen for their soil, vine health, and capacity to reach full maturity. In the wider region of Macedonia, the climate experiences significant diurnal temperatures between day and night, and the variety in morphology creates excellent conditions for viticulture.

To craft this dry rosé, the grapes were rigorously sorted on a conveyor belt and direct pressed. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 17–19°C. The wine stayed in contact with its fine lees for 3 months, with occasional bâtonnage (mild stirring).

The 2025 growing season in northern Greece was a very good-to-standout vintage, something that appears to happen in every odd-numbered vintage. While the last two harvests were marked by major challenges due to extreme weather events, 2025 was a return to relative normality, with generally typical conditions and no extreme weather phenomena. June and July were hot and dry. However, the diurnal temperature drop of 10°C at night helped preserve acidity. Cold and rainy conditions at the appropriate time, along with daytime heat and cold nights ensured that the grapes developed full aromatics and phenolic ripeness. Let's see how this 2025 Xinomavro Rosé from northern Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KIR-YIANNI XINOMAVRO ROSÉ 2025 - Vegan, PGI Macedonia, Greece (#39595) (XD) - $19.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap and pours a very pale copper-salmon colour. Lovely, fresh, medium-high to highly aromatic nose is intense and complex with spice, red berry, grapefruit, citrus, white peach, and mineral aromas accented with strawberry, raspberry, and dried herbs. The mid-weighted palate is dry and slightly honeyed with delicious grapefruit, citrus, red berry, white peach, and dried spice flavours. It is well-structured with fresh and zesty acidity. Well-balanced throughout with grapefruit, red berry, spice, and white peach notes tapering to leesy minerals on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Many wines by Kir-Yianni are available at the LCBO, and can also be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

June 6, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Glou Glou

2026-06-08T05:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Summer! Here's my top wine picks from the June 6, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where "Glou Glou" is the title of the release. In all, there are 104 products offered in this release, with the ongoing theme throughout being wines for summer drinking, which includes over a dozen rosés. All the wines should be readily available for purchase both online and in-store at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story titled "Glou Glou", which is actually an onomatopoeia (i.e. words that imitate the sound it's meant to describe.) In the wine world, "glou glou" wines are easy-drinking, refreshing, and not overly serious wines. Furthermore, glou glou wines are often meant to describe chillable red wines. Of the 18 chillable reds that are included in the feature story, four are included in my top wine picks and are ideal for summer drinking. Up first is a Frappato from Sicily, followed by a Cinsault from Chile. The other two chillable red wine recommendations are blends, with the Rioja composed of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Viura, while the Portuguese red from Vinho Verde is a blend of 70% Alvarelhão, 15% Pedral, and 15% Verdelho Tinto.

Among my top red wine picks, we'll begin in Tuscany with the return of the Oreno, an iconic Super Tuscan composed of 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, followed by the Chianti Classico that is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Malvasia Nera, and 5% Colorino. The remaining wines are all mono-varietals, including a Pinot Noir from Niagara, and a Carmenère from Chile. From Italy, there is the indigenous Lacrima from Marche, and the Montepulciano from Abruzzo. For Cabernet Sauvignon wine lovers, there are wines from Chile and Coonawarra in Australia.

The only blend among my top white wine recommendations is the wine from Côtes de Gascogne in the Southwest of France, and it is a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Gros Manseng. All the other white wine picks are mono-varietal wines crafted in a dry style, including the Riesling from Australia, the Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand, Niagara, and South Africa, as well as the Vermentino from Tuscany. You can also go off the beaten path and try the Carricante from Etna in Sicily, or the Kydonitsa from Greece.

From a new batch of rosé wines, my top rosé wine picks begin with Pinot Noir taking centre stage. The rosé by Hidden Bench is a blend of 88% Pinot Noir, 6% Chardonnay, and 6% Viognier, while the rosé from Uruguay is composed of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Merlot, and 20% Marselan. The other rosé wines are mono-varietals, with the Malivoire rosé made with 100% Pinot Noir, the Greek rosé is 100% Xinomavro, and the Spanish rosé is 100% Garnacha (i.e. Grenache).

My lone sparkling wine recommendation in this release is the 2018 traditional method bubbly by Jackson-Triggs, which was aged on its lees for 5 years and is composed of 53% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

BISQUERTT CRAZY ROWS CINSAULT 2024 - DO Secano Interior, Valle del Itata, Chile (#48197) (XD) - $16.95 88+ pts wine review
ILLUMINATI RIPAROSSO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2023 - DOC, Italy (#269985) (XD) - $17.95 88+ pts wine review
MONTE SCHIAVO MARZAIOLA LACRIMA DI MORRO D'ALBA 2024 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#50813) (XD) - $17.95 89 pts wine review
ANSELMO MENDES PARDUSCO VINHO VERDE 2023 - DOC, Portugal (#50869) (XD) - $18.95
ARTUKE 2024 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#49423) (XD) - $19.95
TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2023 - Sustainable, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#57513) (XD) - $19.95 90+ pts wine review

GORGHI TONDI DUMÈ FRAPPATO 2025 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#50571) (XD) - $22.95 90 pts wine review
ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Sustainable, Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#203364) (XD) - $23.95
MAZZEI FONTERUTOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#977629) (XD) - $24.95 89 pts wine review
STONEHAVEN RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#49433) (XD) - $29.95
WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#427500) (XD) - $33.95 91 pts wine review
ORENO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#735597) (XD) - $99.95 94 pts wine review

White Wine:

MULDERBOSCH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#933424) (XD) - $16.95
FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#89011) (XD) - $17.95
SAN FELICE VERMENTINO 2024 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#222802) (XD) - $18.95
KNAPPSTEIN CLARE VALLEY RIESLING 2024 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#49836) (XD) - $18.95
MAISON FONTAN TATTOO BLANC 2024 - IGP Côtes de Gascogne, Southwest, France (#48562) (D) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
HUIA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#659979) (XD) - $21.95
TORNATORE ETNA BIANCO 2024 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#577676) (XD) - $24.95
TSIMBIDI MONEMVASIA KYDONITSA 2024 - PGI Laconia, Greece (#33254) (XD) - $27.95

Rosé Wine:

EL GORU ROSADO GARNACHA TINTA 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, DO Jumilla, Spain (#49815) (XD) - $14.95 88+ pts wine review
BODEGA GARZÓN ESTATE PINOT ROSÉ DE CORTE 2025 - Garzón, Uruguay (#15265) (XD) - $19.95
KIR-YIANNI XINOMAVRO ROSÉ 2025 - Vegan, PGI Macedonia, Greece (#39595) (XD) - $19.95 90+ pts wine review
MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2025 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $23.95
HIDDEN BENCH LOCUST LANE ROSÉ 2025 - VQA West Niagara, Ontario, Canada (#68833) (XD) - $26.95 91 pts wine review

Sparkling Wine:

JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT SPARKLING 2018 - Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#234161) (XD) - $34.95 91+ pts wine review

Monte Schiavo Marzaiola Lacrima di Morro d'Alba 2024 (Marche) - Wine Review

2026-06-06T17:36:54.146-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, vegan-friendly wine crafted using Lacrima grapes that made its debut at the LCBO in today's June 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Monte Schiavo is one of three ranges of wines produced by the Pieralisi family of Tenute Pieralisi. Monte Schiavo represents the family's 60 years of experience in viticulture and production of excellent wines in the Marche winegrowing region.

Since the 1960s, the Pieralisi family have been one of Marche's most famous families of entrepeneurs and winemakers. However, the Pieralisi family's journey of innovation goes back even further as Adeodato Pieralisi founded the first workshop for the maintenance of agricultural machinery in 1888. With innovation in their DNA, the family has an attachment to the land and the region, along with a passion for innovation that has guided the family since the 19th century.

In 1976, the co-operative winery of Monte Schiavo was established in the comune of Maiolati Spontini, in the province of Ancona, in the heart of the classic production area of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, where it still stands today. In 1995, the Pieralisi group acquired Monte Schiavo and set forth a path with a passion for the land and developed technologies to make the work by humans easier and more effective.

Today, the Pieralisi family have created a cutting-edge winery with a rigorously short production chain, the capability to manage the entire production cycle, and meets modern standards for hygiene and quality. Guided by the experience and passion of first-class oenologists and master winemakers, the Pieralisi family boasts of production excellence and an aim of guaranteeing taste and quality. With a deep respect for the land and its natural processes, along with a conviction that authenticity at the origin is the key to creating a quality product, the estates of Tenute Pieralisi are certified organic (or in conversion to organic), while also fully complying for the production of vegan wines.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Lacrima, an autochthonous vine that is a rare survivor from medieval times in the Marche region. The name "Lacrima" means tear and is derived from the juice that flows out of this ripe and dark berry. It is grown almost exclusively in the comune of Morro d’Alba, within the province of Ancona in Marche. The grapes for this wine were grown on hills overlooking the Adriatic Sea on fertile, medium-soil, at 120 metres above sea level. After manually harvesting the grapes over the last days of September, it underwent traditional vinification and ageing in stainless steel tanks.

The growing season in 2024 in Marche was marked by a torrid, dry summer, which resulted in a low-yielding and early harvest. Let's see how this 2024 Lacrima from Marche is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MONTE SCHIAVO MARZAIOLA LACRIMA DI MORRO D'ALBA 2024 - Vegan, DOC, Marche, Italy (#50813) (XD) - $17.95
100% Lacrima in an unoaked style. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose delivers wild berry, floral violet, and raspberry aromas in a slightly perfumed profile, and layered over dark berry, black cherry, and earth with hints of mineral. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied it has a fine balance of fruity and savoury with wild berry, floral violet, raspberry, red currant, and plum flavours surrounding a core of savoury earth and mineral. Mild spice notes join the party on the mid-palate. It has fresh acidity and somewhat firm tannins that are youthfully textured and chalky. The wild berry and violet notes give way to savoury minerals on the long, gently youthful finish. Give it a slight chill and enjoy this recommended buy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts

One wine by Monte Schiavo is available in extremely limited quantities at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

Antech Cuvée Françoise Brut Nature Blanquette de Limoux (Languedoc) - Wine Review

2026-06-03T17:45:12.644-04:00

Tonight's sparkling wine review is a lovely bubbly crafted in the traditional method with 100% Mauzac from Limoux (Languedoc). This arrived at the LCBO late last year in the December 20th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (and is likely sold out by now), while the Cuvée Françoise Brut Blanquette de Limoux arrived in the recent May 23 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Cuvée Françoise is a range of premium wines crafted by Famille Antech. The brand is named in honour of its creator, Françoise Antech-Gazeau, the sixth generation of a family of winemakers in Limoux. Françoise was born and raised in Limoux, in the South of France, and pursued higher education in Paris. She combined her business degree with a passion for "French-style" know-how and taste for international affairs and found employment at L'Oréal.

However, after a decade at this large company, Françoise desired to return to her roots and in 1995 she returned to Limoux to join her father, Georges, and her uncle, Roger, and put her energy and enthusiasm into a project that was dear to her.

With the Cuvée Françoise range there is a constant quest for excellence based on an approach of Learning, Leading, and Sharing. With great respect for the prior generations, Françoise spent her early years learning from her father and uncle, while also discovering and listening. As a leader in Limoux with many vintages in which Françoise was able to understand the history and terroir, Françoise affirmed her ambitions since the beginning of the century and laid the foundations for sustainable viticulture and ambitious winemaking to finally recognize the potential of Limoux sparkling wines. Françoise shares her know-how with family members who joined the team, including her son, Baptiste, who joined the project in 2020.

The style of Cuvée Françoise wines has evolved over the years, always seeking more freshness and precision, while long ageing on lees allows for magnification of minimalist, but very demanding, cellar work. As Françoise is in love with the terroir of Limoux, she has always been a fervent ambassador of this unique place that produces fantastic sparkling wines.

This sparkling wine is crafted with the indigenous Mauzac varietal gown in the Limoux wine region of Languedoc. Some parcels of Mauzac benefitted from the seaside Mediterranean climate, while others were located in the foothills of the cooler Pyrenees mountains. The vineyards were planted on limestone soil, cultivated according to Certified TERRA VITIS standards, and are in conversion to organic farming. The higher altitude vineyards in the Pyrenees were dry farmed. With a firm commitment to sustainability, this wine is bottled in a lightweight bottle that is 15% lighter than average, and is also made from 90% recycled glass. Furthermore, the bio-sourced label is made of natural cotton.

To craft this sparkling wine, the grapes were hand-harvested, then pressed using direct slow and low pressure. Only the freshest juices were selected for this cuvée. It underwent secondary fermentation in bottle and was aged on its lees for an average of 30 months. In the Brut Nature style, no dosage was added.

Tasting Note:

ANTECH CUVÉE FRANÇOISE BRUT NATURE BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX - Traditional Method, AOP, Languedoc, France (#44204) (XD) - $22.95
100% Mauzac aged on its lees for 30 months. The open, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers a fine mix of lemon citrus, leesy mineral, and ripe apple aromas with touches of toasty brioche, white floral, autolytic, and savoury characters. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is dry and gently honeyed with delicious, sliightly tangy flavours of apple, lemon, and citrus tapering to savoury, leesy minerals, and toasty brioche. It has fresh acidity and crisp bubbles, along with a fine mineral texture. The mineral notes carry through to the long, savoury, and textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Very small quanities of other wines by Antech are available at the LCBO, while the full range (and in larger quantities) can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

Jean Perrier & Fils Cuvée Gastronomie Abymes Savoie 2024 (France) - Wine Review

2026-05-30T17:33:53.487-04:00

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely wine from the Abymes appellation in Savoie crafted with the Jacquère varietal. It made its debut at the LCBO as part of the feature on Summer-Worthy Wines in last weekend's May 23 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Jean Perrier & Fils, a family-run winery with a long history linked to the wines of Savoie. It was established in 1853 by Catherine Perrier, a native of the commune of Barberaz in Saovie, who purchased a cellar in St André les Marches and started growing vines next to the mountain Mont Granier.

In 1911, Claude Emile Perrier, son of Catherine, acquired a second cellar, but had to replant the vineyard due to phylloxera. The family expanded their vineyard and cellar in 1920 under the guidance of Jean Perrier, son of Claude Emile. The Perrier family made their wine in bulk and sold it to cafés up until 1947, when Jean Victor Perrier, son of Jean, extended the lands further and became the first in Savoie to bottle their own wine. By 1953, Jean and his two employees were farming over 2 hectares of vines.

In 1964, Gilbert Perrier, son of Jean Victor, joined the family business and under his direction further improvements were made - including setting up their first bottling line, extending the cellars, and also building a new winery. By 1984, President Gilbert welcomed his two elder sons into the family, while his third son joined the company about a decade later. The three brothers — Philippe, Christophe, and Gilles — share the tasks of vinification, trade, administration, and marketing. Gilles' son has also recently joined the winery and represents the 7th generation of the Perrier family to work the vines.

Today, Vins Perrier farms over 59 hectares of vineyards across 8 towns throughout the Savoie. All farming is practiced sustainably, and by hand, while time-honoured traditions in the vineyard and cellar are combined with modern techniques to create wines of exacting standards that are fresh, clean, and vibrant, and also express the pure character of Savoie.

Like the lovely 2023 Jean Perrier & Fils Cuvée Gastronomie Chignin I enjoyed around this time last year, this white wine is also made with pure Jacquère grapes. Indigenous to Savoie, Jacquère is the most widely planted grape varietal in the Savoie winegrowing region, with over 50% of the vineyards planted with Jacquère. The mid-sized grapes naturally grow in tight bunches with a thick skin, juicy pulp, and a slightly bitter taste. It is an early-budding and early-ripening variety with high acid that tends to produce lower-alcohol wines.

This 100% Jacquère was grown on argilo-calcaire (limestone and clay) soils from estate vines on gentle slopes within the Abymes appellation. The terroir in this area was created by a landslide in the 13th century. The grapes are carefully pruned during the growing season as the nights are extremely cool, while aspect and canopy management are used to ensure the grapes ripen with exposure to the midday sun. As an early-ripening variety, the Jacquère grapes were manually harvested and carefully selected at full ripeness. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were crushed using a pneumatic press and then fermented for three weeks at 20°C in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. It was bottled young in order to preserve the fruit and freshness.

In 2024, spring frosts affected the vineyards in Savoie, while mildew was also a threat. However, Jacquère is fairly mildew-resistant. Quality is high in this vintage, even though yields are slightly reduced. Let's see how this 2024 Jacquère from Savoie is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

JEAN PERRIER & FILS CUVÉE GASTRONOMIE ABYMES SAVOIE 2024 - AOP, France (#944264) (XD) - $19.95
Crafted with 100% Jacquère, this has a lifted, medium-high intensity nose that offers lovely lemon oil, ripe citrus, floral blossom, yellow plum, and grapefruit aromatics accented with almond and touches of mineral and spice. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has ripe, gently honeyed flavours of melon, lemon citrus, and grapefruit, and yellow plum, plus touches of almond, leesy mineral, and spice notes adding savoury complexity. Acids are clean and fresh, while fine leesy mineral notes linger on the long-lasting and juicy finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Jean Perrier & Fils can be ordered through their Agent - Buyers+Cellars.

Domaine Cluny Bourgogne Côte d'Or Pinot Noir 2022 (France) - Wine Review

2026-05-27T17:43:09.209-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is a fantastic Pinot Noir from Burgundy that made its debut at the LCBO last weekend in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on May 23rd.

It is produced by Domaine Cluny, a family-run estate winery situated in the heart of the Côte de Nuits in the historic town of Brochon, between the iconic villages of Fixin to the north and Gevrey-Chambertin to the south. The Cluny family have been passionately farming vineyards in Brochon for six generations since the start of the 20th century. The estate has been extended over the years and passed down from one generation to the next.

It all started with Charles Cluny, who had come to work at Château de Brochon and bought some plots of vines. Paul Cluny, son of Charles, worked on the estate and expanded it before passing it along to his son, Charles. Michel Cluny, son of Charles, further extended the property before passing it on to Hervé Cluny in 1981. After Hervé passed away in 2005, his two daughters, Léa and Camille, inherited the domaine and its vineyards. For about the next decade, the family maintained the vineyards and predominantly sold the grapes to négociants.

In 2014, Édouard Papin, Léa's husband, joined the estate after studying viticulture and oenology in Beaune and a year later produced his first vintage using family estate fruit. Édouard took a rigorous approach to both vineyard and winery management in order to maximize the potential of the outstanding vineyard sites and climats he worked with.

Together, the Cluny family farms 7 hectares of some of the finest vineyards in the Côte de Nuits. They craft regional Bourgogne wines, Villages level wines, and Premier Cru wines using the traditional Burgundian varietals Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Domaine Cluny is actively moving towards environmentally-friendly wine growing while continuing to produce wines using traditional Burgundy methods. The family has chosen to farm sustainably using a quality charter based on caring for the soil, using tillage and restricting yields to harvest the finest fruit every year.

This particular red wine is crafted using 100% Pinot Noir that was grown at the En Comble vineyard site within the village of Brochon in the Côte de Nuits district, and the Burgundy appellation of Côte d'Or. The grapes come from a small plot of only 0.72 hectares of vines which average 40 years old and are planted on a sandy soil mixed with clay. After harvesting the grapes by hand, they were sorted and de-stemmed, and underwent alcoholic fermentation using indigenous yeast in concrete vats at a controlled temperature. It was matured for 12 months in (French) oak barrels.

In 2022, the growing season in Burgundy produced an excellent vintage in terms of both quality and quantity. The summer was hot and dry, without any challenges except for a couple of days of heavy storms in June, and some hail damage. After the rains of June, summer featured near-perfect growing conditions for Pinot Noir, with July and August offering warmth for ripening with little drought stress and raisining. 2022 is a 5-star vintage that brings together the fruit, aroma, and tannin of a warm vintage with the freshness, moderate body, and alcohol of a classic, cooler vintage. Let's see how this 2022 Pinot Noir from Côte d'Or in Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE CLUNY BOURGOGNE CÔTE D'OR PINOT NOIR 2022 - Sustainable, AOC, Burgundy, France (#49859) (XD) - $29.95
The lifted, medium-high+ intensity nose offers lovely ripe black cherry and wild berry fruited aromas with a touch of reductive notes, followed by accents of earthy mushroom and a touch of fine wood spice. On the dry, medium-bodied palate it is well-structured with delicious black cherry, wild cheery, and oak spice flavours, alongside savoury earth, mushroom, and cocoa notes in a nicely balanced profile. Slightly tangy on the mid-palate. Acids are fresh, crisp, and structured, while the grainy tannins offer impressive structure in the Pinot context. Long and structured with juicy berry, oak spice, and cocoa notes on the succulent finish. Should drink nicely for at least the next 5 years and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines by Domaine Cluny can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

Featherstone Gamay Noir 2022 (Niagara) - Wine Review

2026-05-24T17:35:32.877-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Gamay Noir from Niagara that arrived at the LCBO in this weekend's May 23rd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as part of the feature on Local Talent.

It is produced by Featherstone Estate Winery, a boutique, certified sustainable winery that was established in 1999 by Louise Engel and her winemaker husband, Dave Johnson. The estate winery is situated in Vineland, Ontario, among 23 hectares of rolling hills within the prestigious upper Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara Escarpment. The name "Featherstone" is an homage to the gourmet food shop which specialized in poultry that Louise and Dave once owned and was named "Feather", while "stone" comes from the stone rock face and quarry adjacent to the vineyard.

Since its founding in 1999, Featherstone has been practicing eco-friendly farming techniques with respect for the land at the heart of making wine that is true to its soil and its site. Since the beginning, Featherstone has been practicing insecticide-free farming, and has employed various sustainable practices over the years. Notably, Featherstone pioneered in the region a small flock of sheep to naturally eat their way through the grape leaves that needed to be removed from the fruiting zone on the vines, while also fertilizing the soil as they moved through the vineyard. Featherstone also takes care of their dirt by avoiding herbicides, planting cover crops, using organic compounds to control mould and mildew, and switching to a recycle sprayer. In 2023, Featherstone received its Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) certification.

After 25 years, Featherstone opened a new chapter in 2024 when it was acquired by philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal, while Louise and Dave look forward to their retirement years. After a period of transition, the new owners aim to build upon the successes of the past and carry the winery into the future with sustainability at its core.

Other developments since the change in ownership are that Kevin Qin, a graduate of the Niagara College Winery & Viticulture program who joined Featherstone in 2014, is now the Head Winemaker. Bruce Sawchuk also recently joined Featherstone as Junior Winemaker. The winery also completed their renovations of their new tasting room and expanded their hospitality services by opening the Nest Bistro.

Philanthropy is also a focus at Featherstone as both Rayla and George are firm believers in creating stronger communities through philanthropy. Their annual giving through the Myhal Family Foundation has helped to support projects in Education, Healthcare and Humanitarian efforts globally. With the purchase of Featherstone, their hope is to uplift the surrounding community with an ambitious goal of giving back 10% of all profits to local charities in the area.

To craft this 100% Gamay Noir, which was produced by both winemakers David Johnson and Kevin Chuan Qin, the grapes were machine harvested on October 14, 2022, then brought to the winery to be optically sorted to separate the ripest grapes. The selected grapes were then de-stemmed, crushed, and then cold-soaked on the skins for 72 hours prior to undergoing alcoholic fermentation using indigenous yeasts in their climate-controlled cellar. The wine also completed 100% malolactic fermentation, and was then aged for 10 months in American oak barrels.

The growing season in 2022 was a very low-yielding vintage due to the wet fall of 2021, which was followed by a severe cold episode in winter 2022. While it wasn't a textbook growing season in Niagara, Indian Summer temperatures during harvest were quite favourable and allowed wineries a broad opportunity to harvest the grapes at optimal maturity. September was warm and dry, and the fruit quality during harvest was excellent, with Gamay grapes showing lots of fruit, energy, and depth. From a low-yield and high-quality vintage, let's see how this 2022 Gamay Noir from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FEATHERSTONE GAMAY NOIR 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#39275) (XD) - $18.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap. Enticing, medium-high intensity aromas of red & black sour cherry, pomegranate, and savoury beetroot notes with hints of smoke, and woody earth. It is light-to-medium bodied on the dry palate with smooth, light, and integrated tannins. Fresh and lively acidity adds a tanginess to the cran-cherry, sour cherry, pomegranate fruit flavours, which are nuanced with savoury wood, and cocoa notes. The crisp and juicy mid-palate leads to savoury, earthy, cocoa, and woody notes on the long, well-balanced, and succulent finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Many other lovely wines by Featherstone are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara.

May 23, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Summer-Worthy Wines + Rueda

2026-05-24T05:00:00.000-04:00

Here are my top wine picks from the May 23, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). The thematic of this release focuses on Summer-Worthy Wines, while the mini-thematic of only three wines looks at the wines from Rueda, which also tend to be summer-worthy. In all, there are 111 products included in this release, of which 18 are Online & Flagship Exclusives (OFE), and everything should be readily available for purchase at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

While the theme is titled "Summer-Worthy Wines", it is actually more about trendy wines that needed to feel summer worthy. What you will find among these twenty-four products is that they are mostly off-the-beaten path types of wines and styles. Only two wines (both white) from the thematic made my list of top wine picks, one of which is a wine from Savoie crafted with the Jacquère varietal, while the other is a Catarratto from Sicily.

Rhône leads the way with a quartet of wines among my top red wine recommendations. First up is the lone mono-varietal Rhône red - a Crozes-Hermitage that is crafted with 100% Syrah. The Costières de Nîmes is a blend of 55% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, and 15% Syrah, while the Coudoulet Côtes du Rhône is composed of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault, and the Halos de Jupiter Côtes du Rhône is a blend of mainly Grenache with Mourvèdre and Syrah in support. Next up is Tuscany with a trio of wine recommendations - both the Brunello di Montalcino and the Riserva Chianti Classico are crafted with pure Sangiovese, while the Chianti is 95% Sangiovese with the balance Canaiolo & Colorino. The only other blend among my picks is the wine from Portugal, which is a blend of Tinta Roriz and Castelão. The rest of my top red wine picks from other wine regions include a Pinot Noir from Burgundy, and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. On the local front from Niagara, there is a fine Syrah and a lovely Gamay Noir.

The blends among my top white wine picks from this release include the excellent Côtes du Rhône Blanc that is composed of 30% Bourboulenc, 30% Marsanne, 30% Viognier, and 10% Clairette, while the white wine from Alto Adige is a blend of mainly Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc. Among the mono-varietal whites, there are a couple of Chardonnays - one each from Argentina and Burgundy, as well as a couple of Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand and Australia. There is also a Grüner Veltliner from Austria, and finally, a Verdejo that is part of the mini-theme of Rueda.

Other wines in this release include the latest vintage of a perennially fine rosé from Tavel, which is crafted with 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Clairette, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Bourboulenc, as well as a rosé from Provence that is a blend of 30% Cinsault, 30% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah, and 10% Rolle. Among the sparkling wines, the Blanquette de Limoux is crafted with 100% Mauzac, while the Brut Rosé Sparkling from Niagara is a blend of mainly Pinot Noir and Riesling, with a splash of Gamay Noir.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

QUINTA DO ESPÍRITO SANTO 2022 - Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (#488015) (XD) - $14.95 88+ pts wine review
ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Sustainable, Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#606764) (XD) - $18.95 89 pts wine review
FEATHERSTONE GAMAY NOIR 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#39275) (XD) - $18.95 90 pts wine review
HALOS DE JUPITER CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2024 - AOP, France (#276956) (XD) - $19.95
CREEKSIDE ICONOCLAST SYRAH 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471797) (XD) - $25.00 91+ pts wine review
GIACOMO MORI CHIANTI 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#68858) (XD) - $29.95

DOMAINE CLUNY BOURGOGNE CÔTE D'OR PINOT NOIR 2022 - Sustainable, AOC, Burgundy, France (#49859) (XD) - $29.95 91+ pts wine review
FAMILLE PERRIN COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 - Ssecond Wine of Ch. de Beaucastel, AOC, France (#48884) (XD) - $32.95
DOMAINE GASSIER LOU COUCARDIÉ COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES ROUGE 2019 - AOC, Rhône, France (#42213) (XD) - $39.95 OFE 91+ pts wine review
E. GUIGAL CROZES-HERMITAGE 2021 - AOC, Rhône, France (#28574) (XD) - $45.95 OFE
BINDI SERGARDI I COLLI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#16973) (XD) - $54.95 OFE
COL D'ORCIA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2020 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#306852) (XD) - $68.95

White Wine:

CUATRO RAYAS VENDEMIA NOCTURNA VERDEJO 2024 - Vegan, DO Rueda, Spain (#14028) (XD) - $14.95
AMATO CATARRATTO 2024 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#48105) (XD) - $16.95
WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Australia (#166942) (XD) - $18.95 89 pts wine review
DOMÄNE WACHAU TERRASSEN FEDERSPIEL GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 - Qualitätswein, DAC Wachau, Austria (#31534) (XD) - $19.95
JEAN PERRIER & FILS CUVÉE GASTRONOMIE ABYMES SAVOIE 2024 - AOP, France (#944264) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
CANTINA TRAMIN T CUVÉE BIANCO 2024 - IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy (#49286) (XD) - $20.95
TALMARD MÂCON-UCHIZY 2024 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#733956) (XD) - $23.95
OTU LIMITED RELEASE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#17548) (XD) - $24.95
EL ENEMIGO CHARDONNAY 2024 - Gualtallary, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#482984) (XD) - $29.95
CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 - AOC, France (#48892) (XD) - $34.95 OFE

Rosé Wine:

CHÂTEAU D'AQUERIA CRU DES CÔTES DU RHÔNE TAVEL ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#319368) (XD) - $25.95 92 pts wine review
UP ULTIMATE PROVENCE CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#14833) (XD) - $30.95

Sparkling Wine:

ANTECH CUVÉE FRANÇOISE BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX 2023 - Traditional Method, AOP, Languedoc, France (#44204) (XD) - $23.95
THE FOREIGN AFFAIR BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#19346) (D) - $24.95 89 pts wine review

Château d'Aqueria Cru des Côtes du Rhône Tavel Rosé 2025 (France) - Wine Review

2026-05-21T17:42:37.686-04:00

Tonight's rosé wine review is from Southern Rhone Cru of Tavel, which is typically a Grenache-based blend. As a perennial favourite of mine, I am delighted to see the latest vintage of this excellent, organic, and dry rosé arrive at the LCBO in this weekend's May 23 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, and is already widely available for purchase across the province.

It is produced by Château d'Aqueria, a benchmark estate considered to be one of the jewels of the Southern Rhône Valley that is situated in Cru of Tavel. The historic property was established in 1595 when Louis Joseph d'Aqueria purchased this prime vine-growing area of Tavel known as "Puy Sablonneux" from the monks at the Abbey in Villeneuve les Avignon. Robert d'Aqueria, son of Louis Joseph, and hereditary Count Palatine built a home on the site which was transformed in the 18th century into the Château as we know it today.

The Château and the surrounding area had been in the hands of numerous families since that time, until the estate was acquired in 1919 by Jean Olivier, a doctor of law. Jean passed the estate on to his daughters Mireille de Bez and Nicole Boccon-Gibod. Paul de Bez, son-in-law of Jean, took over management of the property. When Vincent and Bruno de Bez, the sons of Paul, began running the family business in 1984, it represented three generations of the family that put this historically significant place on the map as a stand-out property in the appellations of Tavel and Lirac.

Today, Château d'Aqueria is owned by the Guigal family as they took over the reins from the de Bez family in May 2022. While Château d'Aqueria has been practicing sustainable viticulture for many years, after the acquisition, the Guigal family announced that Aqueria would be converting to certified organic viticulture, and beginning with the 2025 vintage they began producing certified organic wines.

While Aqueria may be under new ownership, the philosophy at the estate remains the same — in search of excellence. Their goal is to also preserve the history and memory of the people who accompanied these excellent terroirs throughout the years. Furthermore, they are taking steps to bring to light the rich diversity of the estate by observing and understanding the land, while also maintaining the centuries-old tradition of conservation and respect for the vineyards. The vinification process at Château d'Aqueria is managed with exact precision so that each wine can offer the purest expression of these terroirs, and at the same time craft exceptional wines.

This rosé has been crafted for over 30 years and, for the first time in its history, it bears the certified organic designation beginning with the 2025 vintage. The wine is typically a blend of several varieties, and in this particular vintage it is composed of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Clairette, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Bourboulenc. The grapes were grown on clayey-sandy hillsides, and upon harvest, each variety was carefully de-stemmed and chilled prior to placing in vats. The varieties were blended two-by-two during the 12 to 24-hour maceration phase in order to enhance aromatic complexity. Once the desired colour was obtained, the entire tank was bled and the marcs (grape pomace) pressed at length, which then goes into the free-run wine. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled tanks for 15 days, after which the wine was matured in both stainless and concrete tanks for 6 months, then bottled and released.

The growing season in 2025 in the Southern Rhone was marked by a series of heatwaves. It began with a mild winter with sufficient rainfall to replenish the soils, followed by a balmy spring. Serious heat arrived during summer, which was beneficial for vines in Tavel, but also cut yields during this hot and fast-growing season. However, autumn rains cooled down the temperatures just enough to prevent overripening and preserve acidity and aromatics. Overall, quality is high in this vintage. Let's see how this 2025 Tavel Rosé is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU D'AQUERIA CRU DES CÔTES DU RHÔNE TAVEL ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#319368) (XD) - $25.95
This lovely organic rosé is a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Clairette, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Bourboulenc. Lovely, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers attractive and complex aromas of ripe red berry, strawberry, cherry, and cranberry nuanced with fine mineral undertones and accents of dried spice, and grapefruit citrus. The weighty, medium-full bodied palate is dry with delicious and complex red berry, dried spice, and stony mineral flavours, plus touches of grapefruit zest. It has clean, vibrant acidity, along with a slightly chalky and tannic textured mouthfeel on the slightly spicy mid-palate. Mineral notes linger on the long, textured finish. Always great and a highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

One other wine by Château d'Aqueria is available at the LCBO (in small quantities), while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

Yalumba Samuel's Collection Shiraz 2023 (Barossa) - Wine Review

2026-05-18T17:36:27.676-04:00

After enjoying the lovely 2023 Yalumba Galway Vintage Shiraz back in March, we go up a notch with tonight's red wine review from the same producer. This lovely, vegan, and certified sustainable Barossa Shiraz from Australia arrived at the LCBO as part of the Good Partners feature on Sustainable Winegrowing Australia in last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on May 9th.

Yalumba is Australia's oldest continuously family-owned winery and one of the country's most historically important wineries. It was founded by Samuel Smith in 1849 after he planted his first vines in the heart of the Barossa with a genuine respect for the land and a willingness to venture into the unknown.

Today, Yalumba is highly regarded for creating wines of authenticity and distinction, with sustainability an integral part of their success. Sustainability entered the picture at Yalumba in 1893, when Fred Caley Smith, the third generation of the family, took to the seas on a grand scientific discovery and returned with progressive horticultural developments that laid the foundation for sustainable viticulture and winemaking at Yalumba.

In 1985, Yalumba opened a new chapter when Robert Hill-Smith, the fifth generation of the family, became Managing Director at a time when the company was transitioning away from its strong reliance on fortified wines. Robert is widely credited for turning Yalumba into a well-respected producer of fine table wines, with a particular focus on premiumization, Rhône varieties, sustainability, and export markets. Robert also spearheaded the founding of Australia's First Families of Wine initiative, and in 2019 Yalumba became a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Daughters Jessica and Lucy Hill-Smith have also joined the business and represent the sixth generation of the family.

The well-respected Louisa Rose first joined Yalumba as a cellar hand during the 1992 vintage, eventually becoming Head of Winemaking at the family business for nearly two decades and one of Australia's most respected winemakers. In 2023, Louisa stepped into the role of Head of Sustainability and brings her vision, leadership, and voice to the future of Australian wine, while championing sustainable practices, progressive thinking, and a united industry. Sam Wigan joined the Yalumba family in 2001 and became Head Winemaker in 2023. Sam now leads a close-knit team of winemakers across the Hill-Smith family's stable and embodies the Yalumba philosophy with a love for bringing people together through storytelling, generosity, and the enjoyment of fine wine.

Yalumba has several collections of wines, and this particular wine is from their Samuel's Collection, which is their core premium range of wines. The range celebrates and honours their founder, Samuel Smith, who planted Yalumba's first vineyard over 170 years ago. Samuel had a spirit of embracing provenance and giving back to the land, which was the starting point for making this collection of fine wines possible. Samuel's Collection wines are designed to offer regional typicity and varietal transparency, alongside serious winemaking and drinkability at a moderate price.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Shiraz that was sourced from vineyards across the Barossa. The vines range from young (approx. 10–15 years old) to old (greater than 35 years), and are planted on a diverse range of sites that have slight variations in microclimates and soil types, such as red brown earths, sandy loams, and dark clay, all of which contributes to the complexity of this wine. Each parcel was vinified separately and fermented using a combination of both wild and cultured yeasts. The wines were matured for 10 months in Yalumba coopered French and Hungarian hogsheads, only 15% new, then blended and bottled prior to release.

The growing season in the 2023 vintage was delayed by several weeks due to abundant winter and spring rainfall, along with cooler than average temperatures in September and October. Further impacting the vintage were the windy conditions during flowering, which resulted in lower fruit set at some of the vineyards. Summer was relatively mild and allowed the grapes to slowly ripen, develop complexity, and thrive. From a late vintage that produced elegantly restrained wines with character and charm, let's see how this 2023 Barossa Shiraz is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

YALUMBA SAMUEL'S COLLECTION SHIRAZ 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, Barossa, South Australia (#12907) (XD) - $21.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this lovely Shiraz has a medium-high to highly aromatic nose that is deep and intense with ripe dark fruits, blackberry, black cherry, black pepper spice, oak spice, and dried herb aromas with a hint of mint. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has above average concentration and delicious ripe dark fruit, black cherry, cassis, blackberry, black pepper spice, and cedary oak flavours, plus hints of dried herb, meaty, and smoky mineral notes. Some minty notes on the mid-palate, alongside fresh acidity and smooth, supple, and fine-grained tannins. A touch warming, but still within balance. Savoury, cedary, and smoky mineral notes linger on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Several wines by Yalumba are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Woodman Wines & Spirits.

Tapiz Alta Collection San Pablo Vineyard Malbec 2023 (Argentina) - Wine Review

2026-05-15T17:39:34.213-04:00

Happy start to the long weekend! Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Malbec from Argentina that arrived at the LCBO in last weekend's May 9 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Fincas Patagónicas, one of Argentina's most prominent wine producers. It was founded in 2003 by Patricia Ortiz with the goal of crafting exceptional wines from Argentina's most distinctive terroirs. At Fincas Patagónicas, the winemaking philosophy combines traditional methods with innovative techniques to create exceptional wines from high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza to the Atlantic coast of Patagonia that truly express each area's unique terroir.

Fincas Patagónicas has several winery projects across Argentina, including Zolo and Wapisa, but Tapiz, where this wine is from, was their first. The state-of-the-art Tapiz winery is located in the high-altitude San Pablo region, within the Tunuyán department, of the Uco Valley, and is surrounded by estate vineyards. Under the guidance of Patricia, Tapiz is a pioneer in the region and helped develop the San Pablo Geographical Indication (GI).

Tapiz wines are crafted by the celebrated winemaking team of Fabian Valenzuela and famed Bordeaux winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet (winemaker of Petrus for 44 vintages), and are a beautiful tapestry (tapiz) of terroir and innovation. The wines of Tapiz combine sustainable winemaking traditions with modern innovation, along with a strong commitment to excellence which is reflected in their environmentally conscious approach and dedication to producing wines that truly express their unique terroir in San Pablo. The San Pablo GI benefits from the extremes of altitude, temperature, and soil heterogeneity, which allows the winemaking team to create full-bodied and concentrated wines that are elegant and balanced. Through her wineries, Patricia is dedicated to giving back to the environment through sustainable practices, while also encouraging responsible practices among their staff, suppliers, and customers.

This red wine is crafted using 100% Malbec that was grown at the San Pablo Estate Vineyard within the Uco Valley. The vineyard is situated at a high altitude of 1,350 metres (4,430 feet) above sea level, which is one of the highest vineyards in Mendoza. The vines average 14 years old and are planted on alluvial soils which have a diverse sandy loam texture, gravel, and significant deposits of calcareous material. The grapes were sustainably farmed and hand-harvested, and vinified by first undergoing a cold pre-maceration for 5 days at 8ºC. It underwent alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks for approximately 15 days at 28ºC, as well as 100% malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 10 months in French (85%) and American (15%) oak barrels.

Like the year prior, the 2023 vintage in Argentina was another roller-coaster vintage as recent years influenced by La Niña left the country in a state of drought, including the winter months which were unnaturally dry but with some polar influences. Spring frosts attacked nascent buds during budbreak, which massively cut yields in some parts of Mendoza. After the bouts of frost, the season settled into warm days, while the summer was the hottest and driest in years. The grapes ripened quickly, and those vineyards at altitude benefitted from diurnal temperature variation. The end result was an early harvest with concentrated fruit, fresh acidity, and modest alcohol levels. From a good vintage that produced age-worthy wines with great minerality and texture, let's see how this 2023 Malbec from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TAPIZ ALTA COLLECTION SAN PABLO VINEYARD MALBEC 2023 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#450155) (XD) - $20.95
This high altitude Malbec has lovely, open aromatics of medium-high intensity offering notes of ripe, crushed dark berry and blackberry aromas nuanced with hints of violet, mineral, savoury oak, earth, dried herb, and peppery spice. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has delicious ripe dark berry, blackberry, violet, dried herb, savoury earth, oak spice, and peppery replays joined by mineral accents on the flavour profile. It has crisp and fresh acidity, alongside supple, fine-grained, and gently chalky textured tannins. Clean and well-balanced throughout with dark berries, blackberry, savoury oak, earth, dried herb, and mineral notes on the long, gently tight finish. Enjoyable now, but should be even better in a couple of years, and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Fincas Patagónicas can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - DB Wine & Spirits.

El Enemigo El Mirador Single Vineyard Bonarda 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

2026-05-11T17:33:00.004-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely single vineyard Bonarda that arrived at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the April 25th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by El Enemigo Wines, a project co-founded in 2008 by two of Argentina's most notable wine figures - Adrianna Catena, the youngest daughter of Nicolás Catena, and winemaker Alejandro Vigil.

Since childhood, Adrianna has lived and breathed wine, and today she blends her experience in Academia in History with her passion for viticulture and winemaking. Alejandro Vigil was the "enfant terrible" of his family as he left school at the age of 14 to join a wine co-operative. However, he did keep up with his studying at night so as to not upset his mother. Alejandro graduated at the top of his class agricultural engineering, and at the age of 27 he became the head of soils division for the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) in Argentina. Since 2002, Alejandro has been the Chief Winemaker at Catena Zapata.

El Enemigo means "The Enemy", and reflects the personal philosophy of its founders, which is that the biggest enemy is oneself. The philosophy behind El Enemigo is to constantly strive to push boundaries and challenge personal limits. In this same spirit, the wines of El Enemigo emphasize Argentine terroir while focusing on old world winemaking techniques to create new world wines that are creative and energetic. Each wine is also crafted to be in balance between old world elegance and new world, fruit-driven intensity. El Enemigo Wines are produced in the southern foothills of Maipu, Mendoza, using grapes from a number of vineyards across the region. As a soil expert with a Master's Degree in both winemaking and irrigation management, the work of Alejandro Vigil has led to important developments in both vineyard management and winemaking in Argentina.

I've had the pleasure of tasting previous vintages of this wine, including most recently writing about the 2020 El Enemigo El Mirador Single Vineyard Bonarda a couple of years ago. Like previous vintages, this red wine is crafted using 100% Bonarda that was grown in a single vineyard within the El Mirador district of Rivadavia, in the central-north part of the province of Mendoza. The vineyard is situated at 650 metres (2,132 feet) above sea level and is planted on sand and deep clay soil. To vinify this wine, it underwent a wild yeast fermentation at a fairly warm temperature of 28C (82F) for 15 days, followed by a 15-day infusion with minimal movement to gently extract colour, aromas, and flavours. The wine was aged for 12 months in foudre, then rested in bottle prior to release.

According to Alejandro, the 2022 vintage in Mendoza was an exceptional year from every possible qualitative standpoint. It was a roller-coaster vintage with spring frosts followed by a relatively cool and damp season, and then another frost to end spring, which cut yields. Much needed rain arrived at the end and spring and into summer, which refreshed the vines. After the rains passed and the weather cleared, there was just enough heat for red grape varieties such as Bonarda to reach phenolic ripeness in time for harvest. The end result was expressive wines with optimal acidity, concentration, and ripeness. From a vintage that Alejandro Vigil says that "this is the best year that I have lived through", let's see how this 2022 Bonarda from Rivadavia, Mendoza, is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

EL ENEMIGO EL MIRADOR SINGLE VINEYARD BONARDA 2022 - Rivadavia, Mendoza, Argentina (#15120) (XD) - $29.95
This lovely, single vineyard Bonarda has a fresh and lifted medium-high intensity nose that offers a ripe mix of red, black, and purple fruit with plummy, black cherry, blackberry, and dried herb aromas layered over earthy oak, cocoa, and spices. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has delicious dark fruited blackberry, plum, black cherry, dried herb, oak spice, and earthy flavours, plus mineral accents. It has fresh and succulent acidity, alongside smooth, elegant, and fine-grained tannins with good structure and a subtle chalky grip on the back palate. Plum and dark berry notes taper to oak spice and minerals on the long, dry, and savoury finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the coming 7-8 years. Score: 91+ pts

Several ultra-premium wines by El Enemigo are available in small quantities at the LCBO, while their very popular Chardonnay (and one of my personal favourites) will be arriving in VINTAGES later this month. The full range of El Enemigo Wines can also be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

May 9, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Good Vibes & Sustainable Wines

2026-05-10T05:00:00.008-04:00

Happy Mother's Day! Here are my top wine picks from the May 9, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), which is titled "Good Vibes & Sustainable Wines". There are 92 products included in this release, and while this is not an expensive release, the number of wines priced below $20 continues to dwindle with less than one-third below this mark. Overall, it is a good release with the sweet spot of quality-to-price ratio falling between $20 and $30. All the wines are readily available for purchase at LCBO outlets both in-store and online.

We'll begin with the feature story of the release that includes thirteen wines that offer good vibes with a nod to sustainability. There are four recommended buys from the thematic, beginning with a 2024 Chardonnay from Niagara, along with a Pecorino from Abruzzo. The lone red wine recommendation from the feature story is made with Cariñena (Carignan) from Spain, while the dry rosé is crafted with Pinot Noir from Chile.

My top red wine picks from the main release begins with the Purple Angel from Chile that is a blend of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, followed by a Pinot Noir from New Zealand. Among the blends, the Cab Sauv from South Africa is actually composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Malbec, while the Valpolicella is a blend of 45% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, and 15% Rondinella. Among the mono-varietal red wines, the Chénas from Beaujolais is made with Gamay, while the Rioja is Tempranillo. There are also a couple of Barossa Shiraz wines from Australia, as well as a fine Malbec from Argentina.

Among my white wine recommendations, there are a trio of gently off-dry Riesling wines - one from British Columbia, one from Prince Edward County, and one from Alsace. Other white wines include a 2021 Chardonnay from Niagara, a Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige in northern Italy, and an off-dry Pinot Gris from New Zealand. And lastly, there is a fine Alvarinho from Portugal.

Other rosé wine recommendations in this release include a rosé from Provence that is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, and 5% Tibouren, along with a McLaren Vale rosé that is crafted with Grenache. Among the sparkling wines, the Grand Cru Champagne is 80/20 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while the bubbly from South Africa is composed of 52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

PALACIO DEL BURGO CRIANZA 2022 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#18939) (XD) - $15.95
MAXWELL THE ORCHARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#49388) (XD) - $19.95
NEIL ELLIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#41448) (XD) - $19.95
TAPIZ ALTA COLLECTION SAN PABLO VINEYARD MALBEC 2023 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#450155) (XD) - $20.95 90+ pts wine review
VAUCHER PÈRE & FILS CHÉNAS 2024 - AOC, Beaujolais, France (#48376) (XD) - $21.95
YALUMBA SAMUEL'S COLLECTION SHIRAZ 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, Barossa, South Australia (#12907) (XD) - $21.95 91+ pts wine review
BRIGALDARA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2023 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#16090) (XD) - $22.95
LIBRE Y SALVAJE VINO DE PARAJE CARIÑENA 2021 - DOP, Spain (#50357) (XD) - $24.95
SEPPELTSFIELD VILLAGE SERIES BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2023 - Barossa, South Australia (#49385) (XD) - $27.95
WHITEHAVEN GREG SOUTHERN VALLEYS SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2021 - Vegan, Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#48068) (XD) - $39.95 91+ pts wine review
MONTES PURPLE ANGEL 2021 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#62364) (XD) - $105.95 94+ pts wine review

White Wine:

PIERRE SPARR SOL CALCAIRE RIESLING 2022 - AOC Alsace, France (#10683) (D) - $19.95
VILLA MARIA CELLAR SELECTION PINOT GRIS 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#447490) (D) - $21.95
QUAILS' GATE DRY RIESLING 2025 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#308312) (D) - $21.95 91 pts wine review
ALOIS LAGEDER TERRA ALPINA PINOT GRIGIO 2024 - IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Alto Adige, Italy (#681429) (XD) - $22.95
RAPAURA SPRINGS RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#388421) (XD) - $23.95
TORRE ZAMBRA POGGIO SALAIA TERRE D'ABRUZZO PECORINO 2025 - IGT, Abruzzo, Italy (#49996) (XD) - $24.95 89 pts wine review
LIGHTHALL RIESLING 2023 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#50360) (D) - $24.95
AVELEDA SOLOS DE GRANITO ALVARINHO 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal (#17514) (XD) - $24.95
BACHELDER L'ARDOISE NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2024 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#302083) (XD) - $26.95
WENDING HOME ESTATE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#44853) (XD) - $34.95 91 pts wine review

Rosé Wine:

CASAS DEL BOSQUE BOTANIC SERIES PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2025 - Las Dichas, Valle de Casablanca, Chile (#15277) (XD) - $17.95
DANDELION FAIRYTALE OF MCLAREN VALE ROSÉ 2025 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#43354) (XD) - $19.95 88+ pts wine review
M DE MINUTY CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#575316) (XD) - $28.95

Sparkling Wine:

GRAHAM BECK MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT PINOT NOIR / CHARDONNAY ROSÉ SPARKLING - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#175588) (XD) - $24.95 90+ pts wine review
PIERRE PAILLARD LES PARCELLES BOUZY EXTRA BRUT GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#34607) (XD) - $105.95 93+ pts wine review