Astica Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2011

May 8th, 2012 Chuck Posted in Argentina, White Blend No Comments »

Light straw, greenish color. Clean on the nose with
a touch of mixed citrus fruit. Crispy, fruity and
refreshing in the mouth. The acidity of the
Sauvignon is balanced by the fullness and length
of the Semillón.
A great value wine that was well received
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste lemon, mineral, floral
Smell citrus, floral, tropical fruit
Food apertif, fish
Sweetness off dry
Price $7.95
LCBO# 359083
Score 4




Pillitteri Gewurztraminer Riesling Fusion 2010

March 25th, 2012 Chuck Posted in Canada, Gewürztraminer, Riesling No Comments »

An excellent buy that is full of flavour and aroma. Goes well with the listed foods or simply as an aperitif
Blend: 51% Gewurztraminer 49% Riesling
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste peach, cantelope, floral
Smell peach, cantelope, pineapple
Food seafood, chinese
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $12.95
LCBO# 349126
Score 4.5




Torre Varano Taburno Falanghina 2009

February 11th, 2012 Chuck Posted in Falanghina, Italy No Comments »

Native to the Campania region of Southern Italy, the Falanghina grape makes full-bodied and well-structured wines.
Release Date: Aug 6, 2011
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste apple, melon, floral
Smell pear, apple, mineral
Food calamari
Sweetness extra dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 106351
Score 3.5




The Beach House Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2010

November 5th, 2011 Chuck Posted in South Africa, White Blend No Comments »

Most people aren’t fans of either Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon, this wine won’t change their minds.
Made from 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon in South Africa (Cape Coastal Region)
Tip: chill well
At a Glance
Taste gooseberry, lemongrass, bitter citrus
Smell green apple, gooseberry, lemongrass
Food sushi, crab, shrimp
Sweetness off dry
Price $9.95
LCBO# 122390
Score 2.5




Huff Estates Rosé 2007

September 10th, 2011 Chuck Posted in Canada, Rosé No Comments »

It’s true, not all pink wines are sweet and syrup like. Here’s a dry to off dry rose that has a serious side to it.
Seems to only be available via the winery
Tip: Serve well chilled
At a Glance
Taste cranberry, grapefruit, grass
Smell grapefruit, herbaceous, lychee
Food appetizers, salmon
Sweetness off dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 0
Score 3




Open Riesling-Gewürztraminer 2010

August 3rd, 2011 Chuck Posted in Canada, Gewürztraminer, Riesling No Comments »

This VQA fuses two great varietals and the outcome is a success in my books since characteristics from both grapes are allowed to shine through. The palette is crisp all around with a slightly sweet yet tart citrus finish.
This bottle was well received by 3 of 3 white wine drinkers at the table.
Tip: Serve well chilled
At a Glance
Taste pear, tropical fruit, floral
Smell pear, citrus, lychee
Food thai, salad
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $11.95
LCBO# 134965
Score 4




Pelee Island Gewürztraminer 2009

January 31st, 2011 Chuck Posted in Canada, Gewürztraminer 1 Comment »

If you’re looking for a sweeter white wine with loads of honey and pear notes, look no further. Serve this nice and cold but take it easy, as the easy drinking nature hides it’s 12.5% alcohol content very well!
This is the non-VQA version, do I mind? nope. Watch for the hint of spice on the finish.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste sweet fruit, honey, pear
Smell pear, honeydew, honey
Food apertif, chinese, stir fry
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $10.95
LCBO# 135970
Score 4.5




Fetzer Pinot Grigio 2009

December 22nd, 2010 Chuck Posted in Pinot Grigio, USA No Comments »

Unfortunately nothing great to report on this 2009 white, I had some high hopes based on the 2007 vintage but 2009’s did not show as well.
Slightly bitter on the finish
Tip: serve chilled
At a Glance
Taste lime, melon, bitter apple
Smell melon, lime, floral
Food tapas
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.45
LCBO# 34041
Score 2.5




Fetzer Sauvignon Blanc 2009

December 16th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Sauvignon Blanc, USA 1 Comment »

Being very dry and heavy on the alcohol, this white may not appeal to everyone.
A friend told me their Pinot Grigio is very nice, review to come.
90% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Viognier
Tip: serve well chilled
At a Glance
Taste grassy, grapefruit, gooseberry
Smell melon, grass, floral
Food herbed tilapia fillet
Sweetness extra dry
Price $11.95
LCBO# 34033
Score 3




Henry of Pelham - Sibling Rivalry White 2009

November 19th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Canada, White Blend No Comments »

This bottle would be a perfect one to open amongst white lovers with different palates. The blend of Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer is well balanced and anything but bland.
Special thanks to Daniel Speck for the tasting and history of the brand.
Tip: serve chilled
At a Glance
Taste lime, citrus, apple
Smell citrus, peach, floral
Food mango chicken salad
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $13.95
LCBO# 126144
Score 4




Ogio Pinot Grigio 2009

August 20th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Italy, Pinot Grigio No Comments »

Here’s a white that when served cold is very crisp and acidic. The major flavours and aromas are definitely lemon and citrus.

Serve well chilled
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste lemon, citrus
Smell pear, citrus, lemon
Food fish, pesto chicken
Sweetness off dry
Price $8.85
LCBO# 86199
Score 3




Naked Grape White Zinfandel Pinot Noir

July 8th, 2010 Chuck Posted in USA, White Zinfandel No Comments »

Friend of the site Vesna has deemed this white zin to be the best of the best. Take her word over mine on this varietal. Although the tasting notes are by yours truly, because c’mon…they don’t give websites to just anybody ;)

Overall this is a great summer sipper to be placed in the ice bucket among the beers, but only if there are ladies around so you can explain to passers by that it belongs to them.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste white grape, strawberry, kiwi
Smell strawberry, white grape, syrup
Food apertif, salads
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $9.95
LCBO# 0
Score 4




Cotnari Tămâioasă Românească 2007

June 13th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Romania, Tamaioasa No Comments »

We don’t review many sweet wines here but I’m glad this bottle came along. Not only is it a delicious dessert wine, it also hit two milestones for the site: The first Romanian wine and the first bottle from the Tămâioasă Românească varietal.

I’d like to send a big thank you to Angelica for the bottle, it was enjoyed at Sunday lunch with the family.
Tip: serve well chilled
At a Glance
Taste honey, white rasins, ginger
Smell honey, citrus, floral
Food dessert wine, pork
Sweetness extra sweet
Price $14.95
LCBO# 143123
Score 4.5




French Cross Vineyard Blush

May 10th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Canada, White Zinfandel No Comments »

A light-bodied wine with sweet strawberry notes all around.

As always with blush wines, chill well
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste white grape, strawberry, peach
Smell pixie sticks, peach syrup, kiwi
Food ham, sandwiches
Sweetness sweet
Price $7.95
LCBO# 459925
Score 3




Voga Pinot Grigio

March 21st, 2010 Sean Posted in Italy, Pinot Grigio 7 Comments »

We eat with our eyes, and shop with them too. A lot of fuss has been made online about the shape of this bottle. Well the bottle is cute, and reminds me of VOSS Water from Norway, which if you like trends than this is right up your alley. However, I’m more interested in what is in the bottle, as you should be too. I had major issues with this wine, so much so that I had to pickup a second bottle and recruit two regular wine drinkers (thanks Dana & Lauren) to provide a second opinion.
Seeing as the bottle is very non-traditional, I was surprised to find a stopper in it. This was just the beginning of what was becoming an awkward experience. The next item at issue was the smell. Pinot Grigio is known for a subtle, slightly floral or citrus leaf scent. The key to that last sentence was the word ’subtle’. I was greeted by an aggressive burnt wood scent, which seemed to be competing with Lemon Pledge. My volunteer tasters both noted the strange aroma, and were somewhat baffled by it. Finally we tasted. The first sip was, shall we say…unpleasant. But, this is where things begun to change. The second and third sips improved to the point where the wine became enjoyable. To describe the first sip, we settled on comparing it to the aftertaste of eating a sour candy, which to some isn’t always a bad thing.

We are careful when we encounter a wine that doesn’t live up to our expectations, especially those receiving a lot of media attention, but this just isn’t a winner in our books. Especially for the price.

Your thoughts and comments on this wine are much appreciated!
Tip: chill well
At a Glance
Taste green apple, lemon, citric acid
Smell burnt wood, chemical
Food seafood
Sweetness off dry
Price $13.50
LCBO# 669226
Score 1.5
Voga Pinot Grigio




Citra Pinot Grigio 2008

September 7th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Italy, Pinot Grigio No Comments »

It’s good to keep a bottle of this value grigio from Abruzzo Italy in the fridge if you ever want a cold glass of white on a weekday evening.
On the plus side (or minus for some) this vintage weighs in at 13%
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste lemon, lime, golden apple
Smell lemon, mineral, golden apple
Food appetizers, brie
Sweetness dry
Price $7.95
LCBO# 17483
Score 2.5




Rosehall Run Chardonnay Cuvée County 2007

August 16th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Canada, Chardonnay No Comments »

This crisp, fruit forward chardonnay from Prince Edward County is a good choice for a Sunday lunch
Varietal Composition: 59% Chardonnay; 41% Chardonnay Musqué
Release Date: March 1, 2009
At a Glance
Taste golden apple, floral, light oak
Smell white grapefruit, golden apple, pear
Food fish, salad, goat cheese
Sweetness dry
Price $17.95
LCBO# 132928
Score 4




Strewn Riesling Gewürztraminer 2007

April 9th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Canada, Gewürztraminer, Riesling No Comments »

This fusion of whites provides a deep bouquet and crisp palette. It’s an ok buy, but I would recommend the Pillitteri over it and even Strewn’s regular riesling.
Best as an aperitif
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste pineapple, apple, cinnamon
Smell tropical fruit, pineapple, pear
Food aperitif
Sweetness off dry
Price $11.95
LCBO# 467662
Score 3




D’arenberg The Stump Jump White 2007

March 16th, 2009 Sean Posted in Australia, White Blend No Comments »

The thermometer broke the 0 mark this weekend, which means its time to get ready for summer by chilling some white wine. Wanting to ease in to the white wine season I picked a blend hoping for something easy going and well rounded. This wine certainly achieved this. Like it’s name, it did jump out of the glass, but in a good way.
Comprised of 62% Riesling, 18% Sauvignon Blanc, 8% Marsanne, 6% Viognier and 6% Chardonnay
Tip: Chill Well
At a Glance
Taste mixed citrus, lemon, light oak
Smell gooseberry, pear
Food cashews, tart fruit
Sweetness dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 922203
Score 4
Bottle Image




Strewn Semi-Dry Riesling 2006

January 11th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Canada, Riesling No Comments »

This pale straw coloured riesling, served well chilled looked, smelled and tasted great in my new Riedel glassware. The past few cold winters didn’t affect the riesling vines as much as others, which may be why it’s the hottest white on the market right now.
Overall this is a great buy: crisp, acidic and flavourful. Proof why you should keep buying your whites from Ontario.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste grapefruit, lemon, pineapple
Smell pineapple, tropical fruit, floral
Food pork, chinese
Sweetness off dry
Price $11.95
LCBO# 616599
Score 4




Gray Fox Chardonnay 2007

November 16th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Chardonnay, USA 4 Comments »

I have found my house chardonnay. This vintage has layers of great flavours and aromas, it’s priced well and is readily available.
People who are weary of the heavily oaked, buttery and spiced chardonnays don’t have to tread lightly here, this bottle is nothing of the kind. Drink up.
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste apple, citrus, mineral
Smell golden apple, lime, grapefruit
Food roast chicken, pork chops
Sweetness dry
Price $7.95
LCBO# 614271
Score 4




Pillitteri Gewurztraminer Riesling Fusion 2006

October 22nd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, White Blend No Comments »

An excellent buy that is full of flavour and aroma. In addition to the At a Glance section: the nose also has some spice and flint to it, while the palate is tropical, floral and citrus. How all this character got into this one bottle, I’m not sure but I hope Pillitteri keeps doing what they’re doing.
Blend: 51% Gewürztraminer, 49% Riesling
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste grapefruit, pineapple, peach
Smell grapefruit, lychee, floral
Food ham, chinese takeout, chicken salad
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.95
LCBO# 349126
Score 5




Trumpour’s Mill Pinot Gris 2006

September 20th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Pinot Grigio No Comments »

Newly available at the LCBO, The Grange of Price Edward has issued this very Canadian / New World pinot gris. This is a little more than I would usually be caught paying for a grigio but I wanted to be part of this wine’s grand entrance.
With a fairly rich and full mouthfeel, this white will go very well with a spicy Asian dish or takeout.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste tart apple, straw, citrus
Smell golden apple, apricot, peach
Food spicy asian
Sweetness off dry
Price $17.00
LCBO# 69336
Score 2.5




Spinelli Chardonnay Terre di Chieti

August 23rd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Chardonnay, Italy No Comments »

So far, Spinelli wines have offered good value for their almost unbeatable prices (by LCBO standards anyways). Here we have an unoaked chardonnay that is crisp and acidic. If you like chardonnay but find it too heavy, give this Italian a try as it doesn’t show any hints of oak, butter or vanilla - tell-tale signs that your wine is drowning in wood.
Sean mentioned that this vintage reminded him of the hard cider named Strongbow. I guess my taste and aroma notes are right on.
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste apple, lime, citrus
Smell pear, golden apple
Food antipasto
Sweetness dry
Price $6.95
LCBO# 474239
Score 2.5




Kittling Ridge White Zinfanel Vidal

August 18th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, White Zinfandel 1 Comment »

Although I don’t keep white zin on hand, this white does make a pretty good summer sipper. Yes, I was surprised…the varietal I usually call ’sugar wine’ was sweet but not tooth-decay sweet or syrupy.
I would choose this bottle over the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi. It’s much more flavourful and expressive.
Tip: chill well
At a Glance
Taste strawberry, kiwi, melon
Smell strawberry, watermelon, bananna
Food apertif, fresh fruit
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $9.25
LCBO# 534693
Score 3




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