WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under/ over $20 for the June 6, 2026 release.
By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of Gothic Epicures Writing --- deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor -- no winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.
What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
THEME • Chilled Reds
TOP White Wines UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA 2025 $17.95
40441 MICHALAKIS ASSYRTIKO 2024 $17.95
222802 SAN FELICE VERMENTINO 2024 $18.95
933424 MULDERBOSCH SAUVIGNON BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2025 $16.95
51024 F'OZ ESCOLHA VINHO VERDE 2023 $14.95
224642 JOSEPH CATTIN PINOT BLANC ALSACE 2024 $17.95
25810 JULES LEBÈGUE GRAVES 2024 $17.95
TOP Red Wines UNDER $20 for this release.
========================================
683201 WAKEFIELD ESTATE MERLOT 2025 $19.95
37937 MONTES LIMITED SELECTION PINOT NOIR 2023 $16.95
48197 BISQUERTT CRAZY ROWS CINSAULT 2024 $16.95
57513 TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2023 $19.95
426247 CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES BORDEAUX 2020 $18.95
12990 CHÂTEAU CAMPLONG GRANDE RÉSERVE CORBIÈRES 2024 $14.95
47897 CAVINO HISTOROOTS XINOMAVRO GREECE 2023 $15.95
269985 ILLUMINATI RIPAROSSO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2023 $17.95
50813 MONTE SCHIAVO MARZAIOLA LACRIMA DI MORRO D'ALBA 2024 $17.95
20711 MONSARAZ RESERVA PORTUGAL 2023 $17.95
37517 LUIS MARIN OLD VINE AMETHYST EDITION GARNACHA CRIANZA 2023 $16.95
574624 FLAVIUM SELECCIÓN MENCÍA 2023 $14.95
TOP White Wines OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
48973 NUITON-BEAUNOY CÔTES DE OR BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY 2023 $29.95
556340 LA CHABLISIENNE LE FINAGE CHABLIS 2024 $37.95
82255 ROGER & DIDIER RAIMBAULT SANCERRE 2024 $42.95
43622 BACK 10 START FROM SCRATCH CHARDONNAY VQA 2023 $28.95
TOP Red Wines OVER $20 for this release.
=======================================
46463 REDSTONE REDSTONE SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC VQA 2022 $40.95
51246 THE ORGANIZED CRIME SACRILEGE RED VQA 2023 $24.95
427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR VQA 2023 $33.95
203364 ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 $23.95
11359 CHÂTEAU DES CAPITANS JULIÉNAS 2022 $26.95
285601 MARCHAND-TAWSE CÔTE D'OR BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2022 $48.95
50571 GORGHI TONDI DUMÈ FRAPPATO 2025 $22.95
977629 MAZZEI FONTERUTOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 $24.95
32536 TEZZA VALPANTENA ORGANIC AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2020 $59.95
49820 ALTOS DE RIOJA ALTOS R CRIANZA 2021 $25.95
558916 GARZÓN RESERVA TANNAT URUGUAY 2023 $23.95
ROSE TABLE WINE [RECOMMENDED]
===============
51245 ROSEWOOD FLORA ROSÉ VQA 2024 $19.95
498535 MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ VQA 2025 $23.95
38227 WESTCOTT PINOT NOIR ROSÉ VQA 2025 $22.95
45075 TAWSE GROWERS BLEND ROSÉ VQA 2025 $18.95
177840 PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARD CABERNET ROSÉ VQA 2024 $16.95
37403 TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA 150 ANNIVERSARY ROSÉ CHILE 2024 $16.95
719062 FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2025 $16.95
39595 KIR-YIANNI XINOMAVRO ROSÉ 2025 $19.95
50387 BRILLA PINOT GRIGIO ROSATO 2025 $19.95
49815 EL GORU ROSADO GARNACHA ROSÉ 2025 $14.95
15265 BODEGA GARZÓN ESTATE PINOT ROSÉ DE CORTE URUGUAY 2025 $19.95
SPARKLING WINES [RECOMMENDED]
===============
234161 JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT SPARKLING VQA 2018 $34.95
105353 CA' DEL BOSCO CUVÉE PRESTIGE FRANCIACORTA $46.95
556654 KRONE BOREALIS VINTAGE CUVÉE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING SOUTH AFRICA $22.95
385088 JUVE Y CAMPS PINOT NOIR BRUT ROSÉ CAVA $26.95
LCBO LIMITED TIME OFFERS
Save on these wines through to June 21, 2026...
WHITE WINES and Rose
MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
559088 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, vegan
341586 (D – 13 g/L) 750 ml $15.95
NOW $14.95 Save $1.00
KIM CRAWFORD CHARDONNAY
Marlborough/Hawke’s Bay,
East Coast, New Zealand
991950 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
SANTA MARGHERITA PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Valdadige, Alto Adige, Italy, sustainable
687558 (XD – 2 g/L) 375 ml $11.95
NOW $10.95 Save $1.00
THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER’S
BLEND RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
24133 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
VIGNERONS DE BUXY
BUISSONNIER MONTAGNY
AC, Burgundy, France
382879 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South
Island, New Zealand
316570 (XD – 4 g/L)
750 ml REG. $20.95
NOW $17.95, save $3
SANTA MARGHERITA PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Valdadige, Alto
Adige, Italy, sustainable
106450 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $21.95
NOW $19.95, save $2
WILLM RESERVE PINOT GRIS
AC Alsace, France
42495 (XD – 8 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WITHER HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island,
New Zealand, sustainable
919514 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
RED WINES
CALVET RÉSERVE DES REMPARTS
SAINT ÉMILION
AC, Bordeaux, France
31898 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
CATHEDRAL CELLAR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
WO Western Cape, South Africa
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA
CONCHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Puente Alto, Chile
337238 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
FAUSTINO I GRAN RESERVA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
976662 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $31.95
NOW $28.95 Save $3.00
LUCKETT THE OLD BILL RED BLEND
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia
49656 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
LUIGI BOSCA INSIGNA MALBEC
Mendoza, Argentina
452672 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
MONTE ZOVO SA’ SOLIN
VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
650713 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
PÉREZ CRUZ GRAN RESERVA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Maipo Valley, Chile
694208 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
RIVERA IL FALCONE RISERVA
CASTEL DEL MONTE
DOCG, Puglia, Italy
177295 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $26.95
NOW $23.95 Save $3.00
TESSELLAE OLD VINES
GRENACHE/SYRAH/MOURVÈDRE
AP Côtes du Roussillon, Midi, France
343517 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
149237 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
TOMMASI AMARONE DELLA
VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO
DOCG, Veneto, Italy
356220 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $53.95
NOW $48.95 Save $5.00
TRIUS RED ‘THE ICON’
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
303800 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3.00
TWO HANDS GNARLY DUDES SHIRAZ
Barossa Valley, South Australia
660043 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00
VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER
CÔTE CHALONNAISE PINOT NOIR
AC, Burgundy, France
28284 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
Some recent wine tasting notes --
REPORT ON PINOT GRIGIO DELLE VENEZIE DOC TASTING:
The Date and Time: Wednesday May 13 6:30 to 9:30 PM
The Event: An evening of Pinot Grigio in Toronto on Pinot Grigio day.
The Venue: Paris, Paris on Ossington
The Target Audience: influencers and a few wine writers, wine trade people.
The Availability/Catalogue: uncertain, no price lists were distributed for the 80 or so wines {all Pinot Grigio}
The Quote/Background: We were served Pinot Grigio in a variety of forms, but here the main form was also one area: Pinot Grigio DOC Delle Venezie -- co-hosted by the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto. 45 wineries were presented, about 2/3 from the Lowland areas and the balance from a higher altitude. Some of these wineries were La Marca, Allegrini, Borga, Botter, Tommasi, Asolani, Farina, Ecco Domani, Villa Sandi, Pasqua, Cavit -- wineries with agency representation for Ontario's LCBO.
Most of the wines were still, and this made them versatile and easy-drinking, with a freshness and minerality; some were dated 2025 already (e.g. Monte Tondo, Bosco dei Cirmioli). Overall, a whopping 82% of Italian production of Pinot Grigio is in the Delle Venezie area -- and 42% of Pinot Grigio plantings world-wide are in Italy. Overall 218 million bottles are exported: 96% of the total vintage. Pinot Grigio is officially permitted to be produced in four distinct styles: Frizzante (light semi-sparkling), Spumante (sparkling Charmat), Fermo (still and the most popular), and Ramato (pinkish gray skin-contact).
The Wines: I confined myself mostly to the sparkling wines. All the wines here were from the Pinot Grigio delle Venezie grapes.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Adele DOP 2023 Brut Nature
-Enotria Viajo NV
-Sessantacampi 2024 Extra Brut
-Casaforte 2024
-Bella Sera 2024
-Cantina de Gambellara 2024
-S.Osvaldo 2024
-Con
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Monte Tondo 2025
-Bosco dei Cirmioli 2025
-Ponte Brut Borgo Molino Ciari 2025
-Conviriale 2024
-Astoria Alisia 2025
-Rose Ramato 2025
The Food: I did not stay the whole evening, but there appeared to be a steady flow of plattered food coming at me -- such as skewered cooked meats, deep fried fish balls, empanadas with cheese, caviar fish eggs on biscuit.
The Downside: it was a social event evening after a difficult day dealing with a lot of people.
The Upside: a chance to taste a full range of one varietal.
The Contact Person: info@dellevenezie.it; b.marassi@ice.it
The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90
By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of Gothic Epicures Writing --- deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor -- no winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.
What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
THEME • Chilled Reds
TOP White Wines UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA 2025 $17.95
40441 MICHALAKIS ASSYRTIKO 2024 $17.95
222802 SAN FELICE VERMENTINO 2024 $18.95
933424 MULDERBOSCH SAUVIGNON BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2025 $16.95
51024 F'OZ ESCOLHA VINHO VERDE 2023 $14.95
224642 JOSEPH CATTIN PINOT BLANC ALSACE 2024 $17.95
25810 JULES LEBÈGUE GRAVES 2024 $17.95
TOP Red Wines UNDER $20 for this release.
========================================
683201 WAKEFIELD ESTATE MERLOT 2025 $19.95
37937 MONTES LIMITED SELECTION PINOT NOIR 2023 $16.95
48197 BISQUERTT CRAZY ROWS CINSAULT 2024 $16.95
57513 TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2023 $19.95
426247 CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES BORDEAUX 2020 $18.95
12990 CHÂTEAU CAMPLONG GRANDE RÉSERVE CORBIÈRES 2024 $14.95
47897 CAVINO HISTOROOTS XINOMAVRO GREECE 2023 $15.95
269985 ILLUMINATI RIPAROSSO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2023 $17.95
50813 MONTE SCHIAVO MARZAIOLA LACRIMA DI MORRO D'ALBA 2024 $17.95
20711 MONSARAZ RESERVA PORTUGAL 2023 $17.95
37517 LUIS MARIN OLD VINE AMETHYST EDITION GARNACHA CRIANZA 2023 $16.95
574624 FLAVIUM SELECCIÓN MENCÍA 2023 $14.95
TOP White Wines OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
48973 NUITON-BEAUNOY CÔTES DE OR BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY 2023 $29.95
556340 LA CHABLISIENNE LE FINAGE CHABLIS 2024 $37.95
82255 ROGER & DIDIER RAIMBAULT SANCERRE 2024 $42.95
43622 BACK 10 START FROM SCRATCH CHARDONNAY VQA 2023 $28.95
TOP Red Wines OVER $20 for this release.
=======================================
46463 REDSTONE REDSTONE SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC VQA 2022 $40.95
51246 THE ORGANIZED CRIME SACRILEGE RED VQA 2023 $24.95
427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR VQA 2023 $33.95
203364 ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 $23.95
11359 CHÂTEAU DES CAPITANS JULIÉNAS 2022 $26.95
285601 MARCHAND-TAWSE CÔTE D'OR BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2022 $48.95
50571 GORGHI TONDI DUMÈ FRAPPATO 2025 $22.95
977629 MAZZEI FONTERUTOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 $24.95
32536 TEZZA VALPANTENA ORGANIC AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2020 $59.95
49820 ALTOS DE RIOJA ALTOS R CRIANZA 2021 $25.95
558916 GARZÓN RESERVA TANNAT URUGUAY 2023 $23.95
ROSE TABLE WINE [RECOMMENDED]
===============
51245 ROSEWOOD FLORA ROSÉ VQA 2024 $19.95
498535 MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ VQA 2025 $23.95
38227 WESTCOTT PINOT NOIR ROSÉ VQA 2025 $22.95
45075 TAWSE GROWERS BLEND ROSÉ VQA 2025 $18.95
177840 PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARD CABERNET ROSÉ VQA 2024 $16.95
37403 TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA 150 ANNIVERSARY ROSÉ CHILE 2024 $16.95
719062 FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2025 $16.95
39595 KIR-YIANNI XINOMAVRO ROSÉ 2025 $19.95
50387 BRILLA PINOT GRIGIO ROSATO 2025 $19.95
49815 EL GORU ROSADO GARNACHA ROSÉ 2025 $14.95
15265 BODEGA GARZÓN ESTATE PINOT ROSÉ DE CORTE URUGUAY 2025 $19.95
SPARKLING WINES [RECOMMENDED]
===============
234161 JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT SPARKLING VQA 2018 $34.95
105353 CA' DEL BOSCO CUVÉE PRESTIGE FRANCIACORTA $46.95
556654 KRONE BOREALIS VINTAGE CUVÉE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING SOUTH AFRICA $22.95
385088 JUVE Y CAMPS PINOT NOIR BRUT ROSÉ CAVA $26.95
LCBO LIMITED TIME OFFERS
Save on these wines through to June 21, 2026...
WHITE WINES and Rose
MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
559088 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, vegan
341586 (D – 13 g/L) 750 ml $15.95
NOW $14.95 Save $1.00
KIM CRAWFORD CHARDONNAY
Marlborough/Hawke’s Bay,
East Coast, New Zealand
991950 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
SANTA MARGHERITA PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Valdadige, Alto Adige, Italy, sustainable
687558 (XD – 2 g/L) 375 ml $11.95
NOW $10.95 Save $1.00
THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER’S
BLEND RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
24133 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
VIGNERONS DE BUXY
BUISSONNIER MONTAGNY
AC, Burgundy, France
382879 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South
Island, New Zealand
316570 (XD – 4 g/L)
750 ml REG. $20.95
NOW $17.95, save $3
SANTA MARGHERITA PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Valdadige, Alto
Adige, Italy, sustainable
106450 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $21.95
NOW $19.95, save $2
WILLM RESERVE PINOT GRIS
AC Alsace, France
42495 (XD – 8 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WITHER HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island,
New Zealand, sustainable
919514 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
RED WINES
CALVET RÉSERVE DES REMPARTS
SAINT ÉMILION
AC, Bordeaux, France
31898 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
CATHEDRAL CELLAR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
WO Western Cape, South Africa
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA
CONCHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Puente Alto, Chile
337238 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
FAUSTINO I GRAN RESERVA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
976662 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $31.95
NOW $28.95 Save $3.00
LUCKETT THE OLD BILL RED BLEND
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia
49656 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
LUIGI BOSCA INSIGNA MALBEC
Mendoza, Argentina
452672 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
MONTE ZOVO SA’ SOLIN
VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
650713 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
PÉREZ CRUZ GRAN RESERVA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Maipo Valley, Chile
694208 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
RIVERA IL FALCONE RISERVA
CASTEL DEL MONTE
DOCG, Puglia, Italy
177295 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $26.95
NOW $23.95 Save $3.00
TESSELLAE OLD VINES
GRENACHE/SYRAH/MOURVÈDRE
AP Côtes du Roussillon, Midi, France
343517 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
149237 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
TOMMASI AMARONE DELLA
VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO
DOCG, Veneto, Italy
356220 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $53.95
NOW $48.95 Save $5.00
TRIUS RED ‘THE ICON’
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
303800 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3.00
TWO HANDS GNARLY DUDES SHIRAZ
Barossa Valley, South Australia
660043 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00
VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER
CÔTE CHALONNAISE PINOT NOIR
AC, Burgundy, France
28284 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
Some recent wine tasting notes --
REPORT ON PINOT GRIGIO DELLE VENEZIE DOC TASTING:
The Date and Time: Wednesday May 13 6:30 to 9:30 PM
The Event: An evening of Pinot Grigio in Toronto on Pinot Grigio day.
The Venue: Paris, Paris on Ossington
The Target Audience: influencers and a few wine writers, wine trade people.
The Availability/Catalogue: uncertain, no price lists were distributed for the 80 or so wines {all Pinot Grigio}
The Quote/Background: We were served Pinot Grigio in a variety of forms, but here the main form was also one area: Pinot Grigio DOC Delle Venezie -- co-hosted by the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto. 45 wineries were presented, about 2/3 from the Lowland areas and the balance from a higher altitude. Some of these wineries were La Marca, Allegrini, Borga, Botter, Tommasi, Asolani, Farina, Ecco Domani, Villa Sandi, Pasqua, Cavit -- wineries with agency representation for Ontario's LCBO.
Most of the wines were still, and this made them versatile and easy-drinking, with a freshness and minerality; some were dated 2025 already (e.g. Monte Tondo, Bosco dei Cirmioli). Overall, a whopping 82% of Italian production of Pinot Grigio is in the Delle Venezie area -- and 42% of Pinot Grigio plantings world-wide are in Italy. Overall 218 million bottles are exported: 96% of the total vintage. Pinot Grigio is officially permitted to be produced in four distinct styles: Frizzante (light semi-sparkling), Spumante (sparkling Charmat), Fermo (still and the most popular), and Ramato (pinkish gray skin-contact).
The Wines: I confined myself mostly to the sparkling wines. All the wines here were from the Pinot Grigio delle Venezie grapes.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Adele DOP 2023 Brut Nature
-Enotria Viajo NV
-Sessantacampi 2024 Extra Brut
-Casaforte 2024
-Bella Sera 2024
-Cantina de Gambellara 2024
-S.Osvaldo 2024
-Con
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Monte Tondo 2025
-Bosco dei Cirmioli 2025
-Ponte Brut Borgo Molino Ciari 2025
-Conviriale 2024
-Astoria Alisia 2025
-Rose Ramato 2025
The Food: I did not stay the whole evening, but there appeared to be a steady flow of plattered food coming at me -- such as skewered cooked meats, deep fried fish balls, empanadas with cheese, caviar fish eggs on biscuit.
The Downside: it was a social event evening after a difficult day dealing with a lot of people.
The Upside: a chance to taste a full range of one varietal.
The Contact Person: info@dellevenezie.it; b.marassi@ice.it
The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90
Dean Tudor, Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism
Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.comhttp://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
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