REPORT ON TRE BICCHIERI 2025 WINE TASTING EVENT TORONTO

REPORT ON TRE BICCHIERI 2025 WINE TASTING EVENT TORONTO

The Date and Time: May 12, 2025  12:30 PM - 4:30PM
The Event: Tre Bicchieri tasting in Toronto
The Venue: Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex
The Target Audience: wine trade and wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: QR codes were used.
The Quote/Background: this was a smaller assortment of wines than usual. The crowd remained the same size as always. The masterclass was on Abruzzo wines. Here are the participating wineries:

ANDREOLA ARILLO IN TERRABIANCA BERSANO
BERTANI CASALE DEL GIGLIO
CASTELLO DI GABBIANO
CASTELLO DI QUERCETO COLOGNOLE
CORTONESI CUSUMANO FAMIGLIA CECCHI
FRANCESCO TORNATORE GIODO IL BORRO
ISTINE LE MICCINE MARCHESI FRESCOBALDI
MARIA CATERINA DEI MARILISA ALLEGRINI
MASCIARELLI MENHIR MARANGELLI
MEZZACORONA OTTELLA PANIZZI
PASINI SAN GIOVANNI PASQUA
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE - FAMIGLIA ZINGARELLI
SORELLE BRONCA TENUTA BORGO CONVENTI
TENUTA CASADEI TENUTA DI ARCENO
TENUTA STELLA TORRE A CONA
UMANI RONCHI VILLA SANDI VINICOLA ARNO
ZENATO

The Wines: [I did not notice any Franciacorta, and please excuse any typos, thx]

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Villa Della Torre [Valpolicella, Amarone & Lugana]
-Poggio al Tesoro Bolgheri Allegrini
-San Polo Montalcino Allegrini
-Tenuta della Famiglia Cecchi Villa Rosa Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2020
-Famigilia Cecchi Villa Cerna Primocolle 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva
-Cecchi Chianti Classico 2021
-Castello di Roncade Treviso Cabernet Piave Veneto 2022 $19.95 Tifa
-Poggio tonde Chianti Il Presone 2017 $26.95 Tifa
-Giuliana Vicini Pescura Trebbiano d'Abrusso 2023 $19.95 Tifa
-Jasci & Marchesani Nerube Pecorino Superiore 2024 organic
-Jasci & Marchesani Nerube Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo  2024 organic
-Jasci & Marchesani Trebbiano d'Abruzzo  2024 organic
-Tornatore Etna Rosso 2023 Sicily 
-Tornatore Etna Rosso  Pietrarizzo 2022 Sicily
-Tornatore Etna Rosso  Riserva 2020 Sicily
-Tornatore Etna Bianco 2023
-Tornatore Etna Rosato 2024 Sicily
-Torre A Cona Rosso dell' anno single vineyard
-Torre A Cona Molino degli Innocenti Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva
-Torre A Cona  Badia a Corte Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva
-Torre A Cona Terre di Cino Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva
-Torre A Cona Vermentino Maremma Toscana 2024
-Stephania Pepe Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Cuore di Vino 2006
-Stephania Pepe Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Pepe Rosa 2005


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Nipozanno Riserva 2021
-Zenato Lugana Riserva 2021
-Cantina Tollo Pecorino Orapiena 2024
-Cantina Tollo  Orapiena Riserva 2024
-Montepulciano d'Abrusso Pierame 2022
-Torre A Cona Fontesanta Toscana Rosato IGT 2024
-Ciavolich IGT Terre d'Abruzzo Pecorino Aries 2024
-Ciavolich Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Divus 2020
-Cirelli Pecorino Abruzzo 2022 organic
-Valori Colline Teramane Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore organic
-Valori Abruzzo Pecorino Chiamami Quando Piove 2024 organic

The Food: there were cheese boards, meat boards, marinated roasted bell peppers, salads, breads, sun dried tomatoes, and some cooked orecchiette from Puro Artignale, and espresso coffees roasted in Rome from Alunni. 
The Downside: a smaller show than in the past
The Upside: a chance to taste some really impressive Italian wines
The Contact Person: gamberorossocanada@sogood.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Eating Well 19 One-Pot Dinners That Aren’t Soup or Stew

-01 of 19 One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo
This creamy orzo with white beans and sun-dried tomatoes is the ultimate weeknight winner, ready in just 30 minutes! This comforting dish combines tender orzo, protein-packed white beans and tangy sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy garlic-and-herb cheese sauce. 

-02 of 19 Cheesy One-Pot Chicken-Broccoli Orzo
This cheesy chicken-broccoli orzo is the ultimate weeknight game-changer. This dish brings crowd-pleasing flavors together in one pan for easy cleanup. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying, comforting and delicious. Sharp Cheddar cheese adds savory flavor, but another easy-melting cheese like Gruyère or Swiss would work well too.

-03 of 19 One-Pot Potato Curry
This potato curry recipe takes inspiration from both north and south Indian dishes, blending the aromatic spices common in the north, with a nod to thoran in the south with the addition of coconut milk. The simplicity of cooking everything in one pot adds to its appeal, allowing the flavors to meld together 

-04 of 19 One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Broccoli & Red Peppers
Shrimp and broccoli cook quickly in this easy one-pot recipe, perfect for busy weeknights. Serve this healthy shrimp recipe over whole-grains or rice.

-05 of 19 Creamy Pesto Beans
These creamy pesto beans come together in just 30 minutes. The sauce clings to tender white beans, and whatever is left is perfect for sopping up with a warm, crusty baguette. For a heartier meal, serve the beans over whole-grain pasta, letting the sauce coat every bite.

-06 of 19 Ground Beef & Potatoes Skillet
In this healthy one-pan meal, ground beef and potatoes team up with colorful veggies, including kale, tomato and peppers. Everything is cooked in one skillet, which builds layers of flavor while also cutting back on the number of dishes.

-07 of 19 One-Pot Pasta With Spinach & Tomatoes
This one-pot pasta dinner is simple, fresh and healthy—what's not to love? Cooking the pasta right in the sauce saves time and cleanup while infusing the noodles with more flavor. This speedy recipe is also endlessly adaptable and lends itself to plenty of easy ingredient swaps.

-08 of 19 One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
This one-pot pasta with tangy tomato-basil sauce is a simple, fast and easy weeknight dinner. All of your ingredients go into one pot, and with a bit of stirring and about 25 minutes of cook time, you'll have a healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy.

-09 of 19 American Goulash
Known as old-fashioned goulash, perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can be made in just one pot.

-10 of 19 Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach
Simmer eggs in a rich tomatoey cream sauce studded with chickpeas and silky spinach for a super-fast vegetarian dinner. Serve with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Be sure to use heavy cream; a lower-fat option might curdle when mixed with acidic tomatoes.

-11 of 19 One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta
-This chicken Parmesan pasta uses the one-pot pasta method to cook your noodles, chicken and sauce all in one skillet for a fast and easy dinner.

-12 of 19 One-Skillet Cheesy Ground Chicken Pasta
Make this cheesy ground chicken pasta recipe for a busy weeknight dinner. Serve with a simple side salad and a glass of red wine.

-13 of 19 Baked Feta, Tomato & White Bean Skillet
This Baked Feta, Tomato & White Bean Skillet is the perfect dish for scooping up with your favorite toasted whole-grain bread. Juicy cherry tomatoes burst as they roast, mingling with creamy white beans to create a flavorful base. Chunky pieces of feta cheese are nestled into the skillet and baked until warm and soft. The result is a savory, creamy mix with tangy bites of feta in every bite.

-14 of 19 Baked Tomato & Feta Rice
Juicy roasted tomatoes and creamy melted feta are the stars in this flavorful casserole. Made in just one baking dish, this hearty dinner is the perfect choice for weeknights. If you want to amp up the tomato flavor, try adding chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the casserole.

-15 of 19 Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Chicken Skillet
This creamy spinach-and-artichoke chicken skillet serves up the classic combo often reserved for dips, elevating it to main-dish status with the addition of quick-cooking chicken cutlets. It's a one-pan wonder that comes together quickly, perfect for those busy nights when you crave something comforting yet sophisticated without spending hours in the kitchen. We prefer tender canned artichokes here, but be sure to give them a good rinse to wash away some of the sodium. Add some crushed red pepper to give this dish a little kick.

-16 of 19 Honey-Garlic Chicken Casserole Skillet
This honey-garlic chicken casserole is the perfect option for when you want a stir-fry with less mess to clean up. To keep prep to a minimum, we use precooked brown rice.

-17 of 19 Chickpeas alla Vodka
This Chickpeas alla Vodka is the ultra-quick, fiber-packed dinner you've been waiting for! Chickpeas are swimming in a creamy vodka sauce that gets enhancements from sautéed garlic, onion and vibrant green baby kale. Crispy, toasted whole-wheat bread is perfect for dipping. You can customize this dish easily by using spinach in place of kale.

-18 of 19 Skillet Spinach, Mushroom & Wild Rice Casserole
This wild rice and mushroom casserole is the ultimate comfort food, combining hearty, wholesome ingredients with rich, savory flavors all in one skillet. The earthiness of the wild rice pairs beautifully with the meaty mushrooms, while fresh spinach adds a burst of color and nutrients. It's the perfect balance of texture and taste—a cozy, one-pan meal that's easy to make, which makes it even more comforting.

-19 of 19 Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Butter Beans
These creamy garlic-Parmesan butter beans are a quick and comforting plant-based dinner. Velvety butter beans are simmered in broth with plenty of garlic and Parmesan cheese, creating a rich and flavorful stew-like dinner. Served with crusty bread for dipping.

Our 15 Most Popular One-Pot Dinners for Winter
One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta
25 One-Pot Dinner Recipes for Winter
Hearty Chickpea & Spinach Stew
14 One-Pot Dinners to Help Support Gut Health
Creamy One-Pot Penne Primavera with Shrimp
13 One-Pot Anti-Inflammatory Dinners You'll Want to Make Forever
Baked Spinach and Feta Pasta
24 One-Pot Recipes for Sunday Dinner
Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
9 One-Pot Dinners Our Editors Make on Repeat
Chicken & Spinach Soup with Fresh Pesto
17 One-Pot Winter Dinners to Help You Lose Weight
Recipe image of 20-Minute Black Bean Soup
24 One-Pot Fall Dinners That Make Weeknights So Much Easier
Sheet-Pan Sweet Potato Fajitas
16 Cozy Sheet-Pan Dinners with Three Steps or Less
White Bean-Sage Cauliflower Gnocchi
16 Skillet Dinners That Help Support Gut Health
an image of the Creamy Spinach, Mushroom, & Wild Rice Casserole
21 High-Protein Skillet Dinners to Make This Winter
Cheesy Roasted Eggplant Skillet Casserole
17 Comforting, Creamy Skillet Casseroles
One-Skillet Cheesy Ground Chicken Pasta
13 Pasta Dinners You Can Make in a Skillet
White Chicken Chili Casserole
A Month of Easy Skillet Dinners
Shrimp Paella in a skillet
16 Diabetes-Friendly Skillet Dinners for Summer
Ground Beef & Potatoes Skillet
22 High-Protein Dinners You Can Make in One Skillet

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, 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 wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for top wines available through  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. Evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone would taste like a Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

MAJOR THEME:  Ontario Wines

Top Wines UNDER $20 
=================

FIZZ+42128 JULIEN BARTHAZAC BRUT CREMANT DE BORDEAUX  $19.95

W+37559 ESTERHÁZY KLIMT GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 AUSTRIA $15.95
W+89029 TAWSE SKETCHES RIESLING 2022 VQA $19.95
W+303628 SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2023 CHILE $17.95 W+269852 WILLM GEWURZTRAMINER RESERVE 2022 ALSACE $19.95
W+44218 KTIMA KISSA PENTANEMI 2024 GREECE $18.95
W+17561 ORCHARD LANE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND $19.95
W+610295 AVELEDA ALVARINHO 2024 PORTUGAL $15.95
W+45168 SIMONSIG STARTING BLOCKS CHENIN BLANC 2024 SOUTH AFRICA  $15.95  W+113696 VIÑA ESMERALDA 2024 SPAIN $14.95

R+28085 SOPHENIA KARMA MALBEC 2023 ARGENTINA $19.95
R+23905 KNAPPSTEIN CLARE VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 AUSTRALIA $19.95 
R+494690 DEMAZET ARMOIRIES TRADITION CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023  $15.95
R+44211 OLIVIER COSTE OLD STAR CARIGNAN NOIR 2022 LANGUEDOC $19.95
R+17403 TORRE ZAMBRA MADIA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $16.95
R+10605 UGGIANO ROCCIALTA CHIANTI RISERVA 2021 $18.95

Top Wines OVER $20 
================

FIZZ+380030 KEW BLANC DE NOIRS 2020 VQA $32.95
FIZZ+130047 KRONE CUVÉE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT ROSÉ CUVÉE SPARKLING 2022 SOUTH AFRICA $21.95

W+256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $21.95
W+319640 THIRTY BENCH STEEL POST VINEYARD SMALLLOT RIESLING 2021 VQA $28.95
W+184549 LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $55.00 
W+20455 LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA $30.00
W+45172 PASCAL BOUCHARD BLANCS CAILLOUX PETIT CHABLIS 2023 $28.95
W+42445 DOMAINE FLEURIET TRADITION SANCERRE 2023 LOIRE $36.85
W+36445 FANTINI CALALENTA PECORINO 2024 ABRUZZI $20.95
W+17364 ELENA WALCH PINOT GRIGIO 2024 ALTO ADIGE $26.95
W+45453 DOMAINE CATHERINE & PIERRE BRETON CUVÉE TRINCH! ÉPAULÉ JETÉ LOIRE  $25.95
 
R+333229 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE THE SIDING CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 AUSTRALIA $24.95
R+11582 BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2023 VQA $34.95
R+427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $31.95
R+284570 TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2020 VQA $29.95
R+184564 LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $55.00
R+42029 CELLIER DES SAINT-ETIENNE MOULIN-A-VENT 2022 BEAUJOLAIS  $24.95 
R+512111 CHÂTEAU BEL ORME TRONQUOY-DE-LALANDE 2019 BORDEAUX $34.95
R+40445 TSIMBIDI LA-LU-DI AGIORGITIKO 2022 GREECE $21.95
R+44670 ASCHERI S. GIACOMO NEBBIOLO 2023 PIEDMONT $29.95
R+276030 MURIEL RESERVA 2019 SPAIN $21.95

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value wines...on sale  to Sept. 14, 2025....better hurry!!!

W H I T E W I N ES & ROSE

TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE
ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING 
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
559088 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

BANFI PRINCIPESSA GAVIA GAVI
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
250696 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00

OYSTER BAY PINOT GRIGIO
Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand
326090 (XD – 5 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00

PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO
DO Rías Baixas, Spain
350041 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00

PIERRE SPARR GEWURZTRAMINER
AC Alsace, France
373373 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL
CHARDONNAY
Clare Valley/Limestone Coast,
South Australia
711556 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

R E D W I N ES

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

KAIKEN ESTATE MALBEC
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
58339 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00

LAN CRIANZA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
166538 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00

MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS
GRAN RESERVA
DOP Cariñena, Spain
82024 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA
DO Cariñena, Spain
166579 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
111641 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $24.95 Save $5.00

VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER
CÔTE CHALONNAISE PINOT NOIR
AC, Burgundy, France
28284 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00

ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP
CHOCOLATE FACTORY SHIRAZ
Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia
396481 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00


LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value...on sale  Mon Sept 15 through Sunday October 12, 2025....

W H I T E W I N ES

ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00

CLOSSON CHASE THE BROCK CHARDONNAY 
VQA Niagara River,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
20899 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

FIELDING UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50

FLAT ROCK CELLARS CHARDONNAY 
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
286278 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
326728 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00

THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S BLEND RIESLING 
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
24133 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $21.95 Save $1.00

VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST.
URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 6
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
38117 (M – 33 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00

R E D W I N ES

13TH STREET GAMAY 
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
177824 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

RED WINES

FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, vegan
64618 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

LOUIS JADOT BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES
AC, Beaujolais, France
365924 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $25.95
NOW $23.95 Save $2.00

OYSTER BAY PINOT NOIR
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand,
sustainable
590414 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00

CHÂTEAU TEYSSIER AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion,
Bordeaux, France
226035 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3

THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula
149237 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3

TAWSE GROWERS BLEND PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
130989 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00



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 Wines that  I have tasted....


REPORT ON TRE BICCHIERI 2025 WINE TASTING EVENT TORONTO

The Date and Time: May 12, 2025  12:30 PM - 4:30PM
The Event: Tre Bicchieri tasting in Toronto
The Venue: Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex
The Target Audience: wine trade and wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: QR codes were used.
The Quote/Background: this was a smaller assortment of wines than usual. The crowd remained the same size as always. The masterclass was on Abruzzo wines. Here are the participating wineries:

ANDREOLA ARILLO IN TERRABIANCA BERSANO
BERTANI CASALE DEL GIGLIO
CASTELLO DI GABBIANO
CASTELLO DI QUERCETO COLOGNOLE
CORTONESI CUSUMANO FAMIGLIA CECCHI
FRANCESCO TORNATORE GIODO IL BORRO
ISTINE LE MICCINE MARCHESI FRESCOBALDI
MARIA CATERINA DEI MARILISA ALLEGRINI
MASCIARELLI MENHIR MARANGELLI
MEZZACORONA OTTELLA PANIZZI
PASINI SAN GIOVANNI PASQUA
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE - FAMIGLIA ZINGARELLI
SORELLE BRONCA TENUTA BORGO CONVENTI
TENUTA CASADEI TENUTA DI ARCENO
TENUTA STELLA TORRE A CONA
UMANI RONCHI VILLA SANDI VINICOLA ARNO
ZENATO

The Wines: [I did not notice any Franciacorta, and please excuse any typos, thx]

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Villa Della Torre [Valpolicella, Amarone & Lugana]
-Poggio al Tesoro Bolgheri Allegrini
-San Polo Montalcino Allegrini
-Tenuta della Famiglia Cecchi Villa Rosa Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2020
-Famigilia Cecchi Villa Cerna Primocolle 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva
-Cecchi Chianti Classico 2021
-Castello di Roncade Treviso Cabernet Piave Veneto 2022 $19.95 Tifa
-Poggio tonde Chianti Il Presone 2017 $26.95 Tifa
-Giuliana Vicini Pescura Trebbiano d'Abrusso 2023 $19.95 Tifa
-Jasci & Marchesani Nerube Pecorino Superiore 2024 organic
-Jasci & Marchesani Nerube Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo  2024 organic
-Jasci & Marchesani Trebbiano d'Abruzzo  2024 organic
-Tornatore Etna Rosso 2023 Sicily 
-Tornatore Etna Rosso  Pietrarizzo 2022 Sicily
-Tornatore Etna Rosso  Riserva 2020 Sicily
-Tornatore Etna Bianco 2023
-Tornatore Etna Rosato 2024 Sicily
-Torre A Cona Rosso dell' anno single vineyard
-Torre A Cona Molino degli Innocenti Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva
-Torre A Cona  Badia a Corte Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva
-Torre A Cona Terre di Cino Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva
-Torre A Cona Vermentino Maremma Toscana 2024
-Stephania Pepe Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Cuore di Vino 2006
-Stephania Pepe Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Pepe Rosa 2005


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Nipozanno Riserva 2021
-Zenato Lugana Riserva 2021
-Cantina Tollo Pecorino Orapiena 2024
-Cantina Tollo  Orapiena Riserva 2024
-Montepulciano d'Abrusso Pierame 2022
-Torre A Cona Fontesanta Toscana Rosato IGT 2024
-Ciavolich IGT Terre d'Abruzzo Pecorino Aries 2024
-Ciavolich Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Divus 2020
-Cirelli Pecorino Abruzzo 2022 organic
-Valori Colline Teramane Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore organic
-Valori Abruzzo Pecorino Chiamami Quando Piove 2024 organic

The Food: there were cheese boards, meat boards, marinated roasted bell peppers, salads, breads, sun dried tomatoes, and some cooked orecchiette from Puro Artignale, and espresso coffees roasted in Rome from Alunni. 
The Downside: a smaller show than in the past
The Upside: a chance to taste some really impressive Italian wines
The Contact Person: gamberorossocanada@sogood.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for AUGUST 30, 2025 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for  AUGUST 30, 2025 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, 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 wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for top wines available through  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. Evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone would taste like a Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

MAJOR THEME:  High Scoring Wines

Top Wines UNDER $20 
=================
ROSE+45075 TAWSE GROWERS BLEND ROSÉ 2024 VQA  $18.95
ROSE+668426 VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2024 $19.95
ROSE+37664 CELLIER DES DAUPHINS VAL SOLEU ORGANIC ROSÉ 2024 RHONE $15.95 
ROSE+707281 CHÂTEAU VAL-JOANIS ROSÉ 2024 RHONE $19.95

W+89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 VQA  $17.95
W+417774 DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITION CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $33.70 
W+33492 RED TRACTOR CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $19.95
W+45017 LOUIS GUNTRUM KM482 RHEIN RIVER DRY RIESLING 2023  $19.95
W+44279 MONTE SCHIAVO RUVIANO VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO 
$16.95
W+44233 SANT'ANTONIO SCAIA GARGANEGA/CHARDONNAY 2023 VENETO $19.95
W+37725 CASTELLO D'ALBA WHITE 2023 PORTUGAL $14.95
W+45167 RUSTENBERG WILD FERMENT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 SOUTH AFRICA $18.95 

R+44588 ESCUDO ROJO GRAN RESERVA PINOT NOIR  2023 CHILE $17.95
R+43908 CHÂTEAU LE ROSE DE VITRAC 2022 BORDEAUX $17.95
R+43565 DOMAINE DE MUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 LANGUEDOC $16.95
R+36526 ORAPIENA RISERVA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO  $17.95
R+21155 LA MOTTE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 SOUTH AFRICA $19.95
R+23914 SAN ALEJANDRO EVODIA GARNACHA 2022 SPAIN $16.95
R+44358 ALTOS DE RIOJA ALTOS R TEMPRANILLO 2023 $15.95

Top Wines OVER $20 
================
W+19482 PIERRE SPARR SOL CALCAIRE PINOT GRIS 2020 ALSACE $20.95
W+33260 PAPAGIANNAKOS ASSYRTIKO 2023 GREECE  $26.95
W+942888 MICHELE CHIARLO NIVOLE MOSCATO D'ASTI 2024 PIEDMONT $20.95
W+733501 ALAIN GEOFFROY BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2023  $48.95
W+10421 ASTROLABE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND  $24.95

R+558528 CHÂTEAU DU CHATELARD CUVÉE LES ROCHES MORGON BEAUJOLAIS 2020 
$21.95
R+650960 FAMILLE PERRIN PEYRE BLANCHE CAIRANNE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES $21.95
R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2021 PUGLIA $26.95
R+438572 CASALE DEL BOSCO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 $49.95
R+719294 TEDESCHI CAPITEL SAN ROCCO RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2021 $23.95


LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value wines...on sale  from Aug. 18 to Sept. 14, 2025.

W H I T E W I N ES & ROSE

TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE
ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING 
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
559088 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

BANFI PRINCIPESSA GAVIA GAVI
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
250696 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00

OYSTER BAY PINOT GRIGIO
Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand
326090 (XD – 5 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00

PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO
DO Rías Baixas, Spain
350041 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00

PIERRE SPARR GEWURZTRAMINER
AC Alsace, France
373373 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL
CHARDONNAY
Clare Valley/Limestone Coast,
South Australia
711556 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

R E D W I N ES
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

KAIKEN ESTATE MALBEC
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
58339 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00

LAN CRIANZA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
166538 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00

MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS
GRAN RESERVA
DOP Cariñena, Spain
82024 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA
DO Cariñena, Spain
166579 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
111641 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $24.95 Save $5.00

VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER
CÔTE CHALONNAISE PINOT NOIR
AC, Burgundy, France
28284 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00

ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP
CHOCOLATE FACTORY SHIRAZ
Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia
396481 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00


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 New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --- 

REPORT ON REDISCOVER AUSTRALIA - THE NORTH AMERICAN ROADSHOW MAY 2025

The Date and Time: 10AM - 2:30PM May 6, 2025
The Event: Rediscover Australia: North America Roadshow
The Venue: Waterworks Food Hall, Brant Street
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: there was a trade tasting booklet (with agents, prices,and ABV)  listing some 27 producer tables with 175+ wines.
The Quote/Background: the seminar's theme was a blend of history, evolution and revolution with a tasting of 9 examples. The focus was on the importance of old vines, farming practices, and new styles for a changing world.
The Wines: with 175+ wines from over 15 wine regions I could not taste them all with time restraints. Indeed, I spent some time looking through the book and circling what I did want to taste in the way of Chardonnay and Fizz.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Bird in Hand Two in the Bush Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2024 $17.95 Case for Wine
-Glenlofty Estate Pyrenees Chardonnay 2020 $35 Heritage Cellars
-Blue Pyrenees Estate Midnight Cuvee Pyrenees Chardonnay 2022 $42 Heritage
-Brown Family Devil's Corner Tasmania Chardonnay 2024 $26.95 Select
-Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2024 $21.95 Select
-Haselgrove Wines H by Haselgrove South Australia Chardonnay 2023 $25 Airen
-Hollick Estate The Bard Coonawarra Chardonnay 2024 $16.95 Rogers & Co
-Hill Smith Murdoch Hill Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2024 $43.95 Living Vine
-House of Arras A By Arras Premium Cuvee Rose NV$40 Insider wines
-House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged 2008 $230 Insider Wines  [my fave of the day]
-Hugh Hamilton Wines The Scallwag McLaren Vale Chardonnay 2023 $22.95 Case for Wine
-Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023 $49.95 Select
-Giant Steps Sexton Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023 $89.95 Select
-Yangarra Estate McLaren Vale Rousanne 2023 $39.95 Select
-Xanadu Margaret River Chardonnay 2023 $38.95 Noble Estates


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Blue Pyrenees Estate White Field Blend Pyrenees Viognier Rousanne Marsanne 2023
$37 Heritage Cellars
-d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab McLaren Vale Viognier Marsanne 2023 $17.95 Churchill
-d'Arenberg The Olive Grove McLaren Vale Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2022 $17.95 Churchill
-Sister's Run Sunday Slippers McLaren Vale Chardonnay 2023 $19.95 Nicholas Pearce
-Mitolo Jester McLaren Vale Vermentino 2024 $25 Nobles Estates
-Mitolo Small Batch Perduto McLaren Vale Pecorino 2024 $42 Noble Estates
-Penfolds Koonunga Hill South Australia Chardonnay 2023 $18.60 Mark Anthony

The Food: catered by the Food Dudes -- tuna tataki (first rate), mushroom flatbread, Italian deli sliders, a cheese board and a meat board.
The Downside: so many wines and such a short time to try what I did want to taste -- overwhelming. The small space made for congestion.
The Upside: this was the first major Australian wine tasting trade show in Toronto in some years.
The Contact Person: annie.dingwall@wineaustralia.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

REPORT ON REDISCOVER AUSTRALIA - THE NORTH AMERICAN ROADSHOW MAY 2025

REPORT ON REDISCOVER AUSTRALIA - THE NORTH AMERICAN ROADSHOW MAY 2025

The Date and Time: 10AM - 2:30PM May 6, 2025
The Event: Rediscover Australia: North America Roadshow
The Venue: Waterworks Food Hall, Brant Street
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: there was a trade tasting booklet (with agents, prices,and ABV)  listing some 27 producer tables with 175+ wines.
The Quote/Background: the seminar's theme was a blend of history, evolution and revolution with a tasting of 9 examples. The focus was on the importance of old vines, farming practices, and new styles for a changing world.
The Wines: with 175+ wines from over 15 wine regions I could not taste them all with time restraints. Indeed, I spent some time looking through the book and circling what I did want to taste in the way of Chardonnay and Fizz.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Bird in Hand Two in the Bush Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2024 $17.95 Case for Wine
-Glenlofty Estate Pyrenees Chardonnay 2020 $35 Heritage Cellars
-Blue Pyrenees Estate Midnight Cuvee Pyrenees Chardonnay 2022 $42 Heritage
-Brown Family Devil's Corner Tasmania Chardonnay 2024 $26.95 Select
-Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2024 $21.95 Select
-Haselgrove Wines H by Haselgrove South Australia Chardonnay 2023 $25 Airen
-Hollick Estate The Bard Coonawarra Chardonnay 2024 $16.95 Rogers & Co
-Hill Smith Murdoch Hill Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2024 $43.95 Living Vine
-House of Arras A By Arras Premium Cuvee Rose NV$40 Insider wines
-House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged 2008 $230 Insider Wines  [my fave of the day]
-Hugh Hamilton Wines The Scallwag McLaren Vale Chardonnay 2023 $22.95 Case for Wine
-Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023 $49.95 Select
-Giant Steps Sexton Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023 $89.95 Select
-Yangarra Estate McLaren Vale Rousanne 2023 $39.95 Select
-Xanadu Margaret River Chardonnay 2023 $38.95 Noble Estates


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Blue Pyrenees Estate White Field Blend Pyrenees Viognier Rousanne Marsanne 2023
$37 Heritage Cellars
-d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab McLaren Vale Viognier Marsanne 2023 $17.95 Churchill
-d'Arenberg The Olive Grove McLaren Vale Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2022 $17.95 Churchill
-Sister's Run Sunday Slippers McLaren Vale Chardonnay 2023 $19.95 Nicholas Pearce
-Mitolo Jester McLaren Vale Vermentino 2024 $25 Nobles Estates
-Mitolo Small Batch Perduto McLaren Vale Pecorino 2024 $42 Noble Estates
-Penfolds Koonunga Hill South Australia Chardonnay 2023 $18.60 Mark Anthony

The Food: catered by the Food Dudes -- tuna tataki (first rate), mushroom flatbread, Italian deli sliders, a cheese board and a meat board.
The Downside: so many wines and such a short time to try what I did want to taste -- overwhelming. The small space made for congestion.
The Upside: this was the first major Australian wine tasting trade show in Toronto in some years.
The Contact Person: annie.dingwall@wineaustralia.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Fw: WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for AUGUST 16, 2025 release

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for  AUGUST 16,  2025 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, 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 wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These  top wines BELOW are  available through  LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) and  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 all stores.  Evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone would taste like a Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

MAJOR THEMES:   Summer Smart Buys;  Great Greek Grapes...

Top Wines UNDER $20 
=================
FIZZ+36395 SAN MARTINO CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE EXTRA DRY PROSECCO $17.95
FIZZ+10580 UNDURRAGA PINOT NOIR BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING CHILE  $14.95
FIZZ+25073 MURVIEDRO ARTS DE LUNA BRUT NATURE ORGANIC SPARKLING SPAIN $15.95

ROSE+650655 REDSTONE ROSÉ 2024 VQA $18.95 
ROSE+719062 FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2024 2 $16.95 
ROSE+43739 DOMAINE SABANIS FAIR WIND ROSÉ 2024 GREECE $15.95

W+243196 CRIOS CHARDONNAY 2024 ARGENTINA $16.95
W+68015 FLAT ROCK UNPLUGGED UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $19.95
W+44277 MAYU SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 CHILE  $14.95
W+45456 RICHEMER VIOGNIER 2024  LANGUEDOC $14.95
W+38011 VALLÉE LOIRE TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023  $17.95
W+32387 SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO 2024 GREECE $19.95
W+35951 UMBERTO CESARI LIANO PINOT GRIGIO 2024 ABRUZZO $17.95
W+44234 MUCCHIETTO ORGANIC SOAVE 2023 VENETO  $18.95
W+44948 ABCDARIUM ARINTO VINHO VERDE 2023 PORTUGAL $16.95
W+44584 VALDEHERMOSO SOTAVENTO VERDEJO 2023 SPAIN $15.95 

R+65664 FINCA EL ORIGEN RESERVA MALBEC 2022  ARGENTINA $17.95
R+131540 FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT 2022  VQA $19.95
R+44596 CARMEN GRAN RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2023 CHILE  $18.95
R+119354 CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES GRENACHE/CARIGNAN/SYRAH CÔTES SOUTH FRANCE $19.95
R+44599 NEMEA WINE COOPERATIVE AGIORGITIKO 2021  GREECE $18.95 
R+278150 NIRO DI CITRA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $17.95
R+30224 OLARRA CERRO AÑÓN CRIANZA 2021 RIOJA  $16.95


Top Wines OVER $20 
================
FIZZ+421032 CHARLES MIGNON PREMIUM RÉSERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE  $58.95
W+46472 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES OLD VINES SAVAGNIN 2023 VQA $24.95
W+284026 JOSEPH DROUHIN DROUHIN-VAUDON CHABLIS 2022 $35.95
W+36317 VOLPAIA VERMENTINO 2024 TUSCANY $26.95
W+155382 MARCHESI DI BAROLO GAVI DEL COMUNE DI GAVI 2023 PIEDMONT  $26.95 

R+46463 REDSTONE CABERNET FRANC 2021 VQA  $40.95
R+21087 CHÂTEAU LA PIROUETTE 2019 BORDEAUX $23.95
R+45171 CELLIER DU CHÂTEAU DE LA CHAUME BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2023 $26.95 R+86298 CASTELLANI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019  $21.95
R+16090 BRIGALDARA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2022  $22.95


LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value...on sale  through Sunday August 17 [better hurry -- one day left!!]

W H I T E W I N ES

BOLLINI PINOT GRIGIO
DOC, Trentino, Italy
951319 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

CLOUDY BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
304469 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $42.95
NOW $38.95 Save $4.00

FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS VQA Niagara
341586 (D – 13 g/L) 750 mL $15.95
NOW $14.95 Save $1.00

KIM CRAWFORD ILLUMINATE SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
18947 (D – 16 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
316570 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00

SUSANA BALBO CRIOS TORRONTÉS Argentina
1834 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

WILLM RESERVE PINOT GRIS
AC Alsace, France
42495 (XD – 8 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00

FLAT ROCK RIESLING
VQA Niagara Peninsula,
43281 (D – 11 g/L)
750 mL REG. $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2


R E D W I N ES

CATHEDRAL CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON
WO Western Cape, South Africa
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00

DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS
DO Bierzo, Spain
446484 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00

LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Mendoza, Argentina
292110 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH
WO Swartland, South Africa
595280 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $13.95 Save $3.00

RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA
RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
943613 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00

THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER
South Australia
66738 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Valle del Maipo, Chile
18721 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $15.95 Save $3.00

WAKEFIELD ESTATE SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
943787 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

TOMMASI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA
CLASSICO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
910430 (D – 7 g/L)
750 mL REG. $27.95
NOW $25.95


UPCOMING LIMITED-TIME OFFERS beginning next week ...  Save on these popular Vintages wines from Aug. 18 to Sept. 14, 2025...

W H I T E W I N ES & ROSE

TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE
ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING 
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
559088 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

BANFI PRINCIPESSA GAVIA GAVI
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
250696 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00

OYSTER BAY PINOT GRIGIO
Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand
326090 (XD – 5 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00

PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO
DO Rías Baixas, Spain
350041 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00

PIERRE SPARR GEWURZTRAMINER
AC Alsace, France
373373 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL
CHARDONNAY
Clare Valley/Limestone Coast,
South Australia
711556 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

R E D W I N ES
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

KAIKEN ESTATE MALBEC
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
58339 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00

LAN CRIANZA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
166538 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00

MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS
GRAN RESERVA
DOP Cariñena, Spain
82024 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA
DO Cariñena, Spain
166579 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
111641 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $24.95 Save $5.00

VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER
CÔTE CHALONNAISE PINOT NOIR
AC, Burgundy, France
28284 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00

ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP
CHOCOLATE FACTORY SHIRAZ
Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia
396481 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00


*****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 New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --- 

REPORT ON CAVINONA'S TASTE & BUY THE ADRIATIC COAST May 2025

The Date and Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM May 6, 2025
The Event: Taste & Buy some Adriatic Coast Wines
The Venue: Terroni Price
The Target Audience: Cavinona's clients, select others
The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available now, with bottles by the six pack or the 12 bottle case.
The Quote/Background: It was a walk around  of 16 wines through four tables. The wines were also on the menu at the restaurant. Mixed cases of wines were also possible.
The Wines: for once, I could taste all the (16) wines presented...

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Zerbina Bianco di Ceparano Albana Secco DOCG 2024 Emilia-Romagna $179.70 six-pack
-Zerbina Pietramora DOC Sangiovese Riserva Marzeno 2019 Emilia-Romagna $353.70 six-pack
-Zerbina Arrocco Albana Passito DOCG 2023 Emilia-Romagna $383.70 six-pack [my fave of the event]
-San Patrignano Aulente Bianco IGT Bianco Rubicone Chardonnay 2023 Emilia-Romagna  $287.40 12 pack
-I Clivi Ribolla Gialla a Tessa Venezia Giulia IGP 2022 $221.70 6 pack
-Valle Reale Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Cru Vigneto di Popoli Abruzzo 2021 $419.70 6 pack
-Valerio Fannia Falanghina del Molise DOC 2024 $161.70 6 pack
-Carvinea Lucerna Fiano IGT Salento Bianco 2023 Puglia $275.40 12 pack
-Carvinea Negroamaro IGT Salento 2021 Puglia $2021 $335.40 12 pack

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Zerbina PoggioVicchio Sangiovese Superiore DOC 2023 Emilia-Romagna $371.40 12 case
-San Patrignano Aulente Rosso IGT Rosso Rubicone  2023 Emilia-Romagna  $287.40 12 pack
-San Patrignano Ora Romagna Sangiovese DOC Superiore 2021 Emilia-Romagna $359.40 12 pack
-San Patrignano Avi Romagna Sangiovese DOC Superiore 2021 Emilia-Romagna $377.70 6 pack
-Suavia Soave Classico DOC 2023 Veneto $209.70 6 pack
-Borgo Paglianetto Vertis Verdicchio di Matelica DOC 2021 $257.70 6 pack
-Carvinea Merula Rosa IGT Salento 2023 Puglia $275.40 12 pack

The Food: bread sticks from pizza dough, garlic knots, a meat board, a cheese board, and fruit.
The Downside: Earlier in the day I was at a heavy-duty Australian wine tasting.
The Upside: there was room for all, no sense of rushing or lining up.
The Contact Person: info@cavinona.com
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.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for AUGUST 2, 2025

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for  AUGUST 2, 2025 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, 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 wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for top wines available through  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. Evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone would taste like a Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

MAJOR THEME:  Canadian wines, featuring Lake Eric North Shore (LENS)

Top Wines UNDER $20 
=================
FIZZ+42037 LA BAUME BRUT CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX NV $18.95 
FIZZ+21040 BRILLA! EXTRA DRY ROSÉ PROSECCO 2023  $19.95

W+34245 WALDSCHÜTZ RIED HASEL SINGLE VINEYARD GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 AUSTRIA  $17.95
W+44278 SANTA CAROLINA EL PACTO CHARDONNAY 2022 CHILE  $18.95
W+42843 DOMAINE DE LA CHAISE TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 LOIRE $19.95 W+40446 LYRARAKIS VOILA ASSYRTIKO 2023 GREECE  $19.95
W+24981 VILLA MARIA EARTH GARDEN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND  $18.95
W+126847 MAN FREE-RUN STEEN CHENIN BLANC 2024 SOUTH AFRICA $14.95 

R+631820 DESQUICIADO MALBEC 2023 ARGENTINA  $15.95
R+10971 INFINITO WINEMAKER'S SELECTION MALBEC 2022  ARGENTINA $15.95
R+36387 STONEHAVEN STEPPING STONE SHIRAZ 2021 AUSTRALIA  $16.95
R+426247 CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2020 BORDEAUX $17.95
R+43523 FABRE PIROUETTE MINERVOIS 2022  $13.95
R+43529 AMÉDÉE SANS SOUFRE AJOUTÉ LUBERON 2023 RHONE  $17.95
R+981399 TERRA D'ALIGI MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2023  $15.95
R+36810 ASKOS CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA 2023 SARDINIA $18.95
R+573501 VILLA CERNA PRIMOCOLLE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021  $19.95
R+44950 FIUZA DUCADO DO INFANTE RESERVA RED 2022 PORTUGAL $13.95  
R+398925 ALCEÑO TWELVE 12 MESES MONASTRELL 2021 SPAIN  $17.95


Top Wines OVER $20 
================
W+ 46453 HESTER CREEK CHARDONNAY 2023 BC VQA  $35.95
W+381251 REDSTONE LIMESTONE VINEYARD SOUTH RIESLING VQA $22.95
W+43519 ROCHE DE BELLENE MÂCON-VILLAGES 2022 BURGUNDY  $20.95
W+44242 ALESSANDRO BERSELLI SIGNATURE COLLECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023  ALTO ADIGE $21.95
W+35465 AVELEDA SOLOS DE XISTO ALVARINHO 2022 PORTUGAL  $24.95
ROSE+498535 MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2024 VQA  $21.95
ROSE+739474 DOMAINE DES CARTERESSES TAVEL 2024  $20.95

R+29048 ORGANIZED CRIME CABERNET FRANC 2019 VQA $24.95
R+418830 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC MERLOT 2021 VQA  $27.95
R+40108 STRATUS ALTO 2023VQA  $28.95
R+42030 JAFFELIN BROUILLY 2023 BEAUJOLAIS $21.95
R+47118 CARPINETO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 $31.95
R+16587 BERONIA VIÑAS VIEJAS 2020 SPAIN  $24.95
R+30222 PUELLES GRAN RESERVA 2015  SPAIN $27.95

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value wines...on sale  through Monday July 21 to August 17, 2025

W H I T E W I N ES

BOLLINI PINOT GRIGIO
DOC, Trentino, Italy
951319 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

CLOUDY BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
304469 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $42.95
NOW $38.95 Save $4.00

FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS VQA Niagara
341586 (D – 13 g/L) 750 mL $15.95
NOW $14.95 Save $1.00

KIM CRAWFORD ILLUMINATE SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
18947 (D – 16 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
316570 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00

SUSANA BALBO CRIOS TORRONTÉS Argentina
1834 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

WILLM RESERVE PINOT GRIS
AC Alsace, France
42495 (XD – 8 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00

FLAT ROCK RIESLING
VQA Niagara Peninsula,
43281 (D – 11 g/L)
750 mL REG. $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2


R E D W I N ES

CATHEDRAL CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON
WO Western Cape, South Africa
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00

DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS
DO Bierzo, Spain
446484 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00

LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Mendoza, Argentina
292110 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH
WO Swartland, South Africa
595280 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $13.95 Save $3.00

RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA
RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
943613 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00

THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER
South Australia
66738 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Valle del Maipo, Chile
18721 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $15.95 Save $3.00

WAKEFIELD ESTATE SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
943787 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

TOMMASI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA
CLASSICO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
910430 (D – 7 g/L)
750 mL REG. $27.95
NOW $25.95

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 New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --- 

REPORT ON TASTIN' FRANCE July 2025, BUSINESS FRANCE...

These are top wines (as tasted by Mr. B), and may be accepted
 by the LCBO for LATER consumer purchase.....it's a long, involved process...

Sparkling wine
Cremant Brut Rose, Dames de Vignes

Whites
La Source, 2024, Domaine de Mourchon
Saumur Blanc, 2024, Dames de Vignes
Le Foret Enchantee, Saumur Blanc

Red wines
Seguret Grand Reserve, 2022, Domaine de Mourchon, Rhone Valley
Gigondas, 2023, Domaine de Paillere et Pied Gu, Rhone Valley
Gigondas, 2022, Domaine de Paillere et Pied Gu, Rhone Valley
Chateauneuf du Pape, 2023, Domaine Frederic Stehelin, Rhone Valley
Sablet Rouge, 2024, Domaine de Paillere et Pied Gu, Rhone Valley
Cuvee F, 2022, Dame de Vignes, Bordeaux
Chateau St. Ferdinand, Bordeaux Dames de Vignes
Chateau Tour St. Pierre, 2021, Bordeaux, Dames de Vignes

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Virus-free.www.avg.com

Limited Time Offers via LCBO July 21 to August 17, 2025

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value wines...on sale through Monday July 21 to August 17, 2025

W H I T E W I N ES

BOLLINI PINOT GRIGIO

DOC, Trentino, Italy

951319 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $19.95

NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

CLOUDY BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC

Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

304469 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $42.95

NOW $38.95 Save $4.00

FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS VQA Niagara

341586 (D – 13 g/L) 750 mL $15.95

NOW $14.95 Save $1.00

KIM CRAWFORD ILLUMINATE SAUVIGNON BLANC

Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

18947 (D – 16 g/L) 750 mL $21.95

NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC

Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

316570 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $20.95

NOW $17.95 Save $3.00

SUSANA BALBO CRIOS TORRONTÉS Argentina

1834 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $16.95

NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

WILLM RESERVE PINOT GRIS

AC Alsace, France

42495 (XD – 8 g/L) 750 mL $18.95

NOW $17.95 Save $1.00

FLAT ROCK RIESLING

VQA Niagara Peninsula,

43281 (D – 11 g/L)

750 mL REG. $19.95

NOW $17.95 Save $2

R E D W I N ES

CATHEDRAL CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON

WO Western Cape, South Africa

328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95

NOW $16.95 Save $3.00

DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS

DO Bierzo, Spain

446484 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $29.95

NOW $26.95 Save $3.00

LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Mendoza, Argentina

292110 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $16.95

NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH

WO Swartland, South Africa

595280 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $16.95

NOW $13.95 Save $3.00

RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA

RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO

DOCG, Tuscany, Italy

943613 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $24.95

NOW $21.95 Save $3.00

THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER

South Australia

66738 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95

NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Valle del Maipo, Chile

18721 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $18.95

NOW $15.95 Save $3.00

WAKEFIELD ESTATE SHIRAZ

Clare Valley, South Australia

943787 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95

NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

TOMMASI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA

CLASSICO SUPERIORE

DOC, Veneto, Italy

910430 (D – 7 g/L)

750 mL REG. $27.95

NOW $25.95

FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JULY 19, 2025 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for  JULY 19, 2025 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, 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 wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for better or best wines available through  LCBO Vintages (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. Ratings are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone would taste like a Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). Ratings are BETTER or BEST, which gives me some wiggle room. With the rigorous lab standards at the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD (75-85 points). I do not list the GOOD wines -- just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points compares to SILVER and GOLD medals [with GOOD being BRONZE]. 

MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)=basic recommendation
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine

MAJOR THEME:  Best BBQ wines, and Nova Scotia discoveries

Recommended Wines UNDER $20 
=========================
ROSE+45885 REDTAIL ROSÉ 2023 VQA  $19
ROSE+44125 MIRADA ORGANIC ROSÉ 2024 SPAIN $15.95

W+42735 HUMBERTO CANALE ESTATE 1909 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 ARGENTINA  $17.95
W+41875 BIRD IN HAND SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 AUSTRALIA  $17.95
W+25384 PFAFF CUVÉE JUPITER RIESLING 2023 ALSACE  $17.95
W+44464 ÉLISABETH COLOMBARD/SAUVIGNON 2023 FRANCE $13.95
W+25762 GUNDERLOCH RED STONE RIESLING 2023 RHEINHESSEN  $19.95
W+37070 PETRIESSA ASSYRTIKO 2024 GREECE $18.95
W+408146 MARIA PAPOILA LOUREIRO/ALVARINHO 2023 PORTUGAL $17.95

R+42115 FABRE MONTMAYOU BARREL SELECTION MALBEC 2022 ARGENTINA $19.95 
R+46055 FEATHERSTONE GEMSTONE 2023  VQA $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
R+320507 PIPOLI AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE 2021 BASILICATA $17.95
R+44954 TERRE DI FAIANO ORGANIC PRIMITIVO 2023 PUGLIA  $14.95
R+44856 LA CARUSA NERO D'AVOLA/SYRAH 2023 SICILY $17.95
R+121160 VILLA TRASQUA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 $19.95
R+168823 BURGO VIEJO RESERVA 2020 RIOJA $19.95        

Recommended Wines OVER $20 
========================
FIZZ+256289 BENJAMIN BRIDGE NOVA 7 SPARKLING NOVA SCOTIA  $24.95

W+ 238642 INNISKILLIN MONTAGUE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA  $32.95 
W+88955 HUFF CATHERINE'S CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA  $34
W+46054 KONZELMANN BARREL AGED RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA $24.95 
W+46059 CHARLES BAKER LAUNDRY VINEYARD RIESLING 2023 VQA  $32.20
W+43522 VINCENT DE LA REMONDIÈRE CHABLIS 2023 $36.95

R+553321 MISSION HILL RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 BC VQA $37.95
R+45862 LIGHTFOOT & WOLFVILLE FAUNA RED 2022 NOVA SCOTIA  $26.95
R+997353 INNISKILLIN MONTAGUE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2022 VQA $35.95 
R+203364 ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 CHILE $22.95
R+43907 CHÂTEAU BEAU SITE HAUT VIGNOBLE 2016 BORDEAUX $54.95
R+44071 TORRE ZAMBRA COLLE MAGGIO RISERVA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO $34.95
R+216309 CASTELLO DI GABBIANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 $24.95

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better or best" value...on sale to July 20...BETTER HURRY!!!

FIZZ

13TH STREET CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
traditional method, sustainable, vegan
147504 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 mL $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00

CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario,
traditional method, sustainable, vegan
213983 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario,
traditional method
224766 (D – 12 g/L) 750 mL $30.95
NOW $27.95 Save $3.00

TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00


W H I T E W I N ES

CLOSSON CHASE THE BROCK CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara River,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
20899 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00

FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula,
Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 12 g/L)
750 mL REG. $17.95
NOW $15.95  Save $2

ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA
DOC, Veneto, Italy
707158 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00


R E D W I N ES

CAVE SPRING PINOT NOIR 
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
417642 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00

MALIVOIRE FARMSTEAD GAMAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
591313 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

MONTE ZOVO SA' SOLIN VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
650713 (D – 12 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Valle de Colchagua, Chile
322586 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00

PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL SHIRAZ/CABERNET
South Australia
285544 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $16.45 Save $2.50

SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
282996 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $20.95
NOW $18.95 Save $2.00

SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00


*********LIMITED-TIME OFFERS
Save on these popular wines from "July 21 to August 17, 2025"

W H I T E W I N ES

BOLLINI PINOT GRIGIO
DOC, Trentino, Italy
951319 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

CLOUDY BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
304469 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $42.95
NOW $38.95 Save $4.00

FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS VQA Niagara
341586 (D – 13 g/L) 750 mL $15.95
NOW $14.95 Save $1.00

KIM CRAWFORD ILLUMINATE SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
18947 (D – 16 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
316570 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00

SUSANA BALBO CRIOS TORRONTÉS Argentina
1834 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

WILLM RESERVE PINOT GRIS
AC Alsace, France
42495 (XD – 8 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00

FLAT ROCK RIESLING
VQA Niagara Peninsula,
43281 (D – 11 g/L)
750 mL REG. $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2


R E D W I N ES

CATHEDRAL CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON
WO Western Cape, South Africa
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00

DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS
DO Bierzo, Spain
446484 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00

LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Mendoza, Argentina
292110 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH
WO Swartland, South Africa
595280 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $13.95 Save $3.00

RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA
RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
943613 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00

THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER
South Australia
66738 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Valle del Maipo, Chile
18721 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $15.95 Save $3.00

WAKEFIELD ESTATE SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
943787 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

TOMMASI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA
CLASSICO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
910430 (D – 7 g/L)
750 mL REG. $27.95
NOW $25.95


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 New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --- 

REPORT ON THE ACID TRIP OF THE LIVING VINE May 2025

The Date and Time: May 5, 2025, 1PM-5PM
The Event: A curated collection of biodynamic, organic, and natural wines from around the world
The Venue: Society Clubhouse, College Street
The Target Audience: today it was the Licensees; yesterday (May 4) it was the Living Vine clients.
The Availability/Catalogue: everything was available by the LCBO Consignment ordering system, by the case.
The Quote/Background: there were ten tables with pourers and information. Overall, there were 85 or so regular wines with alcohol, a few apple ciders, and some proxies with all the complexities of wine and none of the alcohol. Proxies are a new form of wine alternative—not dealcoholized wine, but layered blends of fruit, teas, spices, and bitters, designed to pair with food. I did not taste any of these..indeed, I did not even taste all the 85 regular wines....

The Wines:  prices are for Licensees....

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Recaredo Intens Rosat 2020 [fizz] Penedes $65.95 (in six pack)

-Viberti Moscato d'Asti 2024 Piedmont $20.66
-Viberti Pubblicano Doglia Dolcetto 2023 Piedmont $24.26
-Viberti Nebbiolo Langhe 2023 Pidmont $33.26
-Viberti Buon Padre Barolo 2021 $62.06 (in six pack)
-Viberti San Pedro Barolo Riserva 2019 $144.86 (in six pack)
-Viberti Bricco delle Viole Nebbiolo Piedmont 2019 $167.36 (in six pack)
-Berlioz Les Christine 2022 Savoie $134.96 (in six pack)
-Battenfeld Spanier Riesling Trocken Rheinhessen 2023 $24.95
-Camas Chardonnay 2023 Languedoc $17.95 
-Antica Enotria Rosso IGT Puglia $21.95
-Lobetia Tempranillo La Mancha Spain $16.95
-COS Rami 2022 Sicily $37.95
-Occhipinti SP68 Rosso Sicily $36.95
-Masseria Cuturi Tuma Primitivo 2022 Puglia $23.95
-Filippi Vindagoti Garganega IGT NV Veneto $39.56 (one litre in six pack)
-Le Piane Nebbiolo 2023 Piedmont $30.95
-Famille Fabre Pirouette White Languedoc $20.95
-David Reynaud Crozes "Georges" Rhone 2022 (in six pack)
-Patrick Sullivan Chardonnay Victoria Australia 2023 $29.66
-Ant Moore Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand $22.95

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Partida Creus NV 9% [fizz] Penedes $39.95
-Viberti Derthona Timorasso 2023 Piedmont $45.86 (in six pack)
-Viberti Rinato Chardonnay 2023 Piedmont $62.05 (in six pack)
-Viberti La Volta Barolo Riserva 2019 $144.86 (in six pack)
-Therianthropy Bonni Vivant Sous Voile Chardonnay VQA Ontario $26.79
-Madame Flock Class A Riesling 2023 Mosel $27.95
-Massimago Gastone Amarones 2020 $74.95 (in six pack)

The Food: none
The Downside: I came early because of the TTC service which sometimes never exists. The tasting was also congested.
The Upside: A chance to taste many natural wines on a global basis.
The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Virus-free.www.avg.com

Wine Reviews of Featherstone Estate Winery releases...

1.Featherstone Estate Winery Four Feathers 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 +341586 continuously available at LCBO: a summer social sipper or, combining Riesling (60.1%), pinot grigio (18.2%), chardonnay (12.6%), and gewurztraminer (9.1%) – all highly aromatic grapes. The percentages of the grape varieties change from vintage to vintage depending on vineyard conditions. Stainless steel fermentation. Typical fruit flavours to be found include pineapple, melon, lemon, some mango, and some sweet parts of citric tones near the finish. A popular seller, about 1068 cases. Incredibly fresh with juicy-fruity tones for summer picnics. Vegan friendly. 14.3 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.


2.Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2022 VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 +64618 Vintages Essential: a consistent blend  of 95% cabernet franc and 5% merlot. US oak was used. Full malolactic fermentation. Medium-bodied with an assortment of tastes of dark cherry-berry and plums, some leafy herby qualities. Black pepper shows on palate. Long, long finish showing tart-ish food-loving ripe acid balances. Should go well with BBQ veggies. Could keep for another few years (I tasted one bottle over a week) but ready now. Vegan friendly. 3 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.



3.Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 +89011 available at LCBO August 30th: 20% of this wine went into neutral Canadian oak barrels for fermentation, leaving 80% for stainless steel. That contributed to the softness and to the muted tones of grassiness. Tropical flowers are accented rather than tropical fruit, and this too adds to its dryness culminating with ending lime citrus notes for a long finish. It's a great wine for savvy lovers who go for complexity rather than just herbs. At the same time, this allows for more food choices. Vegan friendly. 9.5 g/L residual sugar, 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.



4.Featherstone Estate Winery Black Sheep Riesling 2023 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +80234 Vintages Essential: more in the off-dry Mosel mode than Rhine wine, this delicious all riesling sipper is loaded with a nose of citrus highlights (lemon, plentiful lime, grapefruit) evolving to Ontario orchard fruit (green apples, peaches, pears) on the mid-palate with some minerality and a long finish which also makes it nifty food wine for many Asiatic dishes. Medium body, off-dry. Suitable for aging to get that "petrol" character. Consistent vintage. 9.01% ABV.  RS 20.45 g/L. Vegan friendly. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.


5.Featherstone Estate Winery Rose 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 +117861 Vintages available June 7 AND again on September 27: over the years, this rose has had varying amounts of grape varieties – all dependent on what wily winemaker David Johnson sees as the best possible blend. In the past it has had pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon, as well as gamay noir, merlot, chardonnay, gewurztraminer and cabernet franc. It's an extremely useful wine for any event, any occasion, with any food, or just alone as a sipper on the beach/patio/deck/terrace/backyard/porch/balcony – even in front of a roaring fireplace (as I did just this week when the temperature unexpectedly dropped). Expect plenty of red fruit tones (strawberry, cranberry, cherry and raspberry) in its deliciousness. Great price. Vegan friendly. 9g/L residual sugar, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.



6.Featherstone Estate Winery Gemstone 2023 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 available July 19 Vintages LCBO +46055, currently for sale ONLINE and at the winery: Gemstone is a light red wine, with cabernet franc (57.1%) and merlot (42.9%) suggesting an ease of palate delivery and sipping. After developing in stainless steel and with full malolactic, the wine is aged in 2 months of oak. On the nose you can expect plums and raspberry tones, followed by dark cherries and oak. The cabernet franc contributes some dried herb savouriness, making it an ideal wine for pairing with appropriate appetizers or first courses. The merlot completes the picture with soft velvet mouthfeel. Ready now but can keep for a few years. 2g/L RS. 11.6% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JULY 5, 2025 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for JULY 5, 2025 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, 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 wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for better or best wines available through  LCBO Vintages (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 publication.
Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
I was one of the first to jump on the Robert Parker bandwagon, using numerical indications for my scores in the early 1980s. Why? Because with a database I could rate, rank and order wines in any fashion. It was just so convenient using databases. Unfortunately, the numerical system has been shown to be disgraced by overuse and "inflated numbers"; thus I have quit any ranking by number. From now on, it will just be GOOD, BETTER and BEST, which will give me some wiggle room (e.g. is this wine an 87, 88, 89, or 90? Or all of them...depends on my mood and time of day). With the rigorous standards and lab testing by the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD, which I would numerically rank at 75-85 points. For reasons of time and space, I will NOT be listing the GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with GOOD being BRONZE.  This also fits into my scheme for trade tastings.
MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)=basic recommendation
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine

MAJOR THEME:  Sunny Mediterranean Wines -- Sipping Summer

**ROSE under $20 --- 

+53421 FIELDING ROSÉ VQA 2024  $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
CHILE +43407 MONTES LIMITED SELECTION ROSE 2024 $16.95
FRANCE +37678 C'EST TROP ROSÉ 2024 $16.95
PROVENCE +319392 CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE L'ÉVÊQUE ROSÉ 2024 $20.95
+43568 CHÂTEAU DE L'AUMÉRADE AUMÉRADE STYLE ROSÉ 2024 $19.95  
TUSCANY +556266 RICASOLI ALBIA ROSÉ 2024 $18.95
VENEZIE +25752 SANTA MARGHERITA ROSÉ 2024 $18.95
NEW ZEALAND +43353 ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2024 $19.95

Recommended Wines UNDER $20 
=========================
W+AUSTRALIA +41892 DELINQUENTE SCREAMING BETTY VERMENTINO 2024 $19.95  
W+41435 EVANS & TATE WILD CAPE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 AUSTRALIA $19.95 
W+LANGUEDOC +40434 LAURENT MIQUEL ALAINA BLANC 2022 $18.95
W+RHÔNE +18600 LES DAUPHINS RESERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 $14.95
W+11670 GORGHI TONDI COSTE A PREOLA GRILLO 2023 $18.95
W+646067 AVELEDA LOUREIRO 2023 PORTUGAL $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
SOUTH AFRICA +439554 AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN WHITE 2021 $18.95
SPAIN +461327 BERONIA RUEDA VERDEJO 2024 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)

R+CHILE +542183 RAVANAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
R+178657 NIETO SENETINER DON NICANOR MALBEC 2022 $17.95
R+41787 THE LANE ADELAIDE HILLS LDR 2022 AUSTRALIA $19.95
BORDEAUX +123489 CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2022 $19.95
+224915 DOMAINES ANDRÉ AUBERT VISAN CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2023 $17.95
ABRUZZO +396382 ZACCAGNINI TRALCETTO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2022 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
PORTUGAL +43854 MARQUÊS DE BORBA COLHEITA RED 2022 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+
SOUTH AFRICA +41452 SPIER SEAWARD SHIRAZ 2022 $19.95
SPAIN +13632 PALACIO DE PRIMAVERA VENDIMIA SELECCIONADA RESERVA 2020 $19.95 


Recommended Wines OVER $20 
========================
Fizz - NEW ZEALAND+280172 OYSTER BAY ROSÉ SPARKLING CUVÉE $23.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
W+36806 LE CLOS JORDANNE CLAYSTONE TERRACE CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA $42 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
W+45618 HIDDEN BENCH BÉTON CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $29.95
W+112227 DOMAINE CHEVALLIER CHABLIS 2023 $37.95
W+SICILY 577676 TORNATORE ETNA BIANCO 2024 $24.95

TUSCANY +344416 CASTELGREVE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 $23.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
+438580 QUERCECCHIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2020 $38.95
R+PIEDMONT 638338 MARZIANO ABBONA I DUE RICU 2021 $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
RHÔNE +981787 DOMAINE DU GRAPILLON D'OR 1806 GIGONDAS 2021 $39.95

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better or best" value...on sale  June 23 to July 20...

FIZZ

13TH STREET CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
traditional method, sustainable, vegan
147504 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 mL $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00

CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario,
traditional method, sustainable, vegan
213983 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario,
traditional method
224766 (D – 12 g/L) 750 mL $30.95
NOW $27.95 Save $3.00

TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00


W H I T E W I N ES

CLOSSON CHASE THE BROCK CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara River,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
20899 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00

FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula,
Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 12 g/L)
750 mL REG. $17.95
NOW $15.95  Save $2

ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA
DOC, Veneto, Italy
707158 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00


R E D W I N ES

CAVE SPRING PINOT NOIR 
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
417642 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00

MALIVOIRE FARMSTEAD GAMAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
591313 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

MONTE ZOVO SA' SOLIN VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
650713 (D – 12 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Valle de Colchagua, Chile
322586 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00

PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL SHIRAZ/CABERNET
South Australia
285544 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $16.45 Save $2.50

SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
282996 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $20.95
NOW $18.95 Save $2.00

SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00


** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --- 

From Featherstone VQA Niagara  May 2025

1.Featherstone Estate Winery Four Feathers 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 +341586 continuously available at LCBO: a summer social sipper or, combining Riesling (60.1%), pinot grigio (18.2%), chardonnay (12.6%), and gewurztraminer (9.1%) – all highly aromatic grapes. The percentages of the grape varieties change from vintage to vintage depending on vineyard conditions. Stainless steel fermentation. Typical fruit flavours to be found include pineapple, melon, lemon, some mango, and some sweet parts of citric tones near the finish. A popular seller, about 1068 cases. Incredibly fresh with juicy-fruity tones for summer picnics. Vegan friendly. 14.3 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.


2.Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2022 VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 +64618 Vintages Essential: a consistent blend  of 95% cabernet franc and 5% merlot. US oak was used. Full malolactic fermentation. Medium-bodied with an assortment of tastes of dark cherry-berry and plums, some leafy herby qualities. Black pepper shows on palate. Long, long finish showing tart-ish food-loving ripe acid balances. Should go well with BBQ veggies. Could keep for another few years (I tasted one bottle over a week) but ready now. Vegan friendly. 3 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.


3.Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 +89011 available at LCBO August 30th: 20% of this wine went into neutral Canadian oak barrels for fermentation, leaving 80% for stainless steel. That contributed to the softness and to the muted tones of grassiness. Tropical flowers are accented rather than tropical fruit, and this too adds to its dryness culminating with ending lime citrus notes for a long finish. It's a great wine for savvy lovers who go for complexity rather than just herbs. At the same time, this allows for more food choices. Vegan friendly. 9.5 g/L residual sugar, 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.


4.Featherstone Estate Winery Black Sheep Riesling 2023 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +80234 Vintages Essential: more in the off-dry Mosel mode than Rhine wine, this delicious all riesling sipper is loaded with a nose of citrus highlights (lemon, plentiful lime, grapefruit) evolving to Ontario orchard fruit (green apples, peaches, pears) on the mid-palate with some minerality and a long finish which also makes it nifty food wine for many Asiatic dishes. Medium body, off-dry. Suitable for aging to get that "petrol" character. Consistent vintage. 9.01% ABV.  RS 20.45 g/L. Vegan friendly. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.


5.Featherstone Estate Winery Rose 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 +117861 Vintages available June 7 AND again on September 27: over the years, this rose has had varying amounts of grape varieties – all dependent on what wily winemaker David Johnson sees as the best possible blend. In the past it has had pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon, as well as gamay noir, merlot, chardonnay, gewurztraminer and cabernet franc. It's an extremely useful wine for any event, any occasion, with any food, or just alone as a sipper on the beach/patio/deck/terrace/backyard/porch/balcony – even in front of a roaring fireplace (as I did just this week when the temperature unexpectedly dropped). Expect plenty of red fruit tones (strawberry, cranberry, cherry and raspberry) in its deliciousness. Great price. Vegan friendly. 9g/L residual sugar, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.



6.Featherstone Estate Winery Gemstone 2023 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 available July 19 Vintages LCBO +46055, currently for sale ONLINE and at the winery: Gemstone is a light red wine, with cabernet franc (57.1%) and merlot (42.9%) suggesting an ease of palate delivery and sipping. After developing in stainless steel and with full malolactic, the wine is aged in 2 months of oak. On the nose you can expect plums and raspberry tones, followed by dark cherries and oak. The cabernet franc contributes some dried herb savouriness, making it an ideal wine for pairing with appropriate appetizers or first courses. The merlot completes the picture with soft velvet mouthfeel. Ready now but can keep for a few years. 2g/L RS. 11.6% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures