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The Wine Site for Everyone
Fantini Casale Vecchio Lot 23 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2019 DOC Organic
Fantini Casale Vecchio Lot 23 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2019 DOC Organic Fantini Casale Vecchio Lot 23 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2019 DOC Organic
Fantini Casale Vecchio Lot 23 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2019 DOC Organic
Price: $9.95
Tastes Like:
Plum, Dark Cherry, Oak, Licorice
Serve With:
Anything Italian
Chuck’s Take
It’s your classic Old World Italian weekday table wine. Perfect to have with your stereotypical spaghetti and meatballs on a Tuesday night in good o’l North America.
Medium body, dry, grippy tannins that make your gums feel nice and dry. Something that reminds me of some pretty expensive Barolos I’ve had in the past.
This wine was featured on Episode 6: Counter, Fridge, or Freezer – What’s the best way to save leftover wine? of The Wine Podcast for Everyone
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Price: $17.95
Tastes Like:
Cassis, Cherry, Plum
Serve With:
Grilled Meat, BBQ Ribs, Beef Stroganoff
Sean’s Take
This California Cab really has a little bit of everything that makes for a great (new world) Cabernet Sauvignon. Cassis, plum, ripe berries, some smoke, and vanilla. Big, chewy, and bold.
It’s a touch sweeter than my usual top picks, but this is likely what makes this wine so appealing to so many people. While this is a wine produced at scale, it has been nearly perfectly executed.
This wine was featured on Episode 6: Counter, Fridge, or Freezer – What’s the best way to save leftover wine? of The Wine Podcast for Everyone
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Sister’s Run Cow’s Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2018
Sister’s Run Cow’s Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2018 Sister’s Run Cow’s Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2018
Sister’s Run Cow’s Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2018
Price: $17.95
Tastes Like:
Raspberry, Strawberry, Oak, Light Pepper
Serve With:
Steak and Shrimp on the Barbie
Chuck’s Take
Light-medium body. Kind of a like a lighter Shiraz in flavour and body. Slightly drier too. It’s really nice! Not terribly available but maybe next year in your vintages section, if you see it, try it!
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Price: $11.90
Tastes Like:
Lemon, Gooseberry, Crab Apple
Sean’s Take
The word “tart” shows up a lot in the wine world. It can be good when balanced against other flavours. Tartness usually shows up in the after taste or finish of the wine as part of other notes. This wine is just plain tart, almost sour. It’s just there and not balanced against anything.
The label is certainly creative.
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LCBO | Wine Searcher
Price: $12.95
Tastes Like:
Dark Raspberry, Strawberry, Baking Spice, Vanilla
Serve With:
Lasagna
Chuck’s Take
Medium-light body with a long spicy oak finish that needs a little time in the glass to open up a little. If I had this one again, I’d try decanting it.
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Fresco Di Masi Rosso Vegan Organic Red Blend
Fresco Di Masi Rosso Vegan Organic Red Blend Fresco Di Masi Rosso Vegan Organic Red Blend
Fresco Di Masi Rosso Vegan Organic Red Blend
Price: $18.95
Tastes Like:
Red Cherry, Strawberry, Pomegranate
Serve With:
Antipasto, Charcuterie Board, Cheese
Chuck’s Take
Here you have a nice light bodied dry red that’s made without oak barrels to mix it up a little. It’s a blend of Corvina and Merlot grape varietals. Fresco in Italian means fresh and this wine really tastes fresh! Here’s why:
The grapes are harvested at the coolest time of the day and immediately pressed and made into wine. It’s fermented only with the natural yeasts found on the grape skins, decanted and then bottled unfiltered (it’s quite clear and had no sediment).
This wine is Organic
This wine is Vegan (they didn’t use animal based clarifiers)
This wine is sustainable (ultra light glass and recycled paper labels)
This wine is featured on The Wine Podcast for Everyone – Episode 5 Do you drink Red or White with that?
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Cono Sur Vegan Organic Pinot Noir 2020
Cono Sur Vegan Organic Pinot Noir 2020 Cono Sur Vegan Organic Pinot Noir 2020
Cono Sur Vegan Organic Pinot Noir 2020
Price: $14.05
Tastes Like:
Cherry, Black Cherry, Plum
Serve With:
Steak & Eggs, Grilled Asparagus, Roasted Eggplant
Sean’s Take
Pinot Noir is a great alternative to bigger bold wines that can steal the show. I got the cherry flavours I was expecting and overall enjoyed this Pinot. A bit of ripe fruit or jam was missing which cost it the 4th star.
This wine is featured on The Wine Podcast for Everyone – Episode 5 Do you drink Red or White with that?
I really liked another Pinot from Cono Sur which I gave 4/5 stars and costs a couple of dollars less.
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Freixenet Procescco
Freixenet Procescco Freixenet Procescco
Freixenet Procescco
Price: $6.95
Tastes Like:
Apple, Pear
Serve With:
Fresh Melon, Cabbage Rolls, Stuffed Mushrooms
Sean’s Take
Crisp and clean just as you would expect. Slightly sweeter (but not by much) than other Proseccos we’ve had recently. The bottle I tasted was 200 ml, but the 750 ml bottle is $19.95. This was the perfect amount for a large glass of sparkling wine.
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Banrock Station Unwooded Chardonnay
Banrock Station Unwooded Chardonnay Banrock Station Unwooded Chardonnay
Banrock Station Unwooded Chardonnay
Price: $13.75
Tastes Like:
Citrus
Sean’s Take
My opinion of this wine has nothing to do with the packaging. I think these modern and innovative containers for wine are really interesting. They are lightweight, easy to recycle, and less likely to break.
This wine did not offer any characteristics of Chardonnay. It has a vaguely citrusy aroma and an extremely tart, verging on sour, finish.
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Mionetto Prestige Prosecco
Mionetto Prestige Prosecco Mionetto Prestige Prosecco
Mionetto Prestige Prosecco
Price: $16.95
Tastes Like:
Citrus, Pear, Candied Fruit
Serve With:
Mimosas, Frittata, Fresh Fruit
Sean’s Take
If you like your bubbles to be slightly sweet, this sparkling wine is a great pick at a great price. This Italian Prosecco is really well balanced, subtle citrus, great aromas of pear and candied fruit. VERY easy to drink, two glasses disappeared quickly.
Prosecco is a great, budget friendly, alternative to Champagne. Also, Prosecco makes a great host/hostess gift. Pro tip: bring the bottle already chilled in case they would like to serve it with the hors d’oeuvres
Check out Episode 4 “Champagne Alternatives – Boujie on a Budget” of The Wine Podcast for Everyone for more suggestions on sparkling wines.
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Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante
Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante
Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante
Price: $14.45
Tastes Like:
Peach, Mandarin Orange, Floral
Serve With:
Appetizers, Fresh Fruit
Chuck’s Take
I know why you’re here. You got a promotion at work, and you now feel like a baller. You’re looking to step it up a single notch from Spumante Bambino. Nice! you just did. One. single. notch.
Light body, sweet, 7% and has that recognizable Moscato flavour. A bit less syrupy than the Bambino too. Go for it. Pop a bottle and pour a little out in style, as if money means nothing to you and you’re not responsible for cleaning up what will certainly be movie-theatre-level sticky floors.
Asti Spumante vs Spumante Bambino
This wine is featured in Episode 4 “Champagne Alternatives – Boujie on a Budget” of The Wine Podcast for Everyone
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Calvet Brut Celebration Rosé
Calvet Brut Celebration Rosé Calvet Brut Celebration Rosé
Calvet Brut Celebration Rosé
Price: $16.95
Tastes Like:
Peach, Floral, Cracker
Serve With:
Fresh Fruit, Cured Meat, Soft Cheese
Sean’s Take
I need to clarify something, in Episode 4 “Champagne Alternatives – Boujie on a Budget” of The Wine Podcast for Everyone, I said I don’t like Champagne. What I primarily do not like about Champagne is the price. Yes, I do find it overly dry and austere, but that IS what Champagne is and this $16.95 sparkling wine might as well be a Champagne.
While it’s missing some of the complexity of higher-end Champers this is basically Champagne, I was shocked. It’s made in France and therefore I suspect the winemaker knows a thing or two about blending Champagne (spoiler alert, most champagne is blended wine).
Peach aroma, vaguely floral flavour, fine polite bubbles, clean finish. What’s not to like? Perfect for when you don’t want the sparkling wine to be star of the show, but rather a strong supporting character.
Bonus points for the gorgeous bottle, looks like etched crystal. Really knocked it out of the park. Great hostess gift.