Gnarled Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Gnarled Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Gnarled Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Gnarled Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Price: $17.00
Tastes Like:
Vanilla, Black Cherry, Cassis
Serve With:
Roasted Fennel, Goat Cheese, Pesto Pasta
Sean’s Take
This one was a ride. I tasted it right after opening and I was not impressed. The alcohol was hot and in your face. The flavours were unclear with very angular tannins. Fast forward an hour and a couple of carne asada tacos, this wine bloomed and became a force. A bold blend of ripe fruit, oak, vanilla and firm tannins that fade nicely.
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Bask Pinot Noir
Bask Pinot Noir Bask Pinot Noir
Bask Pinot Noir
Price: $12.95
Tastes Like:
Cherry, Strawberry, Alcohol
Sean’s Take
Pros: Bright, clean, and dry. Cons: Strong alcohol flavour despite low alcohol level.
We labelled this as a Canadian wine, but the label makes that claim murky. It reads “International blend from imported and domestic wines“. Not grapes, not juice…wines. Suggests this is a blend of wines made in different places at different times then mixed together. Nothing wrong with that, but very difficult to make a compelling product.
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LCBO | Wine Searcher
Fuzion Organic Chardonnay 2020
Fuzion Organic Chardonnay 2020 Fuzion Organic Chardonnay 2020
Fuzion Organic Chardonnay 2020
Price: $12.20
Tastes Like:
Honeysuckle, Cantaloup, Unripe Peach
Serve With:
Veggie Pizza, Stuffed Chicken Breast, Spinach Salad
Sean’s Take
Fresh, bright, and lively, What’s not to like about that. Despite coming from a warmer climate (Argentina), this wine shares many characteristics with a French-style Chardonnay. At 13.5% alcohol, it has a nice bit of heat and a slightly tart finish that leaves you wanting another sip. I really liked it and will absolutely be buying it again. Perfect pizza wine if you prefer white.
This wine was featured on Ep 010 Find Your Whites Part 1 of the No Snob Wine Podcast.
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Fantini Pinot Grigio 2021
Fantini Pinot Grigio 2021 Fantini Pinot Grigio 2021
Fantini Pinot Grigio 2021
Price: $10.00
Tastes Like:
Golden Pear, Honey, Melon
Serve With:
Appetizers or just on it’s own
Chuck’s Take
Fresh, light and crisp with lots of golden pear, honey and melon flavours. Light body with an extra dry sugar content, however, I wouldn’t have guessed because it’s very flavourful and the honey notes trick you into perceiving some sweetness. Good balance (leans acidic), easy drinking and a great price at ten dollars. From Sicily, Italy.
This wine was featured on Ep 010 Find Your Whites Part 1 of the No Snob Wine Podcast.
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Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2020
Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2020 Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2020
Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2020
Price: $19.99
Tastes Like:
White Grapefruit, Lemon, Floral, Pineapple
Serve With:
Seafood Pasta
Chuck’s Take
This wine is going to be almost impossible to find but note it’s varietal ‘Verdicchio’. You probably haven’t tried it before as it’s only grown in Italy but if you like Pinot Grigio you’ll like a lot of Verdicchios.
Thanks to Heather for sending us this bottle all the way from PEI!
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Fantini Chardonnay 2020
Fantini Chardonnay 2020 Fantini Chardonnay 2020
Fantini Chardonnay 2020
Price: $9.05
Tastes Like:
Lime, Lemon, Mineral, Green Pear
Chuck’s Take
Medium acidity. Extra dry. No oak and quite inexpensive. Summer value white option. Box white drinkers – this has your name on it.
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Tour de Sarrail Bordeaux 2010
Tour de Sarrail Bordeaux 2010 Tour de Sarrail Bordeaux 2010
Tour de Sarrail Bordeaux 2010
Price: $19.95
Tastes Like:
Cherry, Raspberry, Violet
Serve With:
Stuffed Mushrooms, Beef Stew, Peppercorn Steak
Sean’s Take
I was instantly transported back to my last trip to Paris. Sampling tasty small perfectly executed dishes and sipping wine while people watching along crowded cobblestone streets. You won’t find 12-year-old bottles of wine for under $20 very often. Very french. Very much old world. The primary grape is Merlot (80%), followed up with Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon. A shining example of the possibilities of Merlot. I know many people who are simultaneously curious and unsure about French wine. This is a great introduction to the world of GOOD French table wine.
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Smoking Loon Old Vine Zinfandel
Smoking Loon Old Vine Zinfandel Smoking Loon Old Vine Zinfandel
Smoking Loon Old Vine Zinfandel
Price: $15.85
Tastes Like:
Blackberry, Charred Oak, Black Cherry, Espresso
Serve With:
BBQ Ribs or Beef
Chuck’s Take
Open this when you have some guests over for a BBQ who like full bodied reds with some flame grilled char on their food.
This wine is featured in Episode 009 Find Your Reds Part 1 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Zinfandel of The Wine Podcast for Everyone.
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Verum Malbec 2019
Verum Malbec 2019 Verum Malbec 2019
Verum Malbec 2019
Price: $16.95
Tastes Like:
Cherry, Plum, Violet
Serve With:
Chicken Meatballs, Spare Ribs, Beef Fried Rice
Sean’s Take
Malbec is a medium to full-bodied wine which can be austere or fruit-forward. This bottle leans to the austere (think Old World) side of things. Despite my New World leanings, I really enjoyed this wine, especially with food. The tannins are firm, it’s dry, but has a clean finish and nicely balanced fruit against violet flowers. Very nice.
This wine is featured in Episode 009 Find Your Reds Part 1 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Zinfandel of The Wine Podcast for Everyone.
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Huff Estates All Day Rosé VQA
Huff Estates All Day Rosé VQA Huff Estates All Day Rosé VQA
Huff Estates All Day Rosé VQA
Price: $4.90 / 250 mL can (750mL would be $14.70)
Tastes Like:
Papaya, Guava, Light Strawberry
Serve With:
Seafood
Chuck’s Take
The can makes it easy to travel with. I could see opening one pool side or any place you’re looking to sneak-drink inconspicuously. Maybe at the Sandbanks Dunes. Maybe not. If nobody saw, did it ever happen? Who’s to say.
Non-vintage (no year date on can). Light body and slightly sweet.
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Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay 2020
Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay 2020 Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay 2020
Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay 2020
Price: $11.75
Tastes Like:
Tropical, Honeydew, Vanilla
Serve With:
Green Salad, Loaded Potato Skins, White Pizza
Sean’s Take
A very classic new world oaked Chardonnay. A little heavy-handed on the oak, but if you listen to the Podcast or read my reviews you know my feelings on heavily oaked Chardonnay. If I was offered an inexpensive Californian oaked Chardonnay and this Australian version, I would pick this Australian. It’s more crisp and clean than the usual buttery Chards. If you prefer your Chardonnays on the buttery and vanilla side, this is a great example at an exceptional price.
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Bodacious Pinot Grigio (250 ml)
Bodacious Pinot Grigio (250 ml) Bodacious Pinot Grigio (250 ml)
Bodacious Pinot Grigio (250 ml)
Price: $3.95
Tastes Like:
Honey, Peach, Honeydew
Serve With:
Roasted Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes, Fried Rice
Sean’s Take
There is a mix of bold and subtle fruit flavours, I settled on peach and honeydew to present them. Nicely balanced, easy to drink. Nice sightly tart finish that I really enjoyed. Great spritzer or white Sangria candidate.