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Canada Day's Top Ten, Eh - The Endless Search
© Michael Vaughan 2006
National Post Weekly Wine & Spirits Columnist
Saturday, July 1, 2006

LIVE WINE LINK
www.winefind.ca
(CLICK ON THE NAME - All listings are automatically linked to the LCBO database)
If there is a product that interests you, just click on the name below and you will instantaneously connected with the LCBO database. The product will appear in blue and all you have to do is click on the name again and then the next screen will provide details along with the store search. Just click on store search. The number of bottles in each store is updated nightly. Call the store first to see if stock still remains (each store phone number is listed).

It's almost impossible to name the top ten Canadian wines to celebrate Canada Day. How does one choose? It is based in terms of value, what's available at the LCBO or does it include everything still available at the wineries? Should it include all of Canada or just Ontario?

The numerous guides and competitions revealing "the" best can be helpful. However, as some results are from tastings held last year, many of the recommended wines are now long gone. Also, as profit-driven competitions are based on paid-for submissions, some of the best producers don't bother submitting their top wines. Consequently, one has to take "the best" with a grain of salt.

Given spotty availability, I am focusing on Ontario. Naturally, I have not tasted all the new wines out there - many are just being released from small premium producers. Here is today's list:

Best Buy Ontario Sparkler

13th Street Cuvée Thirteen Sparkling 2003 at $22 (winery only)
Dry and delicious sparkler with ripe, melon-plum fruit with hints of strawberry

Cheap & Cheerful Whites
(General List in Magnum)

Pelee Island Vineyard 2005 Pinot Grigio (614826 GL) at $16.95 (1500 mL)
Surprisingly tasty, medium-light bodied, zesty, ripe lemon-melon flavours with a crisp finish.

Pelee Island Vineyard 2005 Gewurztraminer (622068 GL) at $19.95 (1500 mL)
Spicy, bright, medium-light to light bodied, gently lychee flavours with a refreshing finish.

A Riesling to Remember

Chateau des Charmes 2004 Riesling Estate (277228 GL) at $15.95
Spicy, bright, just off-dry, slightly honeyed, tangy-ripe lemon melon flavours

Best Buy Chardonnay

Cave Spring Cellars 2003 Chardonnay Reserve (256552 V) at $19.95
Solid, very dry, well-structured, cedary, ripe lemon-melon flavours with a lingering ripe pear and lime purée finish

Thirteen Street 2004 Reserve Chardonnay at $25 (winery only)
Wonderful, complex, toasty, ripe pear, hazelnut and key lime pie flavours

A Great Rosé

Henry of Pelham 2005 Rosé (613471 V) at $11.95
Dry, light, crisp rosé with lots of mouth watering, plummy, raspberry fruit.

Pinot Noir to go!

Henry of Pelham 2004 Unfiltered Pinot Noir (268391 W) at $24.95
Refined, expressive, tangy, plumy, ripe red cherry flavours with a lingering finish.

Best Value Vidal Icewine

Coyote's Run Winery 2004 Vidal Icewine Barrel Fermented
at $40.00 (375 mL) Winery Only (219 cases)
Sweet, balanced, intense, honeyed, Seville orange marmalade, caramelized apple flavours with a lingering, zesty finish.

Finally, Thank God it isn't wine!

Sleeman Cream Ale (909994) at $11.95 (341 mL x6)
Dry, slightly honeyed, elegant, mildly bitter hoppy flavours with a refreshing finish.

2001-2002-2003-2004-2005-2006 Tasting Note Database
Our tasting note database from December 31, 2000 to June 2006, covers every Vintages release product for the past 66 months. There are more than 13,000 notes in the database data. Just enter the name of the product, supplier name or CSPC number. Or you can search by type of wine, country of origin, even wine agent! Nothing could be easier. Also you can get information on the agent by clicking on the agent’s name, as well as current LCBO store inventory by clicking on "Check LCBO Availability", which will automatically tell you the number of bottles at LCBO as of last night.

To use our Tasting Notes Database: click here

** For All Visitors **
Vintages Releases
To see the complete list of upcoming products from the
July 8 release, including In-Store Discovery items,
click here (sorted by date of release).
You can also see it sorted by agent click here
To see the complete list of upcoming products from the
July 22 release, including In-Store Discovery items,
click here (sorted by date of release).
You can also see it sorted by agent click here

Copyright Food & Beverage Testing Institute of Canada 2006
Prior written permission is required for any form of reproduction
(electronic or other wise) and or quotation.
Contact Michael Vaughan at
mbv@total.net