Author Archives: John Galea

PAOLO CONTERNO BAROLO GINESTRA 2001

A while back my Dad asked for a recommendation for a Christmas present to give my brother in law who is quite the Barolo lover. I did some research and came up with recommendation for him, this wine. My Dad … Continue reading

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2010 Villa Maria Sauv Blanc

Pale in color with a nice smooth grassy nose. On the mid pallet this wine has some nice grassy flavours to go along with the nose along with some mild citrus flavours. The wine is on the lighter side of … Continue reading

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LES HAUTS DE MONTFORT LES MÉGALITHES 2009

Dark in color with a mild nose. On the mid pallet the wine has some mild fruit flavors, cassis and some earthy flavors. On the finish the wine has some nice dryness and tannins well in check. For the price … Continue reading

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2008 Haynes Barns Cab/Merlot

I last reviewed the 2009 that I tasted at Big White Ski resort and was impressed. Okanogan wines have a very distinctive taste. This wine is dark in color with a mild nose. Right out of the bottle this wine … Continue reading

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Ontario wine tasting events in Toronto

There are two great Ontario wine tasting events here in Toronto. Be sure and check them out! They are a great opportunity to checkout a lot of different Ontario wineries! Taste Ontario (an LCBO event) is on Sept 28th and … Continue reading

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2007 Stratus Cab Franc

I had this one at Corks the other night. Dark in color with a mild nose of dark berries and some alcohol on the nose. Almost vermouth like. On the mid pallet there are some black berries and noticeable alcohol … Continue reading

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2010 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay

I’ve blogged about this wine for a bit now. It’s on my fav list and one of my go to wines. It’s tough to find a good inexpensive California style chard. Pale in color with a mild chard nose. On … Continue reading

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2010 Jackson Triggs Silver Series Chardonnay

We grabbed this one at the winery while on our tour of Niagara on the lake. Pale in color with a mild nose. On the mid pallet this is softer well made chard dominated by some oak, some vanilla, slightly … Continue reading

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MOMO PINOT NOIR 2009

New Zealand is known best for Sauv Blanc and Pinot Noir. I like Pinot Noirs, but everyone does. Garnet in color with a mild nose of red berries, strawberries and raspberries. On the mid pallet this wine matches the nose … Continue reading

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Lailey 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

I tasted this one at the winery as well as at The Charles Inn at dinner. Pale in color with a nice nose with some, with some green grassyness, and minerality coming through. On the mid pallet nice green flavors … Continue reading

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2009 Marynissen Gamay Noir

Garnet in color with an earthy almost pinot noir like nose. Quite pleasant and inviting. On the mid pallet the wine displays some nice pinot noir like flavors, some mild strawberries and some nice firm rustic flavors. On the finish … Continue reading

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ÁLVARO PALACIOS PLÁCET VALTOMELLOSO 2009

Another wine from the WineAlign Spanish wine tasting at the Spoke club featuring wines from ÁLVARO PALACIOS. The event was run by David Lawrson and featured the wine maker, Alvaro Palacios, sharing his passion with wine making! Woodman Wines and … Continue reading

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2009 Marynissen Oaked Chardonnay

My nephew has been encouraging me to stop by Marynissen for a while now so when we were in Niagara on the Lake we stopped by the winery. I have to say I was impressed with the wines. Niagara on … Continue reading

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Borgogno 2010 Barbera D’Alba Superiore

Trialto recently held a Borgogno Barolo tasting at the fine wine reserve! Dark in color with a fair amount of wood on the nose. On the mid pallet this is a semi sweet fruit forward easy drinking wine. On the … Continue reading

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2010 Canyon Oaks Cab Sauv

Vinexx hosted a tasting event at Martini house in Burlington. This wine is on their by the glass menu at $10 for a 6 oz pour so I thought I’ve give it a whirl. Dark in color with a lovely … Continue reading

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VALDEMAR INSPIRACIÓN VALDEMAR 2006

Dark in color with a rich nose of dark berries. On the mid pallet the wine displays some subtle dark berries, intense dried berry flavors. On the medium finish the wine displays some lovely subtle flavors, some silky smooth tannins … Continue reading

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CHATEAU SMITH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009

Dark in color with a dark berries nose. On the first sip right out of the bottle the wine first starts out on the front of the mouth as having some deep rich red berries which your just starting to … Continue reading

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2009 PETER LEHMANN BAROSSA SHIRAZ

Another one I tasted this one at the Toronto Wine and Spirits festival. Inky dark in color with lovely rich black berries coming through on the nose. This one has a lovely nose to it. Particularly nice! On the mid … Continue reading

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2011 Henry of Pelham Sauvignon Blanc

Stopped by the Red Lobster the other day and this one was on the by the glass menu. I’ve had a string of good Niagara Sauv Blanc’s lately so I thought I’d give it a try. Pale in color with … Continue reading

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NHL Alumni Hat Trick Wines

I tasted these two at the Toronto Wine and Spirits festival. Ok, I have to admit it, I’m a sucker for the whole NHL Alumni thing. Brings back fond memories of when I was a kid and hockey players did … Continue reading

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2001 Lodge Hill Shiraz

I’ve had this one in the cellar August 2004. The write I had said drink now through 2012. Proper record keeping and cellar management are key to not missing the wine before it’s peak! If you need help with your … Continue reading

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2009 Rosehall Run Chard Cuvee County mini review

Another one I tasted this one at the Toronto Wine and Spirits festival. This wine is made from county fruit. If you are tasting Prince Edward County wines you have to ask. They sometimes bring in fruit from Niagara to … Continue reading

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SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2010 mini review

When I’ve traveled down to Niagara I have spent a lot more time in the bench area near Beamsville. So I don’t know the Niagara on the Lake area (where this wine is from) very well. The tastings I have … Continue reading

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Toronto Wine and Spirits event

I attended the Toronto Wine and Spirit event last night. They are holding it at Sugar Beach at the corner of Jarvis and Queens Quay. It’s $30 to get in (which includes 5 tasting tickets) and then you pay for … Continue reading

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2006 Kendal Jackson Chardonnay

Back in 2008 I decided to try a little experiment. I put away a couple California style chards to test aging. I got the idea from a Global Wine Tour’s tasting event where they featured an aged Chard. Something I … Continue reading

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