Here’s a list of wines offered for tasting at the Rideau Street LCBO in Ottawa and the SAQ Selection Store in Gatineau across from the casino. I’ll update this as I get new lists of the wines. You may also want to inquire about the classes held at these stores that provide additional opportunities to taste more wines.
Here are the wine tastings in Toronto and Oakville. I find it doesn’t take long to taste the wines and I fit it in when I’m doing errands in the neighbourhood where the store is located. There is a minimum fee to taste the wines that varies by store.
LCBO Rideau Street
275 Rideau Street (at King Edward)
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5Y3
613-789-5226
Tasting Bar Hours
Here are the wines offered until September 22 at the Vintages Tasting Bar downstairs (a new list usually comes out every second Monday):
$2.00 TASTING
DANIEL LENKO GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2009
Ontario VQA, Canada VINTAGES 356832 $24.95
KEW VINEYARDS MARSANNE/VIOGNIER 2012
Ontario VQA, Canada VINTAGES 355834 $18.95
Grilled pineapple, peach, applesauce, smoke and crushed rock aromas. Big and robust with oodles of smoke and rocks on the palate. This is not a timid wine, despite the doily character of the label. Pineapple and apple again on the finish. This will be an amazing partner for a dinner featuring barbecued chicken or pork, try it with barbecued pork ribs. (VINTAGES panel, July 2013)
LUNA BEBERID GODELLO 2011
Bierzo, Spain VINTAGES 344648 $17.95
ROLLY GASSMANN RIESLING 2009
Alsace, France VINTAGES 328898 $20.95
$2.00 TASTING
STONIER PINOT NOIR 2011
Victoria, Australia VINTAGES 25338 $20.95
Delightful! Happy cherries tickle the senses. Lovely satin texture and finish that makes you long for more and more. Elegant and balanced yet so vibrant. Perfect for a long evening of conversation. Pair with: basil pesto, planked salmon, roast chicken. Drink: 2012-2016. Score – 92. (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, April 6, 2013)
MALIVOIRE MOTTIAR VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2009
Ontario VQA, Canada VINTAGES 125252 $39.95
EDUARDO FERREIRA LICOR DE ANIS ANISETTE LIQUEUR
Portugal VINTAGES 627372 $21.95
$3.00 TASTING
O. FOURNIER ALFA CRUX 2004
Mendoza, Argentina VINTAGES 52704 $31.25
This blockbuster Argentine red blends 50% Tempranillo, 30% Malbec and 20% Merlot. Amazingly ripe and deep wine from 2004, so it’s all that it’s going to be. Thick and figgy aromas bring bacon, mint and cool, cushiony cola notes. The palate is megasaturated with chocolaty oak and dark berry power galore. Remains oaky on the finish; a massive wine to drink now through 2017. Score – 93. (Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast, Aug. 2011)
$3.00 TASTING
OLIM BAUDA NIZZA BARBERA D’ASTI 2009
Piedmont, Italy VINTAGES 340018 $35.95
QUINTA DE VENTOZELO VINTAGE PORT 2003
Douro, Portugal VINTAGES 336354 $48.95
Still in the flush of youth, this creamy-textured vintage Port strikes all the right notes, from complex aromas to powerful flavors. Blackberry, plum and earth notes finish long, buttressed by supple tannins. Based on the rapid maturation of the 2001 and 2002, drink this one from 2010-2020. Score – 92. (Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast, June 2006)
4.00 TASTING
FERRER BOBET 2006
Priorat, Spain VINTAGES 267914 $59.00
G. MICLO POIRE WILLIAMS GRANDE RÉSERVE EAU-DE VIE
France VINTAGES 327296 $67.95
Rich pear aromas and flavours presented in a smooth, creamy, intense, full bodied package. Despite the flavour intensity the balance here is such that this is also soft and easy. Wonderful. The finish is spicy and simply outstanding. (Vintages panel, Oct. 2012)
$5.00 TASTING
BERTHET-BONDET VIN DE PAILLE CÔTES DU JURA 2007
Jura, France VINTAGES 324806 $48.95
This is fascinating, from the amber-gold colour in the glass right through to the delicious finish. The aroma profile is superb, opening with oxidative notes of roasted almond, white raisins and dried apricot followed by iced tea, hay bale, candied ginger and honeycomb. The palate is a full-bodied and impressively complex marvel; the flavours just go on and on. This is a must-try. (Vintages panel, July 2013)
CLAVE DE TÁBULA 2008
Ribera Del Duero, Spain VINTAGES 293795 $99.00
$6.00 TASTING
CHÂTEAU BRANAIRE-DUCRU 2009
Bordeaux, France VINTAGES 201525 $114.85
$7.00 TASTING
CAKEBREAD DANCING BEAR RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON/CABERNET FRANC 2009
California, USA VINTAGES 220459 $155.95
Tasting Bar Hours
I’ll get a more complete list with product numbers soon
Château Fortia Blanc et Rouge
Croses hermitage blanc
Mer soleil
Clos du bois
Corullon red
The calvo garrage
Stags leap
D’agassac
Neyers
Heitz penino
Valley of the noon
Veraton
St francis
Posted with permission of the LCBO and SAQ.
