Brian reviewed this wine:

This refreshing red is a general purpose everyday wine. In the glass it is a deep cherry red with a slight haze. The long legs indicate a normal viscosity. Cherry predominates the nose with a hint of oak. The cherry and oak continue on the palate, joined by hints of spice and blackberry. A medium-bodied red to go with a wide variety of dishes. We found that it went well with pork tenderloin, broccoli, fingerling potatoes and fruit chutney. The aftertaste lingers so this is a wine to be sipped and savoured. We'll be putting 6 bottles in the cellar for drinking in 2015. We'll serve it to guests, take it to parties, or enjoy with a home meal for two.

Brian reviewed this wine:

This refreshing sparkling apple cider from Cidrerie du Minot is a brilliant pale yellow in the glass with a light effervescence. Light bodied with medium sweet nose, palate and aftertaste of fresh apples. At only 2.5% alcohol, this is a popular aperitif that guests drink for taste and for thirst. Available at many branches of the Societe des Alcools de Quebec. We've put a case in the cellar for parties. In past years we've finished off a case after only a few months. Can be drunk on its own, or with appetizers. For instance, it goes well with hummus, tabouleh, couscous salad, and potato chips.

Brian reviewed this wine:

A Gran Reserva Rioja at a Reserva price. Riojas have three classifications: Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. Each has strict regulations about the minimum time the wine has to remain in barrels and then in bottles. The three classifications correspond to longer aging times. This Gran Reserva is a deep dark purple red in the glass, with a hint of brick at the meniscus. The nose comes across boldly with cherries and attractive hints of lemon, raisins, green peppers, and pepper. Refreshing on the palate, cherries predominate with lemon also coming forward. There are also hints of raisin, green pepper, oak, pepper and allspice. The flavours linger in aftertaste. A wine to be enjoyed slowly. This classic Rioja can be enjoyed on its own, or with food. It goes well with turkey dinner. We're keeping it in the cellar for special dinners. Riojas are released when ready to drink. Hugh Johnson says that 2004 Riojas can be drunk now, but special ones can last longer. We've put 6 bottles in the cellar for drinking in 2014-16. It may last longer, but somehow I don't think we'll find out.

Brian reviewed this wine:

Clear in the glass with hints of ruby and pale raspberry, this is a pretty wine to serve on the patio, the deck or the porch. But you don't have to wait for the return of summer to enjoy this rose from Prince Edward County. The nose is a reminder of summer strawberries with hints of cherries and lemon. A treat on a fall day. On the palate it's even more explicit with strawberries and hints of cherries, lemon, and lime. A refreshing quaffer or aperitif. The aftertaste lingers, but also tempts you to sip some more. This is a charming wine on its own. It can also be a lovely accompaniment for the right foods. A roast pork tenderloin with roasted potatoes matches this wine very well. Another good match is ratatouille. If you have a copy of the Bistro Cookbook by Patricia Wells, then Françoise Rigord recommends a rose with her ratatouille. The light acidity of this rose cuts the olive oil of the ratatouille and refreshes the palate so you can enjoy the different flavours of the vegetables all the more. There was a time when you had to drive to the winery to stock up. Now there's a good chance that there is still stock at your local LCBO. We put 4 bottles in our cellar but you may need more. With the right guests, one bottle somehow leads to a second. Life is hard.

Brian reviewed this wine:

Daniel Lenko Chardonngay is a refreshing white that is often only available at the winery in Niagara (where you can taste wines in Lenko’s kitchen). The grape is Chardonnay, but the name, and the rainbow label, mean that $1 from every bottle sold is donated to AIDS research. This is a refreshing light-bodied dinner wine to be drunk within the next year. It is best served around 10-12C so the fruit comes out. It is brilliantly clear in the glass with the colour of pale straw. The nose hints of peaches. On the palate there is fruit, peaches, with hints of lemon and spice. The finish is extended, bringing out the lemon and spice. This is a deliberately unoaked Chardonnay that allows the fruit flavours to take front stage. Chardonngay goes well with Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic and Antipasto of Peppers and Tomatoes. The light acidity refreshes the palate after soft roasted garlic on toast, or the olive oil of the Antipasto. At $19.95 a bottle we’re going to put 4 bottles in our cellar for drinking over the next year.