Edward Rasiulis

Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2011, Columbia Valley

Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

Easy drinking Chard

Positives: This wine features light oak, medium toast, lemon, green apple,ginger, peach, pineapple, and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Bitterness on the finish.

Interesting Point: I prefer the 2010 to the 2011, and unlike the 2010, this vintage fares better drinking from the larger Chard glass.

Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with lemon pepper grilled cat fish.

Tasted: 4 Sept 2013

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

Simi Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Nothing exciting about this wine.

Positives: This wine features lots of cedar, blackberry, cocoa, blackcurrant, graphite, turmeric and leather. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Too much oak.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with T-Bone steak.

Tasted: 5 Sept 2013

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Flat Rock Good Kharma Chardonnay 2010, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Bright light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

An easy drinking Chard that would be great to take to a party.

Positives: The wine features medium minus oak, some buttered toast, mandarin, orange rind, apple, lemon, peach, pineapple and cashews. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: A portion of sales of this wine goes to the Ontario Association of Food Banks.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with snow crab with drawn butter.

Tasted: 3 Oct 2013

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

Cattail Creek Barrel Fermented Small Lot Chardonnay 2010, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula

Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

An easy drinking and quality Chard from a small Ontario winery

Positives: This wine features light buttered toasted oak, pineapple, lemon, dill, mandarin and peach pit. Medium+ body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat from the 13.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: I like their new labels

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Milano.

Tasted: 20 May 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay 2011, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County

Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

If you’re looking for a Chablis style wine you’re barking up the wrong tree. However, if you like a smooth Chard, unoaked, more on a late harvest style, then this one's for you. I happen to like it. I have to confess, the only reason I bought this wine was I love the ceramic bottle. It’s a keeper.

Positives: This Chard is very tropical featuring pineapple, mango, honey, peach, sweet apple and lemon candy. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated and surprising since it’s 14.5%.

Negatives: An un-oaked Chard having 14.5% and although I like the ceramic bottle the negative is that you can’t see how much wine is in the bottle.

Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with oysters with honey vinaigrette and shallots.

Tasted: 29 Sept 2013

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

The Dreaming Tree Crush 2011, North Coast

Medium light ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

This will appeal to those that like a sweeter style red with lots of flavour & low tannins

Positives: This wine features light oak, cherry, raspberry pie, mesquite and lavender. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity & a fair long length.

Negatives: A touch on the sweet side

Interesting Note: Environmentally friendly winery

Drink now on its own or pair it with stuffed bell peppers.

Tasted: 18 March 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10, (sale price: 8.5+/10) Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Peninsula Ridge Barrel Aged Chardonnay 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

My new favourite, everyday, easy drinking Chard that’s under $20

Positives: This isn’t a complex Chard, but what it offers is very pleasant. The wine features integrated oak, sweet corn, lemon candy, Macintosh apple, pear, peach & nutmeg. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The nose is better than the taste.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops.

Tasted: 1 Dec 2013

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Perlage Canah Brut Prosecco Superiore Conegliano Valdobbiadene 2012, Docg

Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse.

Smooth, more substance than a regular Prosecco & it’s delicious

Positives: This wine features pear, peach, green apple and honeydew melon. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic agriculture and hand picked

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with grilled cheese sandwich.

Tasted: 1 July 2014, Happy Canada Day

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

Rodney Strong Sonoma County Merlot 2010, Sonoma County

Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

I can easily drink 2 bottles of this, as I just love it!

Positives: This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, Black Forest cake, dark chocolate, espresso, bramble fruit, coconut & vanilla. Medium+ body & with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or with beef tenderloin.

Tasted: 18 January 2014

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

San Venanzio Fortunato Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2012, Extra Dry

Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and creamy mousse.

Simple, easy drinking, full of flavour & perfect to bring several bottles to outings

Positives: This wine features honeysuckle, pear, green apple, lemon, peach, pear & some limestone on the finish. Medium body, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with cured meats.

Tasted: 23 June 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+