Edward Rasiulis

Terres De Saint Louis 2016, Coteaux Varois En Provence Rose

A simple but nice crisp rosé that’s a good alternative to Sauvignon Blanc for summer fun

Description: Light salmon in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features passion fruit, pink grapefruit, strawberry and pink roses on the nose. Light to medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Encircled by the Côtes de Provence, the Coteaux Varois en Provence appellation, ten times smaller than its big sister, has a very specific character, due to its terroir and very unique climate.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Asian-Style Scampi with spiced herb relish.

Tasted: 31 May 2017

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

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

Columbia Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Columbia Valley

A rich Cab with candied dark fruits that’s below 14% alcohol

Description: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, plum, ripe tamarind, blackcurrant, Christmas cake, leather, white pepper, mocha, toffee Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Columbia Winery’s new label is a 1,000 times better than the old one, which was to simplistic & non imaginative.

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Smoked Onion and Gruyere Cheese Tarts.

Tasted: 10 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

Yellow Tail Bubbles

Description: Medium straw colour with fine mousse and medium intensity

Positives: This is a vast improvement over past Yellow Tail Bubbles & not only the nicer label & bottle, but the nose & taste. The mousse is fine & lasting. The nose has nice aromas of white flowers, apples, lemon/lime & a little biscotti. The taste is easy to drink & will do well mixing with fruit juices or drinking in its own. The taste has pear, sweet peach, mango & lemon/lime.

Negatives: The taste is weaker than the nose, but Yellow Tail is going in the right direction.

Interesting Things: With the new bottling there is a new reusable top that I really like, so if you need to cork it & still have the carbonation later, just use their top. Drink now on its own or with Sunday brunch or with gelato.

Tasted: 25 Sept 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Gazela Rosé

Simple patio sipper, low in alcohol, low in price & has a pleasant taste

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium+ intense nose and light mousse. This wine features cherry, strawberry & lemon. Light body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is 260 g/l of sugar

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Simple Tomato and Basil.

Tasted: 17 Aug 2017

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

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

Open Sociable Sparkling 2009, Ontario VQA

Charmat method, this sparkling wine shows medium straw colour with medium nose intensity & fine mousse. The nose has a very nice Easter lily aroma along with green & red apple, peach, lemon & some minerality. Taste is dry, medium acidity, medium body, long length & balanced. Easy drinking that has green & red apples, lemon/lime, limestone & peach. Not a complex wine, just easy going. This sparkler was a pleasant surprise to me with no negatives. Drink on its own or pair it with Capresse salad.

Best Buy.

Tasted 15 Aug 11.

Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Foncalieu Le Versant Viognier 2009, Vins De Pays D'oc

I found nothing exciting about it. Peach, a little nectarine, some tangerine. Balanced wine. Not bad for the price, but there's better Viognier's at this price range.

March, 2011

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 10/10, Value: 17.5/10

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LCBO#: 195016

Pelee Island Gamay Noir Zweigelt 2009, Ontario VQA

Description: Medium minus ruby in colour a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Smokey nose featuring blackberries, mulberries, raspberry, cherry, lime & peppers. The taste shows similar notes. Medium minus body with low tannins, good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: Have this wine slightly chilled.

Drink now on its own or pair it with hummus.

Tasted: 29 May 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Hob Nob Pinot Noir 2009, Vin De Pays D'oc

Dark purple to ruby in colour. On the nose, Med+ intensity, showing prunes, dark cherry, vanilla, mocha, some mushrooms and a little cedar. On the palate, low tannins, med acidity, med to full body, balanced with a med length. Taste is the same as the nose. Not a complex wine, and a little to jammy for my taste in a Pinot. On a blind I would pick this as a California Merlot. This wine is a good introduction to people who don’t know Pinots, or those that don’t like a Burgundian style or as a matter of fact, Oregon and New Zealand’s Central Otago Pinots. Drink this wine now, on its own or with food. Paired well with Marigold Chicken & Exotic Mushroom Ballontine made by Chef Tobias from Red Canoe Bistro in Burlington.
Tasted: 19 April 2011
Score: 6.5/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 15.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

Henry Of Pelham Sibling Rivalry White 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Medium+ straw in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Lychee, peach, pear & apricot on the nose. The taste is similar as the nose with additions of pink grapefruit, lemon & limestone. Medium body, high acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: Too much tartness on the taste.

Interesting Thing: Don't over chill this wine as it will dull the aromatic notes.

Drink now & pair it with spinach salad with raspberry dressing. Good palate cleanser.

Tasted: 3 Jan 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

Cathedral Cellar Merlot 2008, Wo Coastal Region

Deep ruby to garner in colour with an intense nose.

Positives: Cedar, dried raspberry, dark cherry, mushroom, pencil shavings & leather. Medium to full body, medium tannins, good acidity with a fairly long length.

Negatives: Pungent nose (burnt rubber) will turn people away, but the taste is nice.

Interesting Point: On a blind I would guess Pinotage from the nose and Cabernet Sauvignon from the taste.

Drink now on its own or pair it with mild German pepperettes or ketchup chips.

Tasted: 18 July 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5