McManis 2008 Syrah (California)

by | Jul 27, 2015 |

(March 28, 2015) … I think it was tasting the current vintage of this wine that made me want to open this older version that has been languishing in my cellar … The nose proved to be a little smokey, a little peppery, but definitely with some red fruit and...

Video: Creekside 2012 Syrahs Comparative

by | Jul 29, 2015 |

MichaelPinkusWineReview presents … Ontario Video Wine Reviews with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus, check it out Today’s wine: Creekside Estate Winery2012 Syrahs Comparative To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus YouTube Channel....

BBQ Reds Week: Stratus 2012 Tollgate Red

by | Aug 7, 2015 |

MichaelPinkusWineReview presents … BBQ Reds Week Here we are in the “Dog Days of Summer”Time to spark up the BBQ, Bring out the Big Gunsand just enjoy the remaining hot days ahead: Today’s wine: Stratus Vineyards 2012 Tollgate Red To get the...

A Passover Miracle (Israel)

by | Jul 30, 2015 |

(April 3, 2015) … I’m at a Passover dinner and I’ve been charged with picking the wine from a certain section of the wine cellar. Kosher wines aren’t a very exciting category in general but there are usually one or two that surprise. I know the...

Le Gravillas 2010 Plan de Dieu (France)

by | Aug 5, 2015 |

(April 17, 2015) … Very quietly Plan de Dieu wines have been sneaking their way into my cellar – yes I am doing it on purpose. Once you learn that Plan de Dieu, in the Rhone Valley, is a mere stone’s throw away from the famed Chateauneuf-du-Pape, you...

More Reds with Andre (California / Italy)

by | Aug 6, 2015 |

A continuation of a previous article – see part 1 here. (April 18, 2015) … The next two bottles were not from Ontario – I found a bottle of Coltibuono 2001 Cetamura Chianti – this came from my wife’s cellar when she moved here, she was...

Ribs and Zin at Joe’s (California)

by | Aug 7, 2015 |

(April 19, 2015) … It was one of those April weekends that you wish always happened – weather-wise and other-wise.  Yesterday I dropped the mic on a gorgeous Ravenswood Zinfandel … today we’re invited over to my neighbour’s place for...

Video: Malivoire 2012 Small Lot Gamay

by | Aug 12, 2015 |

MichaelPinkusWineReview presents … Ontario Video Wine Reviews with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus, check it out Today’s wine: Malivoire 2012 Small Lot Gamay To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus YouTube Channel....

Video: Thirty Bench 2012 Benchmark Red

by | Aug 26, 2015 |

MichaelPinkusWineReview presents … Ontario Video Wine Reviews with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus, check it out Today’s wine: Thirty Bench Wine Makers2012 Benchmark Red  To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus YouTube Channel....

Video: Mission Hill 2010 Quatrain

by | Aug 17, 2015 |

Michael Pinkus Wine Review presents,In Association with Fortessa & Schott Zwiesel … The Wine Review Video with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus, check it out Today’s wine: Mission Hill 2010 Quatrain To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus...

Video: Elephant Hill 2013 Syrah

by | Aug 24, 2015 |

Michael Pinkus Wine Review presents,In Association with Fortessa & Schott Zwiesel … The Wine Review Video with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus, check it out Today’s wine: Elephant Hill 2013 Syrah  To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael...

Thorn-Clarke 2005 Barossa Cuvee (Australia)

by | Aug 24, 2015 |

(April 26, 2015) … Lord knows I did not want to go to a game 7, so this game was crucial and as it turned out I opened this bottle at the start of the third period (my buddy, Joe, and I were too on the edge of our seats to be able to deal with a glass...

43 US Wine Reviews from 4 States

by | Aug 24, 2015 |

Every month I’ll add a number of new International reviews to the website – this month our focus is on the US of A, and in particular wines from 4 states: California, New York, Oregon and Washington … check out the full review by clicking on the...

Taste it Again: Does Rose Age?

by | Aug 26, 2015 |

My Rose Victims (August 26, 2015) … Not sure what possessed me to do this, it was another one of my strange experiment moments and one that answers that age old question (that nobody was asking) Does Rose age?  The simple answer is … apparently not. I...

Las Moras 2005 Black Label Shiraz (Argentina)

by | Aug 28, 2015 |

(May 5, 2015) … Recently, at an Argentinean tasting, I tried a Las Moras Syrah that was truly one of the best wines at the event. What I found interesting was that even the Argentinean, with their hot climate, are moving away from the Aussie-labeling and joining...

Video: Burrowing Owl 2011 Syrah

by | Aug 31, 2015 |

Michael Pinkus Wine Review presents,In Association with Fortessa & Schott Zwiesel … The Wine Review Video with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus, check it out Today’s wine: Burrowing Owl 2011 Syrah To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus...

Alianca 2006 Particular (Portugal)

by | Sep 6, 2015 |

(May 7, 2015) … Now, if memory serves this is one of those special wines that benefited from an off-vintage. In 2006 Portugal the harvest in some parts was not up to par, and so Alianca (producer) didn’t make some of their special single vineyard wines,...

Video: Chateau de Monbadon 2010

by | Sep 7, 2015 |

Michael Pinkus Wine Review presents,In Association with Fortessa & Schott Zwiesel … The Wine Review Video with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus Today’s wine: Chateau de Monbadon 2010 To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus YouTube...

Video: Thorn-Clarke 2012 Shotfire Quartage

by | Sep 14, 2015 |

Michael Pinkus Wine Review presents,In Association with Fortessa & Schott Zwiesel … The Wine Review Video with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus Today’s wine: Thorn-Clarke 2012 Shotfire Quartage To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus...

A Birthday Dinner (Ontario / California)

by | Sep 19, 2015 |

(May 10, 2012) … My wife is having a birthday, or at least we’re celebrating it tonight, and because she digs on sparkling I opened a bottle of Coyote’s Run 2009 Pinot Noir Rose Sparkling which still has lots of strawberry pith notes, though age...

Night 1: All Canadian Wine Championships 2015

by | Sep 19, 2015 |

(May 12, 2015) … Night one of the All Canadian Wine Championships and after a day of Canada I like to open a few things from “away” … Tonight it was a Juan Gil 2006 Monastrell from the Jumilla region of Spain. Last time I opened an older bottle...

Night 2: All Canadian Wine Championships 2015

by | Sep 19, 2015 |

(May 13, 2015) … Tonight at the All Canadian Wine Championships was bring your bottles to the restaurant night and I pull out some old Ontario to see where they were. My first experimental wine was an hommage to our former judging region, Lake Erie North Shore...

Night 3: All Canadian Wine Championships 2015

by | Sep 19, 2015 |

(May 14, 2015) … Here we are, final night of the All Canadians’ and more wine from ‘away’ is poured. Starting with a Castillo de Monseran 2007 Garnacha , Carinena (Spain) – this wine was rated as best value in Canada by the now defunct...

Video: RockBare 2012 Shiraz

by | Sep 28, 2015 |

Michael Pinkus Wine Review presents,In Association with Fortessa & Schott Zwiesel … The Wine Review Video with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus Today’s wine: RockBare 2012 Shiraz To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus YouTube Channel....

The Food & Family Summer Begins

by | Sep 29, 2015 |

(May 23, 2015) … So my niece and soon-to-be nephew came to town and we had a hell of an afternoon of food and wine from the likes of Creekside and Honsberger … Problems began when we got home, and the question became: ‘who felt like more food and...

Video: Alpha Estate 2010 Axia

by | Oct 5, 2015 |

Michael Pinkus Wine Review presents,In Association with Fortessa & Schott Zwiesel … The Wine Review Video with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus Today’s wine: Alpha Estate 2010 Axia To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus YouTube Channel....

Big House 2005 The Prodigal Son (California)

by | Oct 5, 2015 |

(June 6, 2015) … Not the greatest wine I’ve ever had, nor the best Petite Sirah … But there are some redeeming features like the blueberry and cassis aromas … Those notes follow onto the palate and develop a little pepper and spice with a...

Video: Lenko 2012 Viognier

by | Oct 7, 2015 |

MichaelPinkusWineReview presents … Ontario Video Wine Reviews with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus, check it out Today’s wine: Lenko 2012 Viognier To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus YouTube Channel.  

Video: Warre’s 2000 Colheita Port

by | Oct 12, 2015 |

Michael Pinkus Wine Review presents,In Association with Fortessa & Schott Zwiesel … The Wine Review Video with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus Today’s wine: Warre’s 2000 Colheita Port   To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael...

Video: Calamus 2012 Merlot

by | Oct 14, 2015 |

MichaelPinkusWineReview presents … Ontario Video Wine Reviews with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus, check it out Today’s wine: Calamus 2012 Merlot To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus YouTube Channel.  

Video: Delibori 2012 Valpolicella Ripasso

by | Oct 19, 2015 |

Michael Pinkus Wine Review presents,In Association with Fortessa & Schott Zwiesel … The Wine Review Video with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus Today’s wine: Delibori 2012 Valpolicella RipassoClassico Superiore To get the latest videos Subscribe to the...

Report from: Salud Spain

by | Oct 25, 2015 |

(October 1, 2015) … Lookie here, the LCBO put on a gorgeous tasting at the Leon’s ROundhouse in downtown Toronto – and when I say “gorgeous” I mean the wines … Spanish wines have long been a weakness of mine and when confronted with...

Rocca Delle Macie 2002 Rubizzo (Italy)

by | Nov 1, 2015 |

(June 10, 2015) … I have been rather lucky when it comes to my cellar, I have inventory some cellars that have dozens of leaky bottles, but my luck seems to be holding as I have seen very few in my own cellar (and as I type this with my right hand I am knocking...

Montgras 2005 Quatro Reserva (Chile)

by | Nov 1, 2015 |

(June 11, 2015) … The obvious take-away from this wine is that Quatro means 4 and there are four grapes in the blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere and Malbec … From the title you should also notice this is a 10 year old wine, so how does a...

E-blast : Wines You Need to Get (vol. 22-12)

by | Dec 23, 2022 |

Wow, did December blow through quickly. As I am writing this, there’s a storm a-brewing outside my window and the weatherman is telling us all to stay indoors, at least for the next two or three days anyway – but that’s alright, Christmas is right...

Time to Talk Trasimeno

by | Jan 16, 2023 |

(May 2022) … I was invited to Trasimeno, as part of a larger Umbrian tour that started with Sagrantino … The draw for me here was a grape called Trasimeno Gamay; I thought: “Gamay? in Italy? … This might be very interesting” … It...

Winter 2023 – Wines at the LCBO Round-Up

by | Jan 27, 2023 |

Since there are no Vintages tastings at the LCBO head office these days, I must rely on what comes to the door for my tasting notes … below you will find a number of different sources for wines: agents, general list, wines not available at present, etc. but...

Antinori 2004 Badia a Passsignano (Italy)

by | Feb 6, 2023 |

Freshly opened / slight chill from the fridge …  ? Cork is in great shape. Colour is good. ? dark spiced fruit, there’s a little earthy and some coffee bean … ? Got some dried fruit, dry leaves, coffee bean, dried strawberry. This one’s in...

Casa Lapostolle 2004 Clos Apalta

by | Feb 9, 2023 |

Upon opening … Looks incredibly dark; cork is in perfect shape, no wine creeping up. Dark, smoky and cedary – it’s consistent sniff after sniff. Fruit is still there, it’s dark and brooding; there are some notes of coffee and black licorice,...

Trasimeno : A Tasting in Two Parts

by | Feb 7, 2023 |

  Everyone is fond of the term “Masterclass” these days, the name holds a certain amount of charm; today we had two centered around the Trasimeno Gamay grape (to learn more about this variety see here). The first masterclass focused on the many faces...

Joseph Phelps 2003 Insignia (California)

by | Feb 23, 2023 |

(February 28, 2022) … This one starts off a little leathery, but there is also a definite fruity nature that is underlying within that leatheriness. Plenty of dark fruit almost jammy as it opens, and that palate is silky smooth with just a hint of tannin. The...

Castle Rock 2015 Petite Sirah (California)

by | Feb 23, 2023 |

  (March 6, 2022) … Not as old as I usually do in this column, but I thought this might be something interesting. It’s from Paso Robles and a Petite Sirah, something not often seen on its own. The nose is very dark berry and dusty with blueberry,...

A Look at the Vino from Collavini

by | Feb 23, 2023 |

The story of Collavini begins in 1896 in Ignano, Italy, we’re founder Eugenio supplied wine to stores and noble families in Udine. The winery is located in the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, which is the top right corner of Italy, near Austria, Slovenia and the Adriatic...

Newsletter : Wines You Need to Get (vol. 23-02)

by | Feb 28, 2023 |

End of February … there is some snow on the ground in Niagara, but not enough to impede anything; although my car did get stuck on an ice patch. The days are getting longer and I do not dread 5 o’clock and the darkness that rolls in claiming the end of the...

Creekside 2017 Laura’s Red

by | Mar 5, 2023 |

  Upon opening: Cracked the cap and the wine was still young and vibrant – too young to see change in colour. NOSE: Young and fruit driven, yet with notes of cigar box and subtle cedar. TASTE: Lots of raspberry and black cherry, a little smoky and still has...

Torres 2015 Salmos

by | Mar 9, 2023 |

  Upon opening … The cork comes out in fairly pristine condition, a little weak in the middle, but I had little problem putting it back in and pulling it back out.  NOSE: Mostly dark and brooding – I can smell oak so I’m concerned...

Dominique Piron 2015 Chiroubles

by | Mar 13, 2023 |

  Upon opening … Good red colour, cork’s in good shape, using a burgundy glass for this one. NOSE: A little floral and a lot of dark fruit on the nose. There are some tertiary notes sneaking in. TASTE: Aggressive notes of either tannins or wood from...

Dutschke 2013 GHR Neighbours Shiraz

by | Mar 14, 2023 |

  Upon opening … Crack of the cap, a couple of spins and off comes the stelvin; the wine goes into the glass deep and dark and rich looking. NOSE: Raspberry, blackberry with hints of licorice and chocolate TASTE: Lots of smoky, gritty tannins. Fruit is...

Clos des Moiselles 2015 Cotes de Bourg

by | Mar 24, 2023 |

  Upon opening … Cork has wine one-third up, but the colour of the wine is good: red with a little bricking, slight orange tinge, but nothing extreme – this wine is in good shape. It’s a blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (42%) and Malbec...

Santa Margherita Lunch (Toronto)

by | Mar 30, 2023 |

  (June 2022) … Learned quite a bitAmber53 at a Santa Margherita lunch back in June. Took my time getting this one out. Santa Margherita doesn’t obviously need my help to sell wine, they do quite a job on their own. But when you learn something...

A Zonte’s Tasting and Podcast

by | Mar 31, 2023 |

(November 2022) … To listen to the interesting history of Brad Rey and the birth of Zonte’s Footsteps, I invite you to listen to it here . And/or read about the wines tasted below: Starter wines: four wines tasted, three white / one rosé. Of these,...

Brunello Day in Toronto

by | Apr 3, 2023 |

  (November 2022) … A few years ago I was doing this tasting in Montalcino, then Brunello broke with the rest of their Tuscan counterparts and decided to have their own event(s) – two as it turns out: one to showcase the Rosso wines and the other...

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Dinner

by | Apr 5, 2023 |

  (November 2022) … This historic winery brought its winemaker, Marcus Notaro, and five of their wines along for dinner at Epoch restaurant in Toronto. An intimate November affair in front of a roaring fire in a quiet room, where the noise of the world was...

Tenuta Monteti 2016 Toscana (Maremma)

by | Apr 11, 2023 |

  A Maremma (Tuscany) wine that is Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with 18 months in French oak. Opens easily – it’s not that old, so I have high hopes NOSE: pencil shavings, pretty smoked-cherry and subtle cedar TASTE: mocha,...

Video Review : Lighthall 2019 Chardonnay

by | Jun 16, 2023 |

Michael Pinkus Wine Review presents,   An Ontario Wine Video Review with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus, check it out Today’s wine: Lighthall Vineyards2019 Chardonnay To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus YouTube Channel   THE WRITTEN...

Good Dei: 2 wines / 4 vintages

by | Jun 23, 2023 |

(February 2023) … Montepulcino – I have been to Dei before… I have tasted wines here before … I have had a meal here before. But this was a different visit, it was about comparing two Cru (single vineyards) the winery has. One, is the older...

The Podcast Plus: Ponte1948

by | Jun 30, 2023 |

(February 2023) … Meeting with Gabriele Fasan from Ponte 1948 at Mike’s Back Door in Mississauga, for a podcast about the winery – with a big thank you to J. Cipelli and Dana Pancer, listen here or read below (My recommendation … Do Both)...

The Pillars of Supertuscans

by | Jul 13, 2023 |

(February 2023) … Consorzio Vino Toscana was founded in 2018 to protect the name of Tuscan wines, namely those without a DOC or DOCG designation … in other words those deemed IGT. This is an area of Italian wine that has seen a growth of 126% over the...

Vino Nobile Anteprima 2023

by | Aug 1, 2023 |

(February 2023) … I tasted all 63 wines presented this year at Anteprima Vino Nobile, there were some standouts (as usual), plenty of good wine, and of course three that rose above the rest. In all, I scored 31 wines between 4+ and 3 and ½ stars …...

Chianti Lovers 2023

by | Aug 3, 2023 |

(February 2023) … Chianti Lovers was a bit of a mishmash for me this year. Instead of trying everything, I tried to zero in on some regions and areas to see if I could distinguish differences. I looked at plenty of reserve wines as well. Wines from Rufina,...

Ferzo 2016 Montepulchiano D’Abruzzo

by | Aug 6, 2023 |

I remember when I first received this wine from @nikki_zolis @awsmont , I thought it was brilliant back then – time to try it again. Opens easily with no issues – wasn’t really expecting any; cork is still in great shape. Aromas … Aromas are...

Montes 2012 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon

by | Aug 6, 2023 |

  Found this on the wine rack and thought, “maybe it’s time for an older wine”. Opens easily; for a 10+ year old wine the cork is in great shape, no seepage up the cork – the colour is all contained on the end. Aromas … Might need to...

Shinas Estate 2009 The Verdict

by | Aug 8, 2023 |

  This is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia I’d never seen before, it was recommended to me by my buddy Dave in Michigan – if you look close enough at the picture you can see the orange price tag and maybe even the price. I asked Dave what he...

Alsatian Digitasting

by | Aug 10, 2023 |

(February 2023) … You would think that the days of the online tasting are over; what with the global pandemic on hiatus and all. But Alsace has embraced the online realm with their second annual “digitasting” … And what an interesting concept...

Masi 2009 Campofioirin

by | Aug 12, 2023 |

  I have a number of older bottles of Campofioirin, this is my oldest. I figured it was time to give it a taste after 14 years. Upon Opening … Cork comes out with no crumble. There’s a little bit of wine on the end, so it has not crept up the cork....

Thorn-Clarke 2012 Shotfire Quartage

by | Aug 15, 2023 |

  Called “Quartage” because it is made from four grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot … wine was sealed under screw cap. When I opened it the liner stayed on top of the bottle, so I had to pull it off and the wine...

Duorum 2010 Douro Valley Red

by | Aug 21, 2023 |

  I haven’t had a Portuguese wine in a long time, so I spied this on the cellar shelf and decided maybe it was time to change that.  Upon Opening … For a 13-year-old wine, the cork comes out clean and easy. It’s in great shape. Colour of...

A Taste of Italy at Home

by | Aug 22, 2023 |

Put a few recent Italian wines that came to the door to the test on a hot August day (with a breeze blowing through, thankfully). Bozen 2022 Pinot Grigio Aromas of lemon and lime kick things off, those follow onto the palate, adding some pith along the way....

Newsletter : August 2023 (vol. 23-08)

by | Aug 31, 2023 |

August 2023 … Time to talk about wine again. As I have been slowly watching this vintage in Ontario unfold, I have been talking with a lot of winery principals who are scratching their collective heads with every raindrop that falls; many are going bald from...

Altra Toscana Tasting

by | Sep 7, 2023 |

  (February 2023) … The final day of Anteprima Toscana sees the other side of Tuscan Wines, these are in some cases the “lesser known” or wines left behind while we travel through Chianti, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile and to San Gimignano. This...

Madiran Here I Come

by | Sep 25, 2023 |

  (MARCH 2023) … Famed French winemaker / owner Alain Brumont makes his final appearance in foreign markets as Antoine Veiry takes over the winemaking. That would be the above the fold headline and take away from today’s tasting of six wines from the...

Irish Whisky A Go-Go

by | Oct 2, 2023 |

With my favourite Irish Whiskey back in the market, I thought it was time to share some of my whiskey reviews with you. First, what you need to understand about me is that I am not a spirits drinker, especially whiskey (whisky). My cousin tried to get me into Scotch...

Elderton Tantalus : Cork vs Screwcap

by | Oct 18, 2023 |

This is another of my “found reviews”, and is an interesting comparison between cork vs screwcap … let’s get to it: (July 16, 2021) … On a random Friday in July I had a wine-loving friend over (is there any other kind) and we decided to...

Newsletter : October 2023 (vol. 23-10)

by | Oct 27, 2023 |

October 2023 … It has been almost two months since last we spoke – I was letting a little thing by my podcast partner, André Proulx get some oxygen – if you have not seen his Canadaland piece, I recommend you find it and listen – I will...

PRA Winery Podcast Tie-in

by | Nov 1, 2023 |

(July 2023) … We sat down with Diego Corradi, the export manager for PRA winery in the Veneto region of Soave to discuss all things Soave and Valpolicella – the white and the red wines of the area. You can listen to our podcast here , but below are some of...

A Quick Look at Spirits 2023

by | Nov 20, 2023 |

I’ve stated before that spirits ain’t my thing – but I do like learning about them – and tasting them. Sometimes I get it, sometimes I don’t. I find flavoured things appeal to me more than the straight stuff … although I have a...

Montefalco White Wines (April 2023)

by | Nov 27, 2023 |

Trebbiano Spoletino DOC & Superiore I was once told (by a fellow writer) that Spoleto was a gem – but it was said with a wink, so I was not sure how to take the comment. Now I know, that writer meant it as a compliment. Trebbiano Spoletino is like no other...

Montefalco Sagrantino (April 2023)

by | Dec 7, 2023 |

  (April 2023) … Sagrantino continues to be an under-appreciated wine in the Pantheon of Italian icon wines. Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto – all have a status wine: Brunello, Barolo, Amarone, yet Sagrantino remains buried in a mire of head-scratching and...

Abruzzo Grand Tasting 2023

by | Dec 19, 2023 |

  (June 2023) … Abruzzo is an area well-suited for wine. It sits on the Adriatic side of Italy and it’s growing region lies between the sea and the Gran Sasso and Majella “massifs” (mountains). This allows for diurnal temperature...

Newsletter : December 2023 (vol. 23-12)

by | Dec 22, 2023 |

December 2023 … We are here, the end of the year, I decided in the review section of this newsletter to look at Chardonnay. Yes, everyone is giving you their favourite sparklings, and I love sparkling wine, I make no bones about it – but I thought I end...

Loire Valley 2023 – Day 1

by | Jan 23, 2024 |

(April 26, 2023) … First day, first tasting … this is a look at the wines we were first introduced to, described as a “Tasting Of Medal-Winning Wines From The Loire Valley Wine Competition”. I have broken this list down into Red, White and...

BRUNELLO DAY 2023

by | Jan 30, 2024 |

  (November 2023 – TORONTO) … It’s the second annual Brunello Day held in places like Toronto, New York, London as back in Montalcino – all on the same day. The sommeliers poured over 100 wines; all in the similar fashion they do it in...

Villamont & Aiguevillle Tasting

by | Jan 31, 2024 |

  (July 2023) … Put together by EuroVintage and held at the National Club in Toronto. It’s a two producer tasting, both from France: Burgundy and Rhone Valley. We kicked things off with a little tasting of wine from Bourgogne; Henri de Villamont...

Loire Valley Day 3 (2 Tastings)

by | Feb 2, 2024 |

(April 28, 2023) … Time to look at the Day 3 tastings of my spring Loire Valley journey. Morning: La Nouvelle Vague des Rosés de la Loire (Masterclass) This was a masterclass looking at the “Full Generational Transition” (from old to young)...

Boekenhoutskloof Podcast Tie-in

by | Feb 21, 2024 |

  (September 2023) … I have tasted wines from this winery before; that write-up can be found here. This is a tie-in piece for the podcast we did with Gottfried Moche, winemaker, which you can listen to here; there you will hear all about the winery, its...

Rogers & Company Tasting 2023

by | Mar 4, 2024 |

(October 2023) … These guys carry some of the most iconic premium labels that come into the province of Ontario: from Champagne to Napa Valley Cabs, Rogers has the big names collectors want in their cellars. The iconic Cabs from Forman, O’Shaughnessy,...

Chilean Wine Tasting 2023

by | Mar 21, 2024 |

  (November 2023) … This year’s Chilean event was held in a much smaller room than in year’s past, which made for a cramped show, so you made friends quickly; and bumped into them often Chile is broken into 3 Regions – North to SouthAndes...

Languedoc LUNDI 1ER MAI – 2023

by | Apr 1, 2024 |

These are my honest, no-nonsense thoughts about the wines I tasted from the Languedoc’s various sub-regions presented on that day. First, I provide my take on the region, based on all the wines I tried … then I score the wines I liked on a scale of Good,...

Video Review : Cave Spring 2021 Gamay

by | May 9, 2024 |

Michael Pinkus Wine Review presents,   An Ontario Wine Video Review with the Grape Guy, Michael Pinkus, check it out Today’s wine: Cave Spring Vineyard2021 Gamay To get the latest videos Subscribe to the Michael Pinkus YouTube Channel      ...

What I’ve Been Tasting – April 2024

by | May 10, 2024 |

  2027 Cellars 2020 Chardonnay, Wismer Foxcroft (Ontario) This Chardonnay see 25% new oak for under a year and the results are a pretty fruit forward version with subtle floral and delicate spice. The key here is the tropical fruit, peach and apple. ($30.00...

Mark Anthony: Port And Place 2024

by | May 17, 2024 |

(September 2023) … Mass tastings/ agent tastings have fallen out of favor in the last few years, which is why I was thrilled to see Mark Anthony throw the doors open and have one. There are some great producers in attendance and some great wines on display....

What I’ve Been Tasting – May 2024

by | May 30, 2024 |

  Big Head Wines 2020 Raw Malbec (Ontario)    Beautiful florality on the nose; black raspberry / cherry, smoky-vanilla, creme de cassis; and weirdly empty glass shows a cucumber aroma character (neat party trick) – not a primary aroma, but a...

Found Notes, Finally Published – Ontario Wines

by | Jun 24, 2024 |

Sometimes you end up looking through the cupboards at home and discover a pot you had no idea you had, or a gadget you could have used last week (which you just re-purchased on Amazon), or even a last can of your favourite soup … let’s consider this that...

Rose Report 2024 Is Here

by | Jul 5, 2024 |

It’s here, Rosé Report 2024 … download your copy by clicking the front cover of the report below: 126 wines in the spectrum of the colour pink – many available in Ontario, through your local winery, the LCBO or online.      

What I’ve Been Tasting – June 2024

by | Jun 17, 2024 |

 Scoring is out of 5 stars– wine is not an essay folks –here is what those stars mean 3 = average / 3.5 = good4 = very good / 4.5 = excellent5 = outstanding The “+” sign represents a wine that has something extra about it,but not enough to...

What I’ve Been Tasting – July 2024

by | Aug 26, 2024 |

Scoring is out of 5 stars – wine is not an essay folks – here is what those stars mean 3 = average / 3.5 = good4 = very good / 4.5 = excellent5 = outstanding The “+” sign represents a wine that has something extra about it,but not enough to...

First Newsletter of The Year – August 2024

by | Aug 28, 2024 |

August 2024 … I can’t believe this is only my second mail out of 2024 and the first “newsletter”. I have been trying to whittle it down a bit, as I felt it was beginning to get a bit bloated. No one wants to read a long newsletter these days....

What I’ve Been Tasting – September 2024

by | Oct 16, 2024 |

Scoring is out of 5 stars – wine is not an essay folks – here is what those stars mean 3 = average / 3.5 = good4 = very good / 4.5 = excellent5 = outstanding The “+” sign represents a wine that has something extra about it,but not enough to...

October Wines and Updates

by | Oct 18, 2024 |

October 2024 … Wow, did Fall come in quick. One day it was 24 degrees and sunny and the next my Alexa was telling me about a daytime high of 13 and a low of 2. Newsletters have been a little sporadic this year, but the wines, articles, videos and podcasts have...

Languedoc MARDI 2 MAI – 2023

by | Dec 3, 2024 |

These are my honest, no-nonsense thoughts about the wines I tasted from the Languedoc’s various sub-regions presented on that day. First, I provide my take on the region, based on all the wines I tried … then I score the wines I liked on a scale of Good,...

The Franc of the Saumur

by | Dec 18, 2024 |

  (October 2023) … Of the Cabernet Franc regions visited, and wines tasted, Saumur, Saumur Champigny and Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame were by far the most impressive. The ripeness of the fruit led to wines of great colour and depth of flavour, very few had the...

Rhone Valley Winemakers Tour

by | Dec 20, 2024 |

(November 2023) … I have often called the Rhone Valley my “desert island region” – if I am stuck on a desert island and I can only get wine from one region, well need I say more … Today, we get a crash course in Rhone Valley wines from...

The Errazuriz Tasting

by | Feb 28, 2025 |

(October 2024) … A history that dates back to the 1870s, the Errazuriz winery was established through cuttings acquired from Bordeaux. But then the Chilean wine industry ceased its advancement in the 1970s, due to a number of reasons, more politically-based...

Chilean Wine Tasting 2024

by | Mar 5, 2025 |

  (November 2024) … I have said much about Chilean wine on these pages of my website. It was my first real love in the wine world, mainly because it was wine I could afford easily and consistently when I was starting my wine education and cellar. Today,...

Visit to Tenuta Sette Ponti

by | Mar 21, 2025 |

(June 2024) … A side trip to Tenuta Sette Ponti, after A Montefalco, proved to be an eye-opening experience. I’d always known about Crognolo and Oreno, but Sette Ponti has branched out to other areas around Italy, to bring us some very exciting wines....

Alsace Rocks Toronto 2024

by | Apr 3, 2025 |

  (October 2024) … Alsace – The Facts … Alsace is located in the Northeastern corner of France, tucked up next to Germany and above Switzerland. The Vosges Mountains protect Alsace helping to make it the second driest region in France: 20...

Visit to Icario Winery

by | Apr 7, 2025 |

(February 2024) … Icario winery was established in 1998. It takes its name from mythology: the first winemaker was named Icario, which was the name given to him by Bacchus. The farm is 50 hectares of which 25 hectares are planted to grapes: 70% Sangiovese (40...

Pio Cesare Winemaker’s Dinner

by | Apr 10, 2025 |

  (May 2024) … Barolo lovers came out to a dinner to taste seven wines from this historic, iconic producer whose history dates back to 1881 and the great great grandfather of the current owner Federica Boffa – our host this evening. The talk she gave...

Visit to Podere della Bruciata

by | Apr 21, 2025 |

(February 2024) … Podere della Bruciata started its journey as a farm in 1956, moving to winery status in 1998, specializing in “natural wines”. They are a small winery, the most they produce of any one wine is 5000 bottles. The farm is 8 hectares,...

What I’ve Been Tasting – April 2025

by | Apr 28, 2025 |

Scoring is out of 5 stars The “+” sign represents a wine that has something extra about it, but not enough to send it to the next level ______________________________________________________   Banfi 2021 Magna Cum Lauda (Italy) A four-grape blend from...

The Halpern Tasting 2024

by | May 1, 2025 |

(October 2024) … A big room. A ton of wine. Not enough time to do even half. But here we go with a look at some of the good stuff I tasted FOUR-and-a-HALF Star wines L’Aventure 2021 Estate Cuvee (California) – $211.62This 20th Anniversary wine has a...

What I’ve Been Tasting – May 2025

by | May 26, 2025 |

Scoring is out of 5 stars The “+” sign represents a wine that has something extra about it, but not enough to send it to the next level ______________________________________________________   Chateau Beaupontail 2019 Pecharment – Quintessence...

Cyprus 2024 – Day 1

by | May 29, 2025 |

The history of Cyprus and wine dates way back and, for the most part, is a history of bulk wine, sweet wines, and large companies exporting these wines around the world and into Europe to help makes things more … palateable. But the current status on Cyprus is...

Cyprus 2024 – Day 2

by | Jun 12, 2025 |

  Day 2 started much like day one, in a bus going to a winery. After day one, I realized that Cyprus wine principals prefer to talk about the whole of Cyprus and not just about their contribution to this piece of the wine world. It seems like every winery...

2025 Tre Bicchieri Toronto Tasting

by | Jul 10, 2025 |

(May 2025) … Tre Bicchieri seemed smaller this year than in past outings, which made it easier to try more, or most of the wines … so let’s get right to it. There were some real show stoppers here, and there were some tasty little treats … and...

What I’ve Been Tasting – June 2025

by | Jul 16, 2025 |

Scoring is out of 5 stars The “+” sign represents a wine that has something extra about it, but not enough to send it to the next level ______________________________________________________   16 Mile Cellar 2019 Rebel Chardonnay (Ontario) I’ll...

Nizza – Report 1: Vinchio Vaglio

by | Aug 18, 2025 |

Decided to spend my birthday week of 2024 in Italy, in the cradle of Barbera … Nizza Monferrato … exploring the wines, the vineyards and the people who make these incredible expressions of Barbera in its purest form. Over the course of 4 days, I tasted my...

Nizza – Report 2: La Gironda

by | Sep 3, 2025 |

  Decided to spend my birthday week of 2024 in Italy, in the cradle of Barbera … Nizza Monferrato … exploring the wines, the vineyards and the people who make these incredible expressions of Barbera in its purest form. Over the course of 4 days, I...

Nizza – Report 3: Prunotto

by | Sep 9, 2025 |

Decided to spend my birthday week of 2024 in Italy, in the cradle of Barbera … Nizza Monferrato … exploring the wines, the vineyards and the people who make these incredible expressions of Barbera in its purest form. Over the course of 4 days, I tasted my...

Nizza – Report 4: Il Falchetto

by | Sep 10, 2025 |

  Decided to spend my birthday week of 2024 in Italy, in the cradle of Barbera … Nizza Monferrato … exploring the wines, the vineyards and the people who make these incredible expressions of Barbera in its purest form. Over the course of 4 days, I...

Chianti Lovers Day 2025 (Tuscany)

by | Sep 17, 2025 |

  Chianti Lovers Day was short-lived in the tasting room. Slipped in for a couple of hours, tasted about 3 dozen wines; then I was whisked away to Selvapiana to have lunch and talk about two separate, but very interesting topics: the winery and a new style of...

Anteprima: Gran Selezione 2025

by | Oct 6, 2025 |

  The Opener …   When Gran Selezione was introduced to great fanfare, no one had any idea how popular it would become, and how controversial it could be. The original idea was to create 100% Sangiovese wines (Cru Style), but the rules of Chianti...

Anteprima: Vino Nobile 2025

by | Oct 8, 2025 |

  The Opener …   With the hype around Pieve this year, it felt like Nobile took a backseat. Some big-name producers took the year off because they were not ready with their Pieve offering, and so the show ran with the wines they had. There still...

Boscarelli: Nocio thru the Years

by | Oct 13, 2025 |

(February 2025) … This year, during the Vino Nobile anteprima tasting, Boscarelli invited journalists to taste through one of their single vineyard wines, Nocio, first created in 1991. This has the potential to be their Pieve offering, but so could their other...

Capezzana: 100 Years and Counting

by | Oct 15, 2025 |

  (February 2025) … Capezana pulled out all the stops this year, opening a 100-year-old bottle. The opening did not go as planned, but once the bottle was opened… yeah.  This is my first bottle ever tasted of a wine of this age, and it truly was...

Selvapiana: Interview Tasting

by | Oct 17, 2025 |

  At time of writing these notes, the podcast has yet to be released, but should be up soon at Two Guys Talking Wine . Follow the link, and you should be able to find the podcast at some point. Great information both about the winery and their new Terraelectae...

Top Wines From Cuvee 2025

by | Oct 22, 2025 |

  (May 2025) … Cuvee is a very different tasting than it used to be, and maybe that is for the better. Many years ago, Cuvee in Ontario was a unique competition where winemakers became the judges – an interesting idea in theory, until it is not. And...

The Bertani Podcast Tie-In Tasting

by | Oct 23, 2025 |

Recently, we sat down with Serena Bonaventura to discuss Veneto wines, and in particular Bertani wines, their history, and their outlook towards their own and the region’s future. You can find that discussion here. But there was another side: a luncheon in the...

Taste Ontario 2025

by | Nov 4, 2025 |

(May 2025) … Recently, I posted my top wines from Cuvée . A month later, Taste Ontario happened. This is where the Ontario wine producers take over a venue and pour a number of their their wines. This year, it was held at The Quay in Toronto. While I...

Bordeaux 2025: White and Sweet

by | Nov 6, 2025 |

  (Jan. 10, 2025) … This is the day we tasted a whole bunch of wines in the white and sweet range: Barsac, Sauternes and les Blanc Sec. I used a three star system for these wines – as I did with all wines on my Bordeaux adventure – seemed the...

Let the People Speak – Summer 2025

by | Nov 24, 2025 |

Reviews from the masses… I am lucky enough to teach wine classes in the city of Toronto. For 6 weeks I see 18 to 20 wine-curious folks, they come out to hear me preach the gospel of wine on a variety of topics. Each week, we pour three to five wines from the...