Comments for Billy's Best Bottles Wine Blog

Comment on Billy’s Online Wine School by Kathryn

Kathryn — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:04:06 +0000

Yes, these wines are nice. Not too complicated or demanding. Nicely accompanied the spring-like weather we have been experiencing.

Of the two, I preferred the Lindemans as I found it a bit sharper (not in taste, but in feel). Perhaps this is the zestiness?

I liked the Gallo, but found it a bit dry.

I can easily see both at the cottage.

I also picked up a Creekside Pinot Grigio ($14.95), but have not yet opened.

Cheers,

Kathryn

Comment on Olympic Watching Wine #5 by Travis Oke

Travis Oke — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:35:07 +0000

We drank this earlier this week at my house – used it to start the mushroom risotto and drank the lot. It’s also fun to say Gewurztraminer with a heavy german accent. I never tire of that.

Comment on Billy’s Online Wine School – Lesson #5 by Kathryn

Kathryn — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:13:23 +0000

I chose the DOMAINE de DIEUMERCY 07 Côtes du Rhône. It was an interesting exercise to remember the wine from the first week and I was able to taste the similarities. The first glass was straight from the bottle; the second I decanted and preferred.

Comment on Olympic Watching Wines #4 by billy

billy — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:38:18 +0000

Ian, Pelee’s ‘offshore’ Pinot is certainly decent for the price. As are 10,000 other bargain wines in the world. But you are changing the subject. Pelee’s Reserve Pinot is a local ‘champion’ to enjoy during our week of champion athletes. And thereafter.
P.S. Wineries do not disclose the source of their ‘imported’ products.

Comment on Olympic Watching Wines #4 by Ian Cooper

Ian Cooper — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:28:27 +0000

I’ve tried the Pelee Island VQA Pinot Noir and the non VQA version and actually think that the non vqa Pinot Noir is a very decent wine for the price ($10.95). LCBO had that one on sale for $9.95 for a while and it seemed to be developing quite a following. Since its non VQA, the source of the juice is a mystery. Any idea’s?

Comment on LCBO Vintages Saturday Feb 20 by Gary Killops

Gary Killops — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:47:21 +0000

Had the DOMAINE de DIEUMERCY 07 a few nights ago and found it a bit odd. Way over ripe fruits on the nose and taste. Just didn’t enjoy this one.

Comment on Olympic Watching Wines #4 by Gary Killops

Gary Killops — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:43:10 +0000

This is a wonderful premimum wine from Pelee Island at a not so premimum price. If I owned a restaurant, this is one of the wines I would have on my wine list. It’s affordable and will pair well with most meals.

Keep in mind that Pelee has three Pinot Noir labels. There is this one, the Reserve, a VQA Ontario red label bottle and a NON VQA Cellered in Canada blend. Buy the reserve!

Nose is not overwelming, but most Ontario Pinot Noir’s aren’t anyway. Some hints of earth, soil, and oak.

Gary Killops

Great balance, making this a nice smooth wine. Mild tannins on the finish. Noted flavours of strawberries, earth and oak in the taste.

Comment on Super Bowl N’Awlins Style by Travis Oke

Travis Oke — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:51:48 +0000

I toyed with my friends today telling them that I would announce the perfect wine for the Superbowl. Of course I declared the perfect wine for the Superbowl to be beer – but if you can think of a good pairing I would like to hear it

Comment on LCBO Vintages Saturday February 6 by Gary Killops

Gary Killops — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:35:32 +0000

Try Pelham’s 2005 Reserve Baco. (LCBO #461699) Not cheap but worth it.

Comment on Good Article on Privatization by Joe Cox

Joe Cox — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:15:07 +0000

Interesting article, and interesting comments here. I am from Alberta originally and it is true that the vast majority of liquor stores in Alberta carry mostly junk. Even those that carry a half-decent selection of wines are very badly organized and the staff know nothing about wine. The exceptions to that general rule are the wonderful boutique stores like Grapes and Grains, which are few and far between. Interestingly, those boutique stores are very much like an LCBO. The real kicker is that, as others have noted, the prices in Alberta really are higher than in Ontario, which is not what Albertans expected when privatization was implemented. Plus, while retail has been privatized, the Alberta government has retained control over distribution, and most stores just buy from the government catalog. So selection is not necessarily that much better than in Ontario. Be careful what you wish for.