Our destination this month was beautiful British Columbia, renowned for its scenic vistas and its wine growing friendly weather. Our selection of British Columbia wines at the LCBO was very restricted, driving our wine tasting members to many outlets in search of a suitable selection for our wine tasting occasion. Our usual price point is $20.00 per bottle and under, keeping in mind that our readers are not usually interested in anything over this price point. In truth, neither are the wine tasters. There are very few BC wines found in the LCBO (only one) to be under $20.00 with most at the $25.00 range and above. We would like to share with you the two vintages that we enjoyed.
During our discussions regarding price points, it was brought to our attention that The Toronto Star had an article on ten top wines under $10.00 by Carolyn Hammond. We hope that you will find this list of wines interesting and try some of her selections.
Top ten wines $10 or less right now at the LCBO | The Star
The Wine Club will be tasting wines from the Pacific Northwest of the United States (Oregon and Washington) at our next Wine Tasting meeting on May 5th.
Oak Bay Vineyard – 2019 Pinot Noir
Reviewed by Timothy Sulisz
This red Pinot Noir from Oak Bay Vineyard in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia was the only wine under $20.00 from BC that I could find in the LCBO at the Crossroads Plaza. It was released by Vintages Front Line on January 8, 2022, and has an Alcohol Content of 12.9%. It has a sugar content of 2 g/L. It costs $19.95 per bottle.
The LCBO describes it as a friendly-priced Pinot that is fermented in French oak and offers sour cherry, beetroot and earthy notes and a touch of toasty wood smoke. On the back of the bottle, it is described as a well structured medium body wine with red plum and cherry notes that are highlighted by hints of vanilla, tobacco and truffles. One customer on the LCBO website described it as being a light garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin and a long length on the finish. This wine features sour cherries, red plum, beetroot, peat moss, champagne mushrooms and smoked cherry tobacco on the nose.
According to the LCBO, the producer suggests pouring it alongside scallops with back bacon and vanilla. On the back of the bottle, it suggests that the wine is great with sushi and sashimi, pacific scallops, or even salt spring island lamb with mustard spaetzli. Another reviewer suggested that it would be good paired with no fuss meaty dinners – sausages, burgers, or chicken. I tried it with a buttered English muffin spread with a Herb and Garlic Boursin cheese at the Wine Tasting Club meeting, and thought that it was quite good with that.
Overall, I found that this medium bodied Pinot Noir was, as expected – not as heavy as a Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon. It was very drinkable, with mild tannins and a rich flavour. It wasn’t a complex wine with multiple layers of flavours, aromas and mouth feels, but it did have a bit of a tang at the end. Ratings were very inconsistent with the wine getting as high as 94/100, while others described it as just an average Pinot Noir. Overall, I enjoyed the wine and would buy it again, and felt that it offered reasonable (but not exceptional) value for the price.
About the Winery
The St Hubertus & Oak Bay Vineyards were originally planted in 1928 by J.W. Hughes during a time when agricultural land was plentiful. Since 1984, the Gebert Families use sustainable and organic farming practices on their 80 acre vineyard to produce 100% Estate Grown wines that reflect the terroir of the “South Kelowna Slopes” located in the north Okanagan Valley under the St Hubertus and Oak Bay Label.
Mission Hill Family Estate – 2020 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
Reviewed by Linda Hasler
This wine by Mission Hill Family Estate was the only Sauvignon Blanc from British Columbia that I could find at the LCBO. It was a bit over our price point of $20.00, at cost of $22.99. It has a 12.5% alcohol rating.
I enjoyed this wine, since it is a very pleasant tasting Sauvignon Blanc with a nice finish. However, for those who enjoy Sauvignon Blanc, I doubt that it would stand up well beside a good New Zealand competitor, partially because of the taste and also because it is in a higher price range than the average NZ Sauvignon Blanc.
Winemaker Notes
Our 2020 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc was primarily grown in our southernmost estate vineyards in Osoyoos. Each vineyard has a distinct microclimate lending unique flavour characteristics to the varietal before it becomes part of the final blend.
Tasting Notes
Incredible brightness and intensity of fruit highlighted by crisp notes of lime and lemon-grass; complemented with hints of gooseberry on the complex lingering finish.
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 