Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.
White Wine
Reichsrat von Buhl Armand Riesling 2023, Pfalz, Germany: Reichsrat von Buhl Armand Riesling Kabinett from Pfalz is a vibrant, light-bodied white offering aromas of ripe white peach, tangy lime, and hints of wet slate. It's off-dry with energetic acidity and delicate sweetness. Serve it well chilled with pan-seared scallops as the wine's crisp brightness and mineral character will enhance the sweet, tender seafood beautifully, or pair it with Thai green curry where the wine's gentle sweetness and lively acidity will balance the aromatic spices perfectly. Chief winemaker Simone Frigerio, who joined as Technical Director in March 2023 alongside Managing Director Monika Schmid, oversees production at this historic estate founded in 1849 by Franz Peter Buhl. Named after Armand von Buhl, the dazzling personality who earned the title "Reichsrat" (Imperial Councilor of the Bavarian Crown) for his achievements in German social legislation and whose wine was famously served at the 1869 Suez Canal opening ceremony, this wine is crafted from hand-harvested grapes grown on white and yellow sandstone soils in organically farmed VDP Grand Cru vineyards. Enjoy now or cellar for 5-10 years. Riesling food pairings: pan-seared scallops, Thai green curry, steamed mussels. Drink: 2026 - 2036 45009 9.5% S 750 mL $26.95 Score: 93/100. March 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Sparkling Wine
Lightfoot And Wolfville Blanc De Blancs Sparkling 2019, Nova Scotia, Canada: Lightfoot and Wolfville Blanc de Blancs Brut from Nova Scotia is a vibrant, light to medium-bodied sparkling wine offering aromas of tangy citrus peel, ripe stone fruit, and hints of crushed oyster shell. This is a Blanc de Blancs, made from 100% Chardonnay, thus the moniker blanc de blancs (white wine from white grapes). It's dry with fine bubbles and energetic acidity. This sparkling wine is made using Méthode Traditionnelle or the traditional method of the second fermentation in the bottle, just as they do in the Champagne region. Serve it well chilled with steamed lobster as the wine's crisp minerality and saline character will enhance the sweet, tender meat beautifully, or pair it with oysters on the half shell where the wine's bright acidity and sea-breeze finish will complement the briny shellfish perfectly. Winemaker Josh Horton, a native of the Annapolis Valley who grew up in Avonport and completed the Winery and Viticulture Technician program at Niagara College before returning home, works alongside consulting winemaker Peter Gamble to craft this wine. The Lightfoot family has been farming in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley for eight generations, originally arriving from Northern England where their forebears worked as messengers (thus the surname Lightfoot), and today they practice biodynamic and organic farming on vineyards overlooking the Bay of Fundy, where the world's highest tides create ideal growing conditions for cool-climate wines. Enjoy from 2025 or cellar for 2-4 years. Blanc De Blancs Sparkling food pairings: steamed lobster, oysters on the half shell, smoked salmon canapés. Drink: 2025 - 2029 16075 12% XD 750 mL $51.95 Score: 94/100. March 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart