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Every tasting note is personally written by internationally accredited wine judge Michael Vaughan - no one else tastes for me! Moreover, every Vintages tasting note is based on sampling two separate bottles of each product (with the exception of spirits)! This greatly increases accuracy, especially as up to 5% of all wines have cork related problems! As a result many scores are revised as a result of this second tasting! It is the only publication whose ratings are based on tasting two separate bottles!

The ratings are based on a maximum of three stars *** which reflects the quality and drinkability of the product today. Price/quality considerations are reflected in designations like Best Buy, Recommended or Release Highlight. The Explorer's Selection suggests that wine is worth trying but that its flavours, style and/or price are such that it may not appeal to everyone. Try a bottle first! The food that accompanies a wine, as well as the configuration of the glass, can change the wine's "objective" rating and enjoyment. In essence, the only thing that matters is if this rating system works for you as a useful buying tool. To identify who represents the brand, our Agent Id (a six letter code consisting of the first three letters of the company's first and second name) is included along with the number of cases the LCBO has purchased.

  - - = Poor                     
  - = Below Average
   * = Average            
*+ = Good                 
** = Very Good       
  **+ = Excellent              
*** = Outstanding        

About the Author...

With more than two decades of journalism, teaching and wine tasting experience, he is an internationally-accredited wine judge (from INTERVIN to France's VINEXPO) and was a Founding Director of the Society of Wine Educators. His columns have appeared in more than two dozen publications including Toronto Life Magazine. You can catch his current weekly Saturday columns in the Toronto section of National Post.