Michael Godel

Toronto

Critic and Partner at Wine Align

Critic/Partner @WineAlign / Processor https://t.co/ilmwpo5evo / Wine Director @BarqueBBQ / Ambasciatore @ChiantiClassico / Judge @ WineAlign NWAC / I used to chef

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Articles

Report and reviews from the 2025 Chianti Classico Collection - WineAlign, Articles

1 week ago | winealign.com | Michael Godel

Harvest report 2024, more than 250 wines reviewed, for Sangiovese and the Gallo Nero the best is yet to comeBy Michael GodelWarm days have awoken the vines in Tuscany, the defiant 2025 Ontario winter has been reluctant to end, Spring has not sprung and 45 days have past since the 32nd edition of the Chianti Classico Collection came to another decisive and triumphant conclusion.
Montecucco looks to the future

2 weeks ago | godello.ca | Michael Godel

Mountain wine, territorial identity, sangiovese at the heart of quality, revelatory discoveries, sustainability and a Silver anniversaryIf your presence was requested for a few mid-November days to take in the vineyards and forests on the sub-steppes and aboard the slopes of Tuscany’s Monte Amiata, how might you choose to respond? Could you be of sound mind to resist an invitation to visit wine estates at the behest of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Montecucco and taste their wines?
Montalcino Previews 2024: Brunello 2020, Brunello Riserva 2019 and older vintages - WineAlign, Articles

Jan 20, 2025 | winealign.com | Michael Godel

By Michael GodelBrunello di Montalcino DOCG 2020, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2019, changes to Rosso di Montalcino DOC, 14 estate visits and 250 tasting notes from Montalcino, November 2024. The most recent edition of Montalcino’s Benvenuto Brunello took place from November 14th-16th, 2024 in the Chiostro del Museo di Sant’Agostino.
Buyer’s Guide to Vintages January 4th Release - WineAlign, Articles

Jan 7, 2025 | winealign.com | John Szabo MS |David Lawrason |Michael Godel |Megha Jandhyala

John Szabo’s Vintages Preview January 4: Smart Values even Smarter while HST on Holiday (If Smart at All)By John Szabo MS, with notes from Sara d’Amato, David Lawrason, Michael Godel and Megha JandhyalaHow Smart are the Smart Buys? I have no doubt that sales statistics gathered by the LCBO over past decades indicate that shoppers gravitate to lower-priced products in the post-holiday spending hangover. Hence the annual January release of inexpensive wines.
Annual Fizz Guide 2024: Flat Bubbles - WineAlign, Articles

Dec 5, 2024 | winealign.com | John Szabo |Megha Jandhyala |Michael Godel

By John Szabo, MS, with notes from David Lawrason, Megha Jandhyala and Michael GodelAnnual Fizz Guide 2024: Flat BubblesBy John Szabo MS, with notes from David Lawrason, Michael Godel and Megha JandhyalaIt’s Fizz Guide time! So, what’s new this year? On the one hand, this was the largest WineAlign Annual Fizz Guide tasting ever conducted at, with an enamel-stripping just-shy-of 150 bottles of bubbly submitted for consideration.
Quails’ Gate 35th Anniversary Curated 6-Pack - WineAlign, Articles

Nov 27, 2024 | winealign.com | Michael Godel

Three and a half decades of Stewart family discovery, pioneering pinot noir clones in the Okanagan Valley, Q & A with Winemaker Kailee Frasch and a specially curated 35th anniversary WineAlign Exchange caseBy Michael GodelThis feature was commissioned by Quails’ Gate Winery. On the West Kelowna side of Okanagan Lake, on the Boucherie Road below the ol’ Okanagan Highway 97, you will find one of the valley’s most successful and influential family wineries.
Appraising Austria: Value? Don’t Call Me Value! and Buyer’s Guide of Austrian Wines in the Ontario Market - WineAlign, Articles

Nov 26, 2024 | winealign.com | John Szabo |Sara d’Amato |Michael Godel

By John Szabo, MS, with notes from David Lawrason, Sara d’Amato and Michael GodelThis feature was commissioned by the Austrian Wine Marketing Board. The WineAlign Crü sat down recently for our annual review of the Austrian wines currently available in the Ontario market, including LCBO Vintages and Destination Collection wines, as well as consignment (private import) wines. It was an excellent tasting. The notion of value repeatedly crept into my reviews. And I’m sorry for that. I’ll explain why.
Buyer’s Guide to Vintages November 4th Release - WineAlign, Articles

Nov 4, 2024 | winealign.com | John Szabo MS |David Lawrason |Michael Godel

John Szabo’s Vintages Preview November 2: Premium (Greatest Hits?) California, and The Best From Campania FelixBy John Szabo MS, with notes from Sara d’Amato, David Lawrason, and Michael GodelThis week Vintages brings us a release with a “Premium California” theme, though the LCBO’s selection could well have been named “California’s Greatest Hits.” Those looking for familiar faces will be happy in this crowd: Duckhorn, J.
La Barbera’s heritage and excellence as Barbera d’Asti - WineAlign, Articles

Sep 17, 2024 | winealign.com | Michael Godel

The territory of Asti and Monferrato: The hills, symbol of wine-growing excellence and a UNESCO heritageBy Michael GodelThis feature was commissioned by Consorzio Barbera D’Asti e Vini del Monferrato. The consortium for Barbera d’Asti and Monferrato Wines has been the voice of these Piedmontese hills and its grape realities for more than 70 years.
Buyer’s Guide to Vintages September 7th Release - WineAlign, Articles

Sep 10, 2024 | winealign.com | John Szabo MS |David Lawrason |Michael Godel

Harvest & Storm Clouds in OntarioBy John Szabo MS, with notes from Sara d’Amato, David Lawrason and Michael GodelThe week’s report features the September 7 Vintages Release and the LCBO’s annual harvest-time focus on Ontario. The Vintages circular offers flashy spreads and ample coverage of Ontario wineries, with special emphasis on advancements in sustainability, the rise of hands-off winemaking, and the ongoing search for ever-finer distinctions across the province.