Canadian pride and fierce support for our own products is at a new high. This is an excellent time to buy Canadian and Ontario wines, and in Ontario we have many to choose from. I spoke with Chantal at my nearby LCBO. She’s always friendly and helpful and really knows the stock. She told me that customer requests for Ontario and Canadian products are definitely up these days and that people are seeking advice about trying more Canadian products. This is great news for Canada’s wine industry. I picked out a few Ontario wine gems that are all highly recommended, plus a mouthwatering maple whisky from Quebec.
This is a full-bodied and flavourful red wine with ripe flavours of blueberries, raspberry jam, prunes and vanilla, with hints of smoke and black pepper. The texture is smooth and the savoury finish is smoky. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks has optimized the bright fruit flavours and aging in oak for six months adds depth and body. It’s a speciality at Henry of Pelham. Pair it with roast pork or burgers on the grill. Sustainably grown.
Extra Dry • 13% LCBO# 270926 • $16.95
The Icon is back at Vintages and I highly recommend that you grab a couple of bottles soon, because it will fly off the shelves. It’s crafted from the finest Niagara Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes, in a fragrant and flavourful Bordeaux style with tons of sensuous blackcurrant and dark berry notes, vanilla, cocoa and sweet spice. Mouthwatering acidity, too. It’s perfect with ribs. This is one of Canada’s most iconic wines and a repeat performer at my house.
Dry • 13% • LCBO Vintages# 303800 • $27.95
An outstanding Riesling from a highly regarded winery. Riesling is another wine that Ontario does particularly well. This one is fragrant and flavourful, with lovely notes of pear, white flowers, lime, ginger and slate. A well-balanced Riesling such as this has excellent acidity that makes it work well with a variety of foods, including those with a bit of spice. Enjoy it with spicy Asian dishes. Farmed organically.
Dry • 10.5% • LCBO Vintages# 198853 • $24.95
Luscious and satiny! Ontario makes a rich variety of world-famous Icewines. This is a personal favourite, with its candied berry nose, strawberry/rhubarb palate and silky, honeyed texture. It shows excellent balance between acidity and sweetness. Enjoy it with chocolate desserts or on its own for a liquid dessert. Makes a fantastic gift wine, too.
Sweet • 11% • LCBO Vintages# 53397 • $34.95 • 200 ml
If you want to put a Canadian twist on your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, here’s the perfect Canadian whisky to try. Developed from a recipe used by early Quebec settlers, it combines Canadian whisky with Quebec maple syrup for a totally delicious result. Fantastic poured into coffee or hot chocolate! Top it with whipped cream, and you’ll be dancing an Irish jig!
Medium Sweet • 30% • LCBO# 250134 • $35.60 • 750 ml
This is an ideal time to buy Ontario wines and support our local economy. Have fun trying something new!
For more wine and food discovery from Jane Staples, visit www.bellovinoj.com
Header photo: iStock
