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Here are my top wine picks from the September 12, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where local wines from Ontario are the focus of the feature story. While the release is quite good overall, with a number of high-quality wines, the first word that comes to mind when I think about…

Photo: Karen Yeung Adega on 45th Estate Winery: the name needs a little explanation. Adega is Portuguese for cellar: the winery, which opened in 2011, was established by individuals of Portuguese stock – Alex Nunes, his brother-in-law, Fred Farinha, and their spouses. The winery is on 45th Street which runs along the east side of…

VineRoutes looks at 20 BC wineries standing out at the moment, based on recent first-hand visits, panelist impressions and a combination of wine quality, hospitality and the overall visitor experience There is no shortage of excellent wineries in British Columbia. From the Okanagan Valley to Vancouver Island and beyond, the province’s wine industry has developed…

Tonight’s red wine review is a lovely, high-altitude, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley that was featured as a Hand-Picked Gift in the recent August 29 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. Like the lovely 2023 Tapiz Alta Collection San Pablo Vineyard Malbec I enjoyed a few months ago, this red wine is produced by…

KEEP COZY WITH KAPUA THIS AUTUMN Kapua Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand, makes every cozy autumn occasion feel special, from planned dinners to spontaneous hangouts. As the weather turns cool and gatherings shift indoors, autumn brings a new opportunity to savour the simple pleasures of good food, delightful company and a cozy glass of wine. While the season may be synonymous with rich, warming flavours,…

Reading Time: 6 minutes [Summerland, BC] I recently returned to Solvero Wines in Summerland’s Garnet Valley, but this visit was very different from my previous trips. I first wrote about Solvero when the winery opened in 2023, focusing on its premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and the remarkable Garnet Valley site. I returned to the…

Grappa: Italy’s Pomace Spirit Wine production leaves behind a substantial amount of solid material after grapes have been pressed. The skins, seeds, pieces of pulp, and sometimes stems are collectively called pomace, or vinaccia in Italian. For centuries, much of this material had little commercial value once the juice had been removed. It still contained…

Monday, September 7th: Tasted two more wines from Palatine Hills. Palatine Hills Overtime Sparkling Brut Nature Golden straw in colour; persistent mousse of tiny bubbles; toasty, leesy, apple nose; light to medium-bodied, dry, apple flavour with biscuity notes, lively acidity and long finish. (89) Palatine Hills Overtime Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Dense purple-ruby; cedary, spicy, black…

Part 3: Mission Hill Tour After our luncheon at CedarCreek, we were on our way to scenic Mission Hill, one of the cornerstones of the Okanagan wine industry. Anthony von Mandl purchased the struggling Golden Valley winery in 1981 and renamed it Mission Hill. The winery itself dates back to 1966, but von Mandl’s vision…

Save the Date as Canada’s top food and wine destinations are set to be recognized for their excellence The second annual VineRoutes Restaurant Awards are almost here! On September 29, we’ll reveal which restaurants across Canada will be recognized for delivering outstanding food and wine experiences, as well as their commitment to exceptional wine programs.…