Category: Uncategorized

Wine Growers BC says safety remains the priority as wineries and vineyards across the region respond to evacuation orders and wildfire threats The British Columbia wine industry is responding to an escalating wildfire situation across the province, with wineries, vineyards and wine-industry workers among those affected as fires continue to threaten communities in the Okanagan…

By Laurence-Michèle Dufour We’re currently witnessing history in the making for Québec wines. Vignoble de l’Orpailleur, Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise and Vignoble de La Bauge have all crossed a major milestone by celebrating over 40 years of existence. Today, with trends rapidly evolving, these groundbreaking pioneers are slowly making room for a new generation of winemakers. In fact,…

New academy brings CAPS Ontario’s internationally recognized sommelier certification program directly to students, with Fall 2026 registration now open The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) Ontario chapter has opened registration for the Fall 2026 cohort of its Certified Sommelier Program. Now run under the auspices of the new CAPS Ontario Sommelier Academy, classes begin…

Tonight’s red wine review is a lovely, vegan-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River in Western Australia and made its debut at the LCBO in the August 1 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It is produced by Byron & Harold, a wine company that was founded in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia in…

Montalcino is one of Tuscany’s great wine regions, yet its story is surprisingly simple. Every serious wine made here comes from a single grape: 100% Sangiovese. Locally, the historic clone is known as Brunello, or “the little dark one,” prized for its thicker skins, deeper colour, firmer tannins, and remarkable ageing potential. What makes Montalcino…

I enjoy the wines from Fort Berens anytme, but I especially enjoy their wines at this time of year. The wines are so crisp and refreshing it’s hard not to imagine how good a glass would taste right now. So my hearty recommendation is to pick your favourite, or two, or three, or more from…

Reading Time: 2 minutes Red Bird Estate Winery’s 2024 Atelier Red with Stir-fry and rice Long before British Columbia’s wine industry captured international attention, the Kootenays quietly developed a reputation for independent thinking and small-scale craftsmanship. That same spirit continues today at Red Bird Estate Winery, a family-owned winery near Creston where Rémi and Shannon…

Tonight’s red wine review is this excellent, organic Frappato from the Sicilia Vittoria DOC in Sicily that arrived at the LCBO after a one-year absence. It was featured as part of the thematic on wines from Italy’s islands of Sicily (and Sardinia) in last weekend’s August 1st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It is produced…

Inky dark in color with a nice dark fruit nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely, albeit milder dark cherry fruits along with some mocha and dark chocolate. On the medium length finish the wine displays some firm peppery notes, firm tannins and bright lively acidity, nice and dry! I could easily…

Photo: Winemaker Seth Jex in the Fort Berens cellar (credit Brad Kesselman) With the release of 2025 white wines (and a rosé), Fort Berens Estate Winery also announces that Seth Jex has moved up to head winemaker from assistant. He takes over from Alex Nel who has returned to his native South Africa. Seth, who…