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By Rick VanSickle One of Ontario’s most historic and important wineries — Niagara’s Chateau des Charmes — has been sold to a Canadian investment group, Wines in Niagara has learned. The late Paul Bosc Sr., above, and his family have been true pioneers in the Ontario wine industry and leave an important legacy that will…

The premium Ontario VQA wine brand establishes roots in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula In a celebration that’s been two decades in the making, Le Clos Jordanne has finally opened its first estate winery, aptly named Domaine Le Clos Jordanne, on the Beamsville Bench – a renowned sub-appellation in the Niagara Peninsula. Continuing on…

Here’s my top wine picks from the June 22, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which is an Online & Flagship Exclusives release. There are forty-two wines in this release, with thirteen included among my top wine picks. As noted by the title of the release, all the wines will be available for purchase only…

By Rick VanSickle LCBO workers, who could very well walk off the job on July 5, are forcing many Ontario wineries that depend on the government monopoly for a significant portion of their sales, to up their game. The union, which represents approximately 10,000 LCBO workers, requested a no-board report from the Ontario Ministry of…

The Block lab is working in several areas related to wine.  First, we are continuing our work with the Oberholster lab trying to gain a deeper understanding of phenolic extraction in red wines to be able to control the finished wine phenolic profile more efficiently.  Over the last decade, we have examined the impact of…

The Physical and Chemical Stability of Wine (a.k.a.

The following is a list of awards, honors, and announcements about Viticulture and Enology Faculty, Staff, Students, Executive Leadership Board members & UCCE Advisors.

Tonight’s white wine review is yet another lovely white wine from Greece. This refreshing Assyrtiko arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on June 8th. Like the lovely 2022 Mega Spileo Malagousia that I enjoyed last month, this white wine is also produced by the historic and significant…

By Rick VanSickle Three key changes to VQA rules, that include the creation of a West Niagara regional appellation, amended labelling for Charmat wines, and approval of three new hybrids, is awaiting government approval. Also in this Ontario Wine Report: Two incredible values wines from MW Cellars and Vineland Estates, plus new Tragically Hip and…

Photo: Leslie and Jim D’Andrea with debut sparkling wine in 2013 In April, Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery became the first Canadian producer to achieve the Biosphere Sustainable Certification. The following month, this Okanagan Falls winery released three excellent sparkling wines that one should drink to celebrate the achievement. The Biosphere certification culminates a years-long…