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Canadian wine has enjoyed a banner year, with increased consumer interest and good-quality harvests recorded in grape-growing regions across the country.
The real excitement, however, came with the abundance and quality of the grape harvest in British Columbia, which signalled a strong recovery from the January, 2024, frost that resulted in 95-per-cent crop loss.
Resilient vines in the Okanagan and Similkameen produced a bumper crop in 2025 from above-average yields, particularly red wine varieties, inspiring a welcome wave of optimism for an industry that’s struggled with challenges from severe cold weather and wildfires in recent vintages.
Winemakers are also experiencing a significant boost in sales of homegrown wines, led by sales increases of 56 per cent over the past year provincewide, reported by the LCBO. Nine months after provinces removed American-made wines from store shelves, local wineries hope to leverage the sales surge into sustained long-term growth.
This week’s recommendations include a range of wines produced in Niagara, Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley and various wine regions in British Columbia. There are top-quality sparkling wines and satisfying red wines on offer rounded out by two rich and rewarding whites. Each is a credit to the quality of wines produced in Canada and a winning way to celebrate what’s to come.
Cave Spring Riesling Icewine 2023 (Canada), $54.95
Rating: 95
A beautiful, sweet expression of the riesling grape from one of Niagara’s top specialist producers, this comes from the Pennachetti family’s namesake vineyard as well as vines located closer to Lake Ontario. The balanced and penetrating flavour suggests a mix of pear and apricot with passion fruit, pineapple and honey notes that finish with a clean sweep of acidity. This has 11.5 per cent ABV and 224 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2045. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct, cavespring.ca, various prices in Alberta.
Fort Berens Reserve Cabernet Franc 2022 (Canada), $43.99
Rating: 92
From the winery’s Dry Creek Vineyard in Lillooet, B.C., this full-bodied cabernet franc delivers a generous mix of savoury and fruity flavours as part of its complex and compelling character. The core of dark fruit is accented by spicy, earthy and cedary notes. This has 14 per cent ABV and 3.3 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available direct, fortberens.ca.
Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Estate Blanc de Blancs 2017 (Canada), $49.95
Rating: 94
Family-owned Henry of Pelham in Ontario introduced this top-of-the-line 100-per-cent chardonnay sparkling wine with the release of the 2007 vintage in 2013. The style conveys the toasty, fresh and focused character popularized by notable champagne houses. Barrel fermentation and extended aging on the lees (yeast sediment) contributes a creamy texture to an expressive bubbly with lemon and green apple flavours that carry to a long, refreshing finish. This has 12 per cent ABV and 7 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2037. Available at the above price in Ontario, $43.95 direct, henryofpelham.com (2018 vintage).
Lightfoot & Wolfville Brut Rosé Sparkling 2021 (Canada), $54.95
Rating: 91
Made from a base wine that blends pinot noir and pinot meunier, with 11 months aging on its lees, this vibrant, fizzy wine offers a pleasing mix of cranberry, cherry, strawberry and citrus zest flavours. The fresh and direct character of this Nova Scotia bubbly makes it best enjoyed with a meal. This has 12 per cent ABV and 8 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2029. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in British Columbia (private wine shops), $39.13, direct, lightfootandwolfville.com, $39.99 in Nova Scotia, $33.99 in Newfoundland.
Domaine Le Clos Jordanne Clos de Kew Pinot Noir 2023 (Canada), $37.19
Rating: 93
A new add-on to Le Clos Jordanne’s established single-vineyard lineup, Clos de Kew comes from a selected part of Kew Vineyard in Beamsville, Ont. This is made with the same care and attention as the rest of the portfolio, with wild fermentation and 18 months aging in French oak barrels, resulting in a ripe and bright expression of pinot noir. There’s a core of concentrated cherry and berry fruit combined with a silky texture and lingering earthy finish that adds admirable elegance. Great value that ranks as one of the wines to watch from Le Clos. This has 13.5 per cent ABV and 4 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2035. Available direct, greatestatesniagara.com.
Moon Curser Vineyards Malbec 2022 (Canada), $38.99
Rating: 94
One of Moon Curser’s most award-winning wines, this full-bodied and complex red is made with malbec grapes grown in the winery’s vineyard in Osoyoos. This is a serious and attractive wine with bold fruit and chocolate-y oak aromas and flavours. Look for peppery spice that adds interest to the core of dark fruit, resulting in an impressive savoury and polished character. This has 14.8 per cent ABV and 2.2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2032. Available direct, mooncurser.com.
Township 7 Seven Stars Sirius Late Disgorged 2017 (Canada), $79.97
Rating: 95
A leading producer of sparkling wine in Canada, British Columbia’s Township 7 continues to expand on the potential of its flagship label, Sirius. A blend of chardonnay and pinot noir from estate vineyards in the Fraser Valley harvested in 2017, this fresh and precise sparkling wine was aged for six years on the lees to develop a complex and creamy character. A mix of toasty and yeasty notes add depth and richness to the citrus and apple fruit of this balanced and refreshing bubbly. This has 12 per cent ABV and 5 g/litre r.s. Vegan-friendly. Drink now to 2030. Available direct, township7.com.
Upper Bench Estate Winery & Creamery Estate Chardonnay 2022 (Canada), $39
Rating: 91
The top chardonnay from Upper Bench in Naramata, B.C., this leans into a buttery, creamy and tropical style that, to my taste, gives it a Napa vibe. Bold yellow apple, peach, pineapple, nutty and honeyed flavours stand out in an admirable, rich and rewarding white wine. This has 13.6 per cent ABV. Drink now to 2028. Available direct, upperbench.ca.
