Nine Canadian wines to buy now as ‘buy local’ sentiments soar | Canada Voices

Demand for Canadian wines continues to soar as “buy local” sentiments become entrenched. Whether consumers are hoping to replace American labels that have disappeared from store shelves or exploring the range of styles produced in local vineyards, there’s opportunity for wineries across the country to step up.

That means there’s more anticipation than usual for spring releases that offer the first look at the quality of the most recent vintage. Consumers in Ontario are starting to see refreshing white wines and rosés from the 2024 vintage on store shelves. A newly released pinot grigio from Ontario’s Peninsula Ridge is one of this week’s featured reviews.

British Columbia producers have revamped their labels for the 2024 vintage to reflect the use of imported grapes to replace crops lost owing to last January’s deep freeze. The Crafted in B.C. category will be introduced in April as wineries such as Hester Creek, Noble Ridge and Poplar Grove release wines produced from American vineyards.

These recommendations from British Columbia and Ontario reach back to age-worthy and complex reds from 2020 and 2021 with an assortment of current releases from 2022 and 2023 to consider.

Cave Spring Estate-Grown Cabernet Franc 2023 (Canada), $20.95

Made in a classic savoury and robust style that plays to cabernet franc’s strengths, this single-vineyard wine comes from Cave Spring’s original vineyard location on the Beamsville Bench. This ripe and refreshing red presents complex notes that suggest dark fruit, leather and tobacco notes with some herbal and peppery spice elements that contribute to the fragrance and finish. Decant for best enjoyment if opening soon. It has 14 per cent ABV and two g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2035. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct, cavespring.ca.

Cave Spring Estate-Grown Chardonnay 2023 (Canada), $21.95

Produced with chardonnay harvested from older vines (average vine age is 35 years) at Cave Spring’s namesake vineyard on the Beamsville Bench, this ripe and richly textured wine offers appealing lemon, yellow apple and pear flavours accented by stony and diary notes. Beautifully balanced and clearly chardonnay, this great value white wine is delivered in a deliciously unadorned style. It has 13.5 per cent ABV and three g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2035. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct, cavespring.ca.

Liebling Andrews Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Canada), $22

Liebling winery is a passion project for the next generation of the Oppenlaender family, who have been growing grapes in Niagara since 1984. This refreshing and intense sauvignon blanc from the 2022 vintage was made by Jessica Oppenlaender with support from winemakers Marc Pistor and Mitchell McCurdy, who are responsible for Collab Wine and Beverage. It offers a bright and ripe fruit character that’s bold and mouthwatering. It has 12 per cent ABV and three g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct, drinkcollab.ca.

Meyer Okanagan Valley Chardonnay 2023 (Canada), $21.83

A cold snap in December and January greatly reduced the crop yields for the 2023 harvest in the Okanagan Valley. Meyer only made 350 cases of this multi-regional blend – compared with 2,000 cases in 2022 – which combines chardonnay from the Naramata Bench, Osoyoos and the winery property in Okanagan Falls. A 50/50 blend of tank- and barrel-fermented lots contributes to the rich and creamy character. Look for citrus and pear fruit with some earthy and bready accents. Drink now to 2027. It has 13.5 per cent ABV and less than five g/litre r.s. Available direct, mfvwines.com.

Osoyoos Larose 2020 (Canada), $60.95

Owned by Bordeaux’s Groupe Taillan, Osoyoos Larose celebrates its 20th vintage in 2020 with this blend of merlot (66 per cent) with cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, malbec and cabernet franc. The style delivers structure and concentration as part of an elegant red wine marked by dark fruit, cedar and that classic southern Okanagan sage note. Made in an age-worthy style, decant for best enjoyment. It has 14.5 per cent ABV and three g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2035. Available at the above price in Ontario, $59.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $63.99 in Manitoba, $62 in Quebec, $64.99 in New Brunswick, $60.29 in Prince Edward Island.

Peninsula Ridge Pinot Grigio 2024 (Canada), $16.95

This simple and enjoyable white wine presents juicy peach and nectarine fruit with honeysuckle and white blossom notes. Its crowd-pleasing character fulfills the purpose of an everyday white wine for most. Drink now. It has 12 per cent ABV and five g/litre r.s. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct, peninsularidge.com.

Southbrook Estate Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Canada), $29.75

This stylish and structured cabernet sauvignon comes from Southbrook’s certified organic and biodynamic vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It features a core of ripe black fruit with cedar, sandalwood and medicinal notes as part of its refreshing and elegant character. Developing nicely, this is best enjoyed with a meal. Drink now to 2031. It has 13 per cent ABV and 1.5 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2031. Available direct, southbrook.com.

Trius Distinction Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Canada), $19.95

Distinction is a premium label in Trius’s expansive portfolio of Niagara-made wines, representing wines that are a cut above the entry level owing to vineyard selection and handling in the winery. This is a 60/40 blend of tank- and barrel-fermented sauvignon blanc that yields a well-crafted flavourful white wine with appealing texture and length. An intense mix of grassy and fruity notes stand out on the nose, while the herbal and citrusy flavours are pure and persistent. It has 11.5 per cent ABV and three g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available in Ontario.

Tinhorn Creek Gewurztraminer 2023 (Canada), $22.99

Tinhorn continues to be a consistent source of fragrant and fruity whites made from the gewurztraminer grape. This intense and flavourful example captures the intense floral and fruity character that makes a wine that has few comparable expressions. A balanced sweetness contributes weight and texture to a wine that finishes with a clean sweep of acidity. It has 12.9 per cent ABV and 7.9 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in British Columbia or $22 direct, tinhorn.com, various prices in Alberta.