Holiday Season Wine Pairings

December 6, 2025 / A Layman's Wine Musings / Leave a comment

With Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve celebrations all quickly approaching, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to choosing what to eat and drink during those festive gatherings. Here is a list of some of the best wines to pair with the flavours of the holidays.

For rich, buttery foods, wines with good acidity will refresh the palate. As always, match the weight of the wine to the food: Light-bodied wines go with lighter dishes, while full-bodied wines can stand up to hearty, richer food.

If you are serving sparkling wine, be sure to keep it chilled. Sparkling wine always adds an instant celebratory feel and pairs well with everything from appetizers to desserts.

If you want to keep it simple, you can offer a red, white, and a sparkling option to cover the diverse flavours on the dinner table. Guests can then choose which wine they prefer. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling are all good general options.

Here are some classic holiday pairing selections:

Main Dishes	Red Wine	White Wine
Roast turkey	Pinot Noir	Chardonnay (oaked or unoaked)
Glazed ham	Pinot Noir	Pinot Gris, Riesling
Prime Rib / Roast Beef	Cabernet Sauvignon	Chardonnay
Roast Chicken	Pinot Noir	Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Salmon / Baked Fish	Pinot Noir	Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris
Beef Brisket	Syrah, Malbec	Riesling
Spicy Gumbo		Off-Dry Riesling

Side Dishes / Appetizers	Red Wine	White Wine
Charcuterie		Sparkling
Crab cakes		Sparkling
Creamy dishes		Pinot Gris, Chardonnay
Vegetable dishes	Pinot Noir	Sauvignon Blanc
Collard Greens		Dry Riesling
Sweet Potatoes		Chardonnay
Mashed potatoes	Pinot Noir	Chardonnay
Potato latkes		Sauvignon Blanc
Squash soup		Chardonnay
Pasta salad	Beaujolais, Gamay	Pinot Gris

Desserts	Red Wine	White Wine
Peach cobbler		Late Harvest Riesling
Apple Pie	Tawny Port	Demi-Sec or Doux Sparkling Wine
Bread pudding	Tawny Port, Sherry	Sémillon
Sticky toffee pudding	Tawny Port, Sherry	Sémillon
Pecan pie	Tawny Port, Gamay
Crème brûlée	Tawny Port	Demi-Sec Champagne
Christmas cake	Tawny Port, Sherry	Champagne or Prosecco

Enjoy the festive season!

Sláinte mhaith

Bock Winery, Villany, Hungary

November 15, 2025 / A Layman's Wine Musings / Leave a comment

While on a recent Danube River cruise through some of the former Iron Curtain countries of eastern Europe, I visited the Bock Winery, which is located near Mohacs (“the mother of wine”), Hungary. It is a tenth-generation family winery that was established in 1850. It spreads out over 125 hectares or about 310 acres.

Bock’s wines are aged in a combination of French, American and Hungarian oak barrels. The use of Hungarian oak introduces a flavour and nose that is slightly different than what would be experienced with most new world wines of Australia, North America or South America. The vintner also uses a combination of both new oak and old oak barrels, depending on the specific wine being produced.

In addition to wine, Bock also produces grape seed oil, grape seed tablets and grape seed flour. This is done to minimize the amount of waste resulting from the wine making process.

While there I had the opportunity to try four of Bock’s wines – a 2023 Villányi Hárslevelú, a 2024 Villányi Rosé Curvée, a 2017 Villányi Bock Curvée, and the 2022 Cabernet Franc.

2023 Villányi Hárslevelú

This is a fresh and fragrant white wine that is produced from a native Hungarian grape variety. It is made using overripe grapes grown on 40-year-old vines in the Göntér vineyard. Its colour is a medium-intensity, straw yellow. The aroma reveals linden blossom, combined with a slight citrus note, which is also reflected in the taste.

2024 Villányi Rosé Curvée

This is a fresh and fragrant wine produced from the virgin must of blue grape varieties from Bock’s vineyards. It has a medium colour with salmon-pink hues. The aroma and taste consist of strawberries, accompanied by satisfying acidity. The wine is enhanced with carbon dioxide before bottling.

2017 Villányi Bock Curvée

This is Bock Winery’s flagship wine, produced from a blend of premium red grapes from several Bock vineyards which produce a full-bodied wine. It is a Bordeaux-type blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Cabernet Franc (30%) and Merlot (10%) that has developed in new, small oak barrels for 24 months and then in the bottle for an additional year. The wine is characterized by a deep, dark intensity and dark purplish red hue. It is a full-bodied wine, with a scent of ripe cherries and tobacco, and a taste of overripe fruits, chocolate and vanilla.

This was my personal favourite of the wines I sampled.

2022 Cabernet Franc

This is a medium-bodied red wine using grapes from several of Bock’s vineyards. After fermentation, the Cabernet Franc matures in large oak barrels for 12 months to produce a dark, intense, deep red wine with a large body. It has a complex aroma and taste, in which the fruitiness forms a unity with the aromas from the barrel.

Good news for Ontario residents, Bock Wines are periodically available liquor stores.

Sláinte mhaith

French Cuisine with French Wine

October 11, 2025 / A Layman's Wine Musings / Leave a comment

Inspired by my excursion earlier this year to France, I have compiled a list of popular French foods along with complimentary French wines.

Asparagus and Hollandaise with Condrieu

Condrieu is the highest form of Viognier, a white grape known for its thick texture and exuberant aromatics. Asparagus makes a good combination.

Brie de Meaux with Champagne

The richness of the creamy cheese is balanced by the acidity and lightness of the bubbly Champagne. It creates a very decadent experience.

Coq au Vin with Beaujolais

Beaujolais is the often-underestimated red from southern Burgundy. Made from pure Gamay, the wines are easy to appreciate. The freshness in Beaujolais allows it to cut through the richness of stew. However, the berry notes of the wine are better suited with chicken rather than beef or pork.

Boeuf Bourguignon with Red Burgundy

Boeuf bourguignon, being robust and savory, is well complimented by a red Burgundy, which is a complex and subtle expression of Pinot Noir.

Chèvre with Sauvignon Blanc

As simple as it sounds, fresh goat cheese and Sauvignon Blanc make a great combination. The pungent flavours in chèvre are highlighted by the minerals and acidity of Sauvignon Blanc.

Comté with Vin Jaune

Vin Jaune is the oxidized, sherry-like wine made in France’s Jura region. It has intense, delicious notes of walnuts, dried fruit, curry and pine. It can be a bit sharp on its own, but with cheese, such as Comté, it is very appealing.

Duck with Red Burgundy

A red Burgundy will be a good compliment for roasted duck breast. It combines delicate berry fruits with cool earthiness. As the wine ages it is enhanced by notes of mushrooms and leather.

Foie Gras with Sauternes

Steeped in French tradition, foie gras should be paired with a Sauternes from the Bordeaux region.

Lamb with Northern Rhône Syrah

Northern Rhône Syrah is both subtle and elegant, combining characteristics of dark berry with lightweight aromatics. There are often notes of smoked meats, bacon, licorice, and cloves, which pairs well with lamb.

Mussels with Muscadet

Muscadet is a refreshing, uncomplicated white wine that is produced along the Loire River near the Atlantic Coast. With the ocean nearby, it’s a perfect match for shellfish, particularly oysters or mussels.

Olive Tapenade with Rosé

Olive tapenade served on seasoned crackers or crusty slices of baguette combined with a crisp Rosé is a great combination.

Oysters with Chablis

Chablis is a sub-region of Burgundy, known for its Chardonnay wines made with little or no oak. Classic Chablis is full of minerality and zest making it a great pairing with most oyster dishes.

Roquefort with Sauternes

Sauternes is a unique wine, being created from mold-covered shriveled up grapes just south of Bordeaux. It has notes of apricot, pineapple, ginger, caramel and honey. It pairs well with blue cheese.

Salade Lyonnaise with Beaujolais

A traditional salad lyonnaise (greens, bacon, croutons and mustard dressing topped with a poached egg) is the perfect match for the low levels of tannins and high acidity found in Beaujolais, which is produced from Gamay grapes.

Sole or Flounder with Sancerre

Sancerre is pure Sauvignon Blanc. It is aged in a stainless steal tank without any oak. The combination of juicy grapefruit and mineral freshness matches beautifully with any fine white fish prepared in butter.

Steak with Bordeaux

Steak pairs well with many reds from France, but one sure bet is Bordeaux, especially the Right Bank Merlot dominant wines.

Stew with Southern Rhône Red

Southern Rhone reds usually consist of a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The resulting wines are bold and rich, with texture and dark, jammy notes. Most beef stews work well with these wines.

Veal with White Burgundy

White Burgundy is the highest expression of Chardonnay. As long as the wine retains some acidity, it should match beautifully with the subtle, delicate flavours of veal.

Bon appetite!

Sláinte mhaith

The Effects of Tariffs on the U.S. Wine Industry

September 27, 2025 / A Layman's Wine Musings / Leave a comment

With the introduction of tariffs this year by the U.S., American wine makers are now paying a higher price for all their wine making materials including French oak barrels, glass bottles, corks and even the wine-making equipment itself, such as pumps and de-stemmers. The 15% levy that was imposed on all goods entering the U.S. from the European Union means the cost of wine making supplies increased 15%. For example, each wine barrel now costs California wine makers an additional $100 to $150 US.

California’s Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance said international wine orders were drying up as the aftereffects from President Trump’s trade war resonated around the world. U.S. winemakers are saying that this puts wine producers in high-cost California at an even greater disadvantage.

European wine producers are reducing their amount of American wine purchased. Danish wine stores are boycotting U.S. made wines. In Sweden, the state liquor store, Systembolaget, has seen sales of American wines drop 15%. Portugal as well has sought out alternatives to American wine.

Canada, who purchased 33% of all U.S. wine exports in 2024, has removed American wine and alcohol from liquor store shelves in most provinces. Robert P. Koch, president of California’s Wine Institute, said, “Canada is the single most important export market for U.S. wines, with retail sales in excess of $1.1 billion annually”. In April 2025, U.S. wine exports to Canada decreased 72.5% compared to April of last year. According to the American Association of Wine Economists (AAWE) exports declined by $25.5 million to $9.69 million.

It’s feared that these new anti-American sentiments are unravelling decades of marketing work and relationship building. Former consumers of American wine are now discovering interest in other New World wines, such as Australia, South Africa, South America and Canada.

Oregon is facing the same challenges as California. Oregon’s leading export targets are Mexico, China and Canada, representing about 81,000 jobs that are reliant on that export trade. Close to half of all Oregon wine exports in recent years have gone to Canada; in 2022, that was 73,323 cases of a total export of 162,939.

In April, the US Wine Trade Alliance stated that “restaurants will suffer, domestic producers will face new obstacles in bringing their wines to market, and retailers, importers, and distributors across the country will be placed at serious risk “.

I guess we will all have to wait and see what the longer-term effects of this trade war will be. However, I tend to agree with the economists who conquer that a trade war is a war that no one wins.

Sláinte mhaith

Buying Wine Online

September 6, 2025 / A Layman's Wine Musings / Leave a comment

I have previously shared my experiences on purchasing wine from a winery in a foreign country and shipping it home. Today I look at another purchase option, buying wine online.

The online sources vary from individual wineries to liquor stores to wine brokerage houses to wine clubs and even auction houses. Online searches will help you find rare wines and older vintages. It also makes it easy to search where a specific wine is sold and allows you to compare prices. These sites will often provide additional information about the wine you are interested in, such as the vintner’s notes, wine critic reviews, a link to winery websites and other technical information.

However, before you begin scrolling through the wide assortment of online vendors, there are some things you need to be aware of. First, if you are purchasing wine or any other alcohol from a website outside your country or province there will be a number of taxes and charges. For example, alcohol being imported from outside Canada to Ontario will have a levy of 102.2% for wine, 143.7% for spirits and $1.70 per litre for beer.

In addition, there will most likely be a shipping fee, which will be a significant percentage of the per bottle price. The only exception I am aware of is when I purchase alcohol online from my liquor store (the LCBO); the price I pay is the same price as it would be in the bricks and mortar store. The only difference is my purchase is shipped to the local liquor store where I then go to pick it up. It enables me to purchase wines and spirits that I would otherwise not have access to, living in an area where there is a limited variety of selections.

The number of retailers able to ship to you may be restricted by shipping regulations in the vendor’s location. Thus, your online wine purchase options may not be as lucrative as it may seem.

Sláinte mhaith

Wine with Fast-Food

August 30, 2025 / A Layman's Wine Musings / Leave a comment

Serving wine with your fast-food meal is a great way to enhance your dining experience. A little planning when it comes to your wine pairing can be very rewarding, so don’t just grab any bottle of wine off the shelf or from the fridge. Generally, wines with higher levels of acidity work well with fattier, greasy foods. Also, don’t forget to consider any side dishes you are having with your fast food. The wine should complement all the elements of your dinner. Robust, bold-flavoured dishes need to be paired with an equally powerful wine. Sweeter wines, like Riesling, will counterbalance hot or spicy dishes.

If in doubt, sparkling wines are generally a safe bet when it comes to fast food.

Burgers

Since burgers usually have a high fat content, more acidic wines pair well. Beef and medium-bodied red wines, such as Malbec or Syrah are a great match while chicken, turkey and veggie burgers go best with lighter-bodied white wines. Sauvignon Banc, Pinot Gris or Chenin Blanc are all good options.

If having cheeseburgers, a light-bodied Pinot Noir or a fruity Grenache is a good choice. Bacon cheeseburgers are complimented by a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz.

Curry

When matching wine with curry there are a couple of considerations: texture and the spice level. High alcohol wines intensify the heat from curries, so these are best avoided with spicy curries. Crisp, cold white wines are a good match at offsetting the curry’s heat. Sparkling wines are best avoided as they can leave an unpleasant metallic aftertaste.

An off-dry Riesling or Pinot Gris works well, as does a light or medium-bodied red wine such as a Beaujolais or Pinot Noir.

Fish and Chips

When it comes to light, white fish such as cod or haddock, white wine is the recommended option. Lean, flaky fish pairs well with a light and zesty Sauvignon Blanc. Meatier fish-like halibut goes well with a medium-bodied Chardonnay. Sparkling wines are also a good choice as they offset the salt and their acidity helps to balance the oil.

Fried Chicken

The wine needs to complement the mild flavour of the chicken while cutting through the salty, crispy deep-fried coating. Medium-bodied white wines with higher acidity levels work best at accomplishing this. Options include Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling wine such as Champagne or Prosecco.

Chicken Nuggets

Whether from your grocer’s freezer section or your local McDonalds, chicken nuggets or chicken fingers pair well with Rosé.

French Fries

Good old fashion French fries go well with Cava, Champagne or any other sparkling wine.

Kebobs

Rich reds with fruity flavours are the best choice as lighter wines may be overpowered by the flavours of the meat. A Merlot or Cabernet Franc are good possibilities. White wines with higher acidity and apple notes can be a good option as well. A Pinot Gris or Riesling could be considered.

Pizza

For pizza and wine pairings see my post from either January 28, 2023, or March 9, 2024.

Tacos

Tacos will be complemented by Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris.

Bon appetite!

Sláinte mhaith

The Best Wine for Your Sign

August 23, 2025 / A Layman's Wine Musings / 1 Comment

When I recently came across a post on social media suggesting that the wines best suited for you to drink are those that compliment your zodiac sign, I was shocked to learn that there have been quite a few articles, including some from renowned wine authorities, written on the subject.

It was interesting to see that the various writers generally agreed on what types of wines are best suited to each zodiac sign.

♈ Aries (March 21 — April 19): Bold and Adventurous

Aries are said to be confident, competitive and direct. Bold mouth-zapping whites such as Grüner Veltliner or reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel or Barbera are thought to be a good match. These wines contain a higher alcohol content that compliments Aries fiery spirit. The spicy, robust and full-bodied wine flavours compliment Aries zest for life and passion for taking on new challenges.

♉ Taurus (April 20 — May 20): Sensual and Indulgent

Taurus are thought to be down-to-earth, strong, ambitious, and lovers of creature comforts. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre blends from the Rhone, or a Châteauneuf-du-Pape would suit very well. Cabernet Sauvignon is also suggested as another choice. White wine, such as Viognier would be equally as suitable.

♊ Gemini (May 21 — June 20): Versatile and Social

Gemini are said to be lively, versatile and expressive. This personality should be well-suited to aromatic New World Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne, Vinho Verde or Grüner Veltliner.

♋ Cancer (June 21 — July 22): Nurturing and Intuitive

Cancers are often family-oriented foodies who adore sharing a table with others. A Merlot, Cabernet Franc or a Bordeaux blend is a good choice, although Riesling may be as equally appealing.

♌ Leo (July 23 — August 22): Regal and Dramatic

Leos are optimistic, flamboyant and larger than life. This is said to be a good match for a New World Shiraz or an Amarone della Valpolicella. Citrusy, bright and zippy Sauvignon Blancs are also a good choice, as well as Prosecco, Cava, Crémant, Sparkling Rosé, Sekt and Lambrusco.

♍ Virgo (August 23 — September 22): Practical and Sophisticated

Virgos are loving and gentle, yet practical. Their personality pairs well with the delicate flavours of a Beaujolais or Pinot Noir.

♎ Libra (September 23 — October 22): Balanced and Charming

Libras are said to be fair, suave and indulgent. Their social nature means that they seek out foods and drinks that are all about harmony, approachability and lightness. A Riesling or a decadent bottle of Sherry is said to be a good choice. Medium-bodied French Rosé is also a good option.

♍ Scorpio (October 23 — November 21): Intense and Mysterious

Scorpios are said to be intense and persistent but guarded. These traits pair well with the vivid boldness of a Barolo, a savory, spicy Syrah, or the smoky intensity of a Spanish Tempranillo.

♐ Sagittarius (November 22 — December 21): Adventurous and Free-Spirited

Flexible, intellectual, and given to wanderlust, Sagittarius is a match for the complex notes of Cabernet Franc, Spanish Grenache, Malbec or Sangiovese.

♑ Capricorn (December 22 — January 19): Ambitious and Disciplined

Pragmatic, ambitious and serious individuals, Capricorn are a perfect fit for the rich but straightforward flavours of a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, or the bold, elevated alcohol content of a Primitivo, a Merlot or Cabernet Franc.

♒ Aquarius (January 20 — February 18): Innovative and Eccentric

Aquarius is said to be logical, eccentric, and witty, a good combination with Petit Verdot or Chablis. Orange wines are also said to be a great option as Aquarius are said to veer towards exotic scents and tastes that might be surprising to others.

♓ Pisces (February 19 — March 20): Dreamy and Compassionate

Pisces are compassionate, romantic and quirky. Their personality is well suited for the rich, full flavours of an Argentinian Malbec, a sparkling Rosé or even a Brut Rosé Champagne.

I admit that I am not a follower of the zodiac and that I was at first very quick to dismiss the wine suggestions, particularly because I am an enthusiastic fan of red wines, and there was not a single red option suggested for my sign. However, after thinking about it, I remembered a winery visit I made in Prince Edward County several years ago, where I purchased a particular orange wine solely because I was intrigued by its unique flavour. It will never be a ‘go to’ wine for me but its distinctiveness enticed me to purchase it. Maybe there is something to this wine for my sign.

Sláinte mhaith

The 2025 National Wine Awards

August 9, 2025 / A Layman's Wine Musings / Leave a comment

This year Penticton, British Columbia hosted the 25^th anniversary of the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (NWAC). The NWAC is the country’s largest competition, involving only 100 percent Canadian-grown and produced wines.

This year a new category was introduced – Library Wines. This classification includes wines that are 5 years or older. These aged wines were not compared against each other but instead, each wine was independently assessed as to where it was in its lifecycle and how well it was ageing and tasting.

The Replacement wines or Crafted in B.C. wines were not included as part of The WineAlign National Wine Awards.

Winery of the Year

The 2025 Winery of the Year is Penticton, British Columbia’s Mission Hill Family Estate. This is the sixth time Anthony von Mandl has been awarded this prestigious honour.

This year, Mission Hill entered 11 top-tier wines, earning two Platinum medals, five Golds and one Silver medal.

The balance of the top 10 wineries are:

Laughing Stock Vineyards, Penticton, British Columbia
Meyer Family Vineyards, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
SpearHead Winery, Kelowna, British Columbia
The Organized Crime Winery, Beamsville, Ontario
Quails’ Gate Winery, Kelowna, British Columbia
Peller Estates, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Fielding Estate Winery, Lincoln, Ontario
Trius Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Tantalus Vineyards, Kelowna, British Columbia

Best Performing Small Winery

This year’s Best Performing Small Winery is Penticton, British Columbia’s Laughing Stock Vineyards. Laughing Stock earned eight medals at this year’s event: two Platinum, three Gold, one Silver, and two Bronze.

When the winery was acquired by Arterra Wines in 2017, some experts had concerns as to whether Laughing Stock would maintain its boutique identity under its new corporate umbrella. However, the winery continues to operate with a small, focused team and remains fully independent in its winemaking approach.

The balance of the top 10 small wineries are:

Meyer Family Vineyards, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
SpearHead Winery, Kelowna, British Columbia
The Organized Crime Winery, Beamsville, Ontario
Tantalus Vineyards, Kelowna, British Columbia
Township 7 Vineyards and Winery, Penticton, British Columbia
Stag’s Hollow Winery, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia
Moon Cruiser Vineyards, Osoyoos, British Columbia
Orofino Vineyards, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Thirty Bench Wine Makers, Beamsville, Ontario

Platinum Awards

A Platinum medal is the highest award possible. Less than 2% of the 1,700 wines and ciders entered received this award.

The award process involves a minimum of eight judges, three or four in the first round, and five or six in the second round. Each wine must have achieved an aggregate score of 93 points by five of those judges. 93 points or better is considered entering the realm of “outstanding.” Thus, not every judging category had a Platinum recipient.

This year’s Platinum Award winners are listed below:

Library Wines

Moon Curser 2020 Malbec, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Red Blends

Black Hills 2023 Bona Fide, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Laughing Stock 2022 Blind Trust Red, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery 2021 Wanderlust, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Palatine Hills Ramblers 2024 Schmoozer Cabernet Merlot, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
The Organized Crime 2022 The Download, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Trius 2022 Grand Red, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Pinot Noir

1 Mill Road 2022 Pinot Noir Home Block, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Lightning Rock Winery 2022 Pinot Noir Canyonview Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Meyer 2022 Old Block Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
SpearHead 2022 Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
SpearHead 2022 Pommard Clone Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Chardonnay

1 Mill Road 2023 Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Meyer 2022 Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill Family Estate 2022 Perpetua, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate Winery 2022 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Syrah

Laughing Stock 2022 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Sandhill 2022 Syrah Terroir Driven Wine, British Columbia
Stag’s Hollow 2022 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Riesling

CedarCreek 2022 Aspect Collection Riesling, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Peller Estates 2023 Signature Series Riesling, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Thirty Bench 2022 Small Lot Riesling, Triangle Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Trius 2023 Showcase Riesling, Ghost Creek, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Icewine and Late Harvest

Inniskillin 2023 Riesling Icewine Niagara Estate, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Byland 2023 Riesling Icewine, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Cabernet Franc

Black Bank Hill 2022 Cabernet Franc, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Fielding 2023 Cabernet Franc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Kismet 2022 Cabernet Franc Reserve, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill Family Estate 2022 Terroir Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Niagara College Teaching Winery 2022 Dean’s List Cabernet Franc, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tinhorn Creek 2022 Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Merlot

The complete list of award winners can be found at www.winealign/awards.

Sláinte mhaith

Food and Wine Pairings – Yes or No?

July 26, 2025 / A Layman's Wine Musings / Leave a comment

I have written my share of posts over the years suggesting certain wines be served with specific foods as the wine will highlight and compliment the flavours and characteristics of a particular food. However, I recently read an article that suggested that too much focus is placed on paring wine with specific foods. The author made several thought-provoking points as to why the practice is not always useful.

For one thing, everyone’s palate is not the same. Some people have a more sensitive palate than others. What one person finds to be a good pairing; another person may not. Taste is a very personal thing. What one individual enjoys another may not. For example, not everyone enjoys spicy food.

People’s ability to taste and smell varies for a wide assortment of reasons. The tongue has taste receptors that enable us to identify saltiness, sweetness, sourness, bitterness and umami, which is a savory, rich taste that is often described as “meaty” or “brothy”. In addition to the approximate 35 receptors on the tongue, it has been discovered that there are additional receptors in the brain, stomach, and even in the muscles.

For the sense of taste to be totally effective, an individual must also have a good sense of smell. This requires good use of about 400 aroma receptors.

Emotions can play a big part in what tastes good and what does not. When depressed, angry, or in pain, chances are that your wine will taste rather off, being much less enjoyable than it otherwise would. The atmosphere and surroundings can have a significant psychological impact on how you feel about the wine and the food you are eating.

What all this illustrates is that the sense of taste is very complex, leaving each of us with varying degrees of flavour interpretation that can fluctuate greatly depending on our mood and circumstances. Thus, there are not only many opinions on what wine and food combinations go well together, but also that what pairs well may be based on a multitude of unidentified external factors. We humans can be very complicated beings and thus, we may have wide ranging opinions as to what wine and food combinations go well together.

Wine and food pairings are standards and suggestions but not a hard and fast rule. The bottom line is, you should match your food and wine in a manner that is most pleasurable to you and makes your meal enjoyable. I will continue to periodically write about suggested wine and food pairings but remember, these are only recommendations, not hard and fast rules.

Sláinte mhaith

The 2025 All Canadian Wine Championships

July 12, 2025 / A Layman's Wine Musings / Leave a comment

The All Canadian Wine Championships (ACWC) is open to all Canadian licensed wineries, cideries and meaderies and content must normally be grown and made in Canada. However, for this year, a new section was added, the international “Cellared in Canada” segment. These wines contain imported grapes or juice. The “Cellared in Canada” program was introduced in 2024 in response to the environmental disasters that severely impacted many British Columbia vineyards. No trophies were awarded for this special category.

As with previous years, the judges come from across Canada and include wine writers, sommeliers, and professional wine judges from the Wine Judges of Ontario. Some judges have been with the competition for more than twenty years.

Awards are presented for Gold, Silver and Bronze winners but the top scoring wine in each category is awarded Double Gold.

This year there were a total of 911 wines entered from 163 wineries.

The Trophy and Double Gold winners for grape wines are presented below. For the complete listing of award winners, visit the ACWC website at www.allcanadianwinechampionships.com/acwc-2025-results/. All prices are expressed in Canadian dollars.

The 2025 Trophy Awards were presented to:

Best Sparkling Wine of the Year

Time Family of Wines, British Columbia – 2018 Evolve Brut Nature – $49.99

Best Red Wine of the Year

Creekside Estate Winery (Diamond Estate Wines and Spirits), Ontario – 2020 Shiraz – $15.95

Best White Wine of the Year

Solvero Wines, British Columbia – 2022 Chardonnay – $40.25

Best Dessert Wine of the Year

Pillitteri Estates Winery Inc., Ontario – 2019 Racina Riesling Icewine – $40.00

Best Rosé Wine of the Year

Keint-he Winery and Vineyards Ltd., Ontario – 2023 Portage Rosé – $24.80

Best Fruit Wine of the Year

Maan Farms Estate Winery, British Columbia – N/V Strawberry Dessert – $29.41

Best Cider of the Year

Archibald Orchards & Winery, Ontario – N/V Hard Ginger – $13.80

Best Mead of the Year

Miel Nature Inc., Quebec – N/V Pomme et miel – $20.00

The 2025 Double Gold medal winners were the following:

Sparkling Wine-Traditional Method

Time Family of Wines, British Columbia – 2018 Evolve Brut Rosé – $49.99

Sparkling Wine–Charmat Method

Monte Creek Winery, British Columbia – 2022 Living Land Sparkling – $27.59

Sparkling Wine–Frizzante Method

Cherry Point Estate Wines, British Columbia – 2024 Spritzy Rosé – $33.40

Chardonnay, Unoaked

Strewn, Ontario – 2023 Distinctive Small Lot Chardonnay Musque – $24.92

Chardonnay Under $35.00

Deep Roots Winery, British Columbia – 2023 Reserve Chardonnay – $34.90

Chardonnay Over $35.00

Solvero Wines, British Columbia – 2022 Chardonnay – $40.25 “Best White Wine of the Year”

Riesling Dry

Three Sisters Winery, British Columbia – 2023 Riesling – $28.75

Riesling Off Dry

Huff Estates Winery, Ontario – 2023 Day Tripping Riesling – $20.00

Sauvignon Blanc

Featherstone Winery, Ontario – 2024 Sauvignon Blanc – $17.95

Gewürztraminer

Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2023 Gewürztraminer – $26.00

Pinot Gris Style

Alderlea Vineyards, British Columbia – 2024 Pinot Gris – $26.45

Pinot Grigio Style

Volcanic Hills Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2024 Pinot Gris – $28.74

Viognier

Rainmaker Wines, British Columbia – 2022 Viognier Rainmaker – $30.00

Other Single Vitis Vinifera Whites

Chaberton Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2024 Estate Grown Siegerrebe – $19.95

White Vitis Vinifera Blends

Alderlea Vineyards, British Columbia – 2024 Valerie – $26.45

Single White Hybrids

Magnetic Hill Winery, New Brunswick – 2024 The OC Osceola by the Sea – $20.00

White Hybrid Blends

Bear River Vineyards, Nova Scotia – 2024 Greater Yellowlegs – $25.00

Orange Wines

The Good Earth Food and Wine Co., Ontario – 2023 Chardonnay Musque Orange – $23.80

Rosé Dry

Keint-he Winery and Vineyards Ltd., Ontario – 2023 Portage Rosé – $24.80 “Best Rosé of the Year”

Rosé Off Dry

Kismet Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2024 Phulkari Rosé – $29.89

Cabernet Sauvignon $35 and Under

Black Sage Vineyard, British Columbia – 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon – $32.99

Cabernet Sauvignon Over $35.00

Laughing Stock Vineyards, British Columbia – 2022 Market Darling – $60.00

Merlot $35 and Under

Bordertown Vineyard & Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2020 Merlot – $25.00

Merlot Over $35.00

Pillitteri Estates Winery Inc., Ontario – 2020 Exclamation Merlot – $60.00

Pinot Noir $35 and Under

Keint-he Winery and Vineyards Ltd., Ontario – 2022 Portage Pinot Noir – $24.80

Pinot Noir Over $35.00

16 Mile Cellar, Ontario – 2022 Tenacity Pinot Noir – $59.80

Cabernet Franc $35 and Under

Pillitteri Estates Winery Inc., Ontario – 2020 Carretto Cabernet Franc – $28.00

Cabernet Franc Over $35.00

Bella Terra Vineyards, Ontario – 2022 Cabernet Franc – $49.72

Bordeaux Blends $35 and Under

Magnotta Winery, Ontario – 2019 Magnotta Meritage Gran Riserva VQA – $31.95

Bordeaux Blends Over $35.00

Dirty Laundry Winery, British Columbia – 2020 Bordello – $44.99

Syrah/Shiraz $35 and Under

Creekside Estate Winery (Diamond Estate Wines and Spirits), Ontario – 2020 Shiraz – $15.95 “Best Red Wine of the Year”

Syrah/Shiraz Over $35.00

Moraine Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2022 Syrah – $39.00

Single Red Hybrids

Magnetic Hill Winery, New Brunswick, – N/V Terroir Generator New World Cali Style – $30.00

Red Hybrid Blends

Planters Ridge Winery, Nova Scotia – 2022 Quintessence Red – $25.36

Other Single Red Vitis Vinifera

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery, Ontario – 2022 Petit Verdot – $39.95

Other Red Vitis Vinifera Blends

Nk’Mip Cellars British Columbia, – 2022 Winemakers Talon – $32.99

Marechal Foch

Alderlea Vineyards, British Columbia – 2023 Clarinet – $27.60

Malbec

Rainmaker Wines, British Columbia – 2022 Malbec – $40.00

Gamay

Hillside Winery & Bistro, British Columbia – 2021 Founder’s Block Gamay Noir – $45.00

Appassimento Style

Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, Ontario – 2023 Appassimento Cabernet Franc Hawks Flight Reserve – $44.80

NEW SEGMENT FOR 2025 – INTERNATIONAL “CELLARED IN CANADA”

Single Red Vitus Vinifera

Devonian Coast Wineries, Nova Scotia – N/V Ducks Crossing Cabernet Sauvignon – $13.67

Sparkling

Moraine Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2024 Shipuchka Frizzante – $28.00

Single White Vitus Vinifera

See ya Later Ranch, British Columbia – 2024 Pinot Gris – $19.99

White Vitus Vinifera Blends

Sunnybrae Vineyards & Winery, British Columbia – 2024 Twisted Path Washington – $24.73

Rosé

Arterra Wines Canada, British Columbia – 2024 Saintly Rosé – $20.99

DESSERT WINES

Late Harvests

Vignoble Rivière du Chêne, Quebec – 2024 Cuvée Glacée des Laurentides – $28.05

White Icewines (Riesling, Vidal, Other)

Pillitteri Estates Winery Inc., Ontario – 2019 Racina Riesling Icewine – $40.00 “Best Dessert Wine of the Year”

Red Icewines

Magnotta Winery, Ontario – 2019 Magnotta Cabernet Franc Icewine Limited Edition VQA – $44.95

Grape Fortifieds

Moraine Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2022 O’port – $47.00

Next up on the championship list will be the National Wine Awards. The results should be released around mid-July.

Sláinte mhaith