Raising your elbows and a glass of delicious Canadian wine this Spring – Being patriotic never tasted so good! As aired on CFRA News Talk Radio – March 28, 2025

March 28^th on CFRA News Talk Radio

Theme:  Raising your elbows and a glass of delicious Canadian wine this Spring – Being patriotic never tasted so good!

Overview:  Today on CFRA, CFRAs Patricia Boal and Sommelier Matt Steeves were tasting an all-Ontario line-up of local wines and spirits which are delicious, crafted right here in Ontario, and are easily accessible winery-direct or at LCBO. Check out the interview here !

With everything going on these days, having some delicious local Canadian wines and spirits is the perfect way to show your national pride and stay refreshed this spring. 

This spring we suggest raising your elbows and a glass of delicious Canadian wine and locally crafted spirits – being patriotic has never tasted so good!

With new tariffs on imported wines and spirits arriving in April 2025, it’s the perfect time to embrace Ontario’s world-class local offerings. Not only will you be enjoying top-tier wine and spirits, but you’ll also be supporting your community and economy. Raise a glass and support local!

A Sip of Ontario’s Excellence
Ontario is becoming a powerhouse in the wine and spirits world! From Niagara’s renowned vineyards to Prince Edward County’s cool-climate varieties, local wines like Chardonnay,  Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc are earning global praise. And let’s not forget Canadian spirits—whisky, gin, and craft vodka are shining brighter than ever!

Unique Flavors, Crafted Right Here
Ontario’s terroir offers distinct flavors that capture the essence of our land. From ice wine to bold reds, crisp whites, and innovative craft spirits, each sip tells a story of local passion and craftsmanship. You’ll be tasting the best of what our land has to offer.

Quality That Won’t Break the Bank
With US imports leaving the LCBO, local wines and spirits are offering fantastic value for money—world-class quality at competitive prices. You can enjoy something special without the hefty price tag.

Sustainability in Every Sip
Many Ontario producers are leading the charge in eco-friendly practices, from sustainable farming to water conservation. Drinking local isn’t just delicious; it’s also an investment in a greener future.

Support Your Local Economy
Every bottle you purchase helps support Ontario’s farmers, distilleries, and local businesses. It’s more than a drink—it’s an investment in jobs and community growth.

The Time is Now
With more local wines and spirits available at the LCBO, there’s never been a better time to explore what Ontario has to offer. With the removal of US products, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover new releases, limited editions, and exciting small-batch products.

Cheers to a Bright Future
The future of Ontario wines and spirits is bright, bold, and full of flavor. By drinking local, you’re not just enjoying top-quality products, you’re helping to build a sustainable, thriving industry right here at home. So, let’s raise a glass to enjoying local and savoring the best of Canada!

Here are our top recommended local wines and spirits to enjoy this spring:

Malivoire Musqué Spritz – Beamsville Bench (Niagara), ON –  $5.75 per 250ml can

The perfect Ready-to-Drink (RTD) craft wine in a can! 100% locally grown wine, in a slightly off-dry and effervescent RTD format making it a terrific aperitivo to enjoy this spring!

100% Chardonnay Musqué – Chardonnay Musqué is a distinctive clone of Chardonnay that is primarily known for its aromatic profile. In Niagara, this variety has gained attention for its unique flavor and scent characteristics, making it a special expression of Chardonnay and the base for Malivoire’s Musqué Spritz.

Candied aromas reveal glazed pineapple, white peach and lime, decorated by cherry blossom, jasmine and quince. A sip bursts in the mouth, with tingly flavours of honeydew melon, lime cordial and pear nectar, leaving green apple and sugar-dusted ginger on the finish.

Picked September 12th from 25-year-old Estate vines at 20.3°  Brix average grape sugar.  After whole-cluster pressing, the juice was sealed inside a pressurized stainless-steel tank. Fermentation-produced CO2 was captured, infusing the wine with sprightly effervescence. Fermentation was halted in time to retain a fruity sweetness, and the wine was transferred to can in September 2024.  A delicious wine in a can that is fantastic with brunch, lunch, dinner, or while taking a pause on a bike ride.

Sun-Ann Staff Elisha (Elle-Eye-Sha) Chardonay – Niagara, ON – $26.95

Light gold colour, the nose is inviting with rich orchard fruit, baked apple, pineapple, melon, and a hint of hazelnut. Full-bodied and creamy, offering an array of luscious orchard and tropical fruit flavors. The winemaker’s careful attention in crafting this fine wine included fermenting in stainless steel followed by aging in French oak, and a small amount of Hungarian and Bulgarian oak. The result is a great expression of high quality and great value Niagara Chardonnay. Rich, ripe, and creamy, it’s a wine that showcases both the depth and power of the 2018 vintage. A testament to the skill of winemaker Sue-Ann Staff and the high quality fruit she’s working with to offer such impressive wines at great prices. Enjoy over the next five years. Tasted March 2025. 90 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

Grange of Prince Edward Estate Rosé 2023 – Prince Edward County, ON – $24 – quite possibly the most attractive bottle I’ve ever seen!

Made with estate grapes picked from their Victoria Block, this Rosé beams with fresh and juicy aromas of watermelon, pink grapefruit and crunchy berries which give way to exotic starfruit and cherry puree. Lean and quaffable with super fresh acidity and a bright clean finish, this Rosé is delightfully dry and refreshing!

Bachelder Les Villages Niagara Pinot Noir 2022 – Niagara, ON – $34.95 (via LCBO or winery-direct)

Thomas Bachelder’s Les Villages Niagara Pinot Noir 2022 is a prime example of what Ontario’s Niagara region can do with this finicky grape. This wine is a celebration of elegance and finesse, offering a delightful and nuanced experience from start to finish.

On the nose, the 2022 vintage immediately entices with profound floral aromas, creating a fragrant introduction to the more complex elements that follow. Dark cherries, crunchy cranberries, and black raspberries create a lively fruit profile, while subtle hints of elegant spices add depth and intrigue. The aromas are fresh, vibrant, and inviting, pulling you in for the first sip.

The palate mirrors the nose beautifully. The wine is round and silky, with a melange of red berries—think of ripe strawberries, raspberries, and a touch of tart cranberry—interwoven with the complex flavors of anise and a dash of spice. The texture is smooth, and the balance between fruit, acidity, and structure is impeccable. The finish is layered and vibrant, leaving behind a pleasant, lingering taste that makes you want to take another sip.

While this wine is incredibly enjoyable now, it also shows great potential for aging, allowing the complexity of its single-vineyard expressions, which will be released later in the year, to come through.

At $34.95, the Bachelder Les Villages Niagara Pinot Noir 2022 is an elegant, affordable choice for those who appreciate well-crafted, cool-climate Pinot Noir. Whether you’re enjoying it on its own or pairing it with a dish like roasted chicken or seared salmon, it is sure to impress with its complexity and refined character.

A truly lovely expression of Niagara Pinot Noir that offers both current enjoyment and future promise. Cheers to this excellent bottling from Thomas Bachelder!

Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022 – Lincoln Lakeshore (Niagara), Ontario – $40 winery-direct

Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022 from Lincoln Lakeshore VQA is a wine that demonstrates remarkable complexity, balance, and the distinctive flinty character from its Niagara terroir. On the nose, this wine opens with an intriguing mix of dark fruit aromas—plum, raspberry, and a touch of blueberry turnover—mingling beautifully with delicate floral notes, Earl Grey tea, alongside a flinty minerality and the earthy sweetness of roasted beets. These aromas combine to create a nuanced and multi-layered bouquet that invites deep exploration. On the palate, elegant and beautifully composed. Medium to full-bodied, it reveals a repeating pattern of dusty plum, raspberry, black tea, and graphite, which carry through from the nose with great persistence. The balance between fruit, structure, and acidity is impressive. Proprietor/vintner Taylor Emmerson and winemaker Jonathan McLean have beautifully crafted a wine that is sophisticated, complex, yet so approachable. Fine, ripe tannins frame the wine’s complexity, offering a smooth yet substantial mouthfeel. The acidity adds freshness, while the wine’s rich fruit and savory depth linger on a long, pleasant finish. For those seeking a nuanced, terroir-driven wine, Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022 offers an exciting opportunity to experience the potential of this region and how big reds can shine in Niagara. Its deep, complex flavors and structured elegance make it a perfect candidate for medium-term cellaring, though its current expression is perfectly primed for enjoyment as soon as it’s released in late March/early spring 2025.

Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022 is a stellar example of Niagara Cabernet Franc, offering a complex mix of fruit, savory notes, and minerality. At $40 a bottle, this wine delivers great value for collectors and enthusiasts alike, offering both immediate enjoyment and medium-term aging potential.

Tasted March 2025. 94 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

Available winery-direct in late March/early spring 2025 – $40

Dillon’s Rye Whisky – 100% Ontario Rye – $49.95 available at LCBO and distillery-direct

Four years of ageing in new Ontario oak, new American oak and first-fill bourbon casks gives this 100% rye whisky a forward oak character that complements the spiciness of rye grain. Aromas of dried fruit, citrus, ginger, vanilla and caramel lead to a palate that is fruity and smooth, with balanced sweet and spice flavours.

Dillon’s Dry Gin 7 – Ontario – $39.95 available at LCBO and distillery-direct

One-hundred percent local Ontario rye is vapour distilled and infused with seven unique botanicals to create a London dry style gin that is ideal in a classic gimlet. Expect moderately intense aromas and flavours of juniper, balsam, crisp pear and star anise on a dry, cleansing palate that finishes balanced and smooth.

Top Shelf Distillers Rideau Whisky – Perth, Ontario – $59.95

High quality local grains from local businesses. Fresh spring water from Lanark County. The end result is a smooth, complex, distinctive flavour that leaves a lasting impression.

So raise your elbows and a glass to Ontario’s future—it’s bright, bold, and full of flavor!

Cheers!

Matt