Category: chardonnay

Sommelier Matt Steeves’ Top Rated Wines of 2025

Each year, a small handful of wines rise unmistakably above the rest—bottles that don’t simply impress, but define what greatness looks like in their place of origin. The top-rated wines I tasted this year from Canada, Champagne, and across Italy represent the absolute pinnacle of craftsmanship, terroir expression, and ambition. These are wines made without compromise, where precision meets emotion, and regional identity is expressed with clarity and confidence. From cool-climate Canadian vineyards delivering finesse and mineral tension, to the timeless brilliance of Champagne, and the profound depth and heritage found throughout Italy’s greatest appellations, these selections stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s finest. Together, they tell a compelling story of what is possible when vision, site, and skill align—wines that proudly showcase the extraordinary heights their regions can achieve on the global stage.

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Wine Myths as discussed on CFRA News Talk Radio December 4th, 2025

Wine shouldn’t feel intimidating — it should be enjoyable, expressive, and accessible to everyone. Yet myths persist about how wine should be sealed, served, stored, or selected. To help cut through that noise, I recently joined Patricia Boal on CFRA News Talk Radio 580 to debunk some of the most common misconceptions using seven wonderful wines from Canada, Portugal and Italy.

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Wine Myths as seen on CTV Your Morning

Wine shouldn’t feel intimidating — it should be enjoyable, expressive, and accessible to everyone. Yet myths persist about how wine should be sealed, served, stored, or selected. To help cut through that noise, I recently joined CTV Your Morning to debunk some of the most common misconceptions using five wonderful wines from Canada and Italy. Each wine highlighted a different myth, and each proved it wrong in the most delicious way. Wine doesn’t have to be complicated to be extraordinary. Serve it properly, store it wisely, and stay open to discovery. Whether it’s a twist-top white, a powerful cool-climate red, sea-aged sparkling, or an iconic style like Amarone — the key is curiosity, not conformity. Afterall, wine is meant to be experienced, not overcomplicated. So remember, the best bottle isn’t determined by price, closure, or origin—it’s the one you enjoy, explore, and share.

wine review: 2023 Sempre Mio “Primo Mio” Chardonnay, Lincoln Lakeshore VQA, Ontario 13.8% ABV

From the first vintage of Corey Mio’s Chardonnay project, “Primo Mio” is a single-barrel expression from the estate’s Mio Vineyard, a cuvée so distinct and expressive that it earned its own label and name. The nose is beautifully complex, opening with ripe orchard fruit, pear, and a touch of pineapple, framed by delicate spice and subtle oak integration. On the palate, it’s creamy yet refined, with vibrant white orchard fruit and spice carrying through to a long, refreshing finish. A delicate seashell minerality emerges late, adding a sense of place and salinity that speaks to the cool-climate terroir of Lincoln Lakeshore. An exceptional debut Chardonnay, polished, textural, and full of promise. A shining example of why Niagara’s single-vineyard Chardonnays continue to impress on the world stage. Tasted November 2025. 94+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

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