Tag: niagara

Divergence Blanc de Blancs 2020, Hughes Vineyard, Lincoln Lakeshore VQA, Ontario

If you haven’t heard of Divergence and the premium wines they’re crafting from some of Niagara’s finest single vineyards, consider this your introduction (you can thank me later for the recommendation 😉)! Winemaker and proprietor Jeff Moote is producing small-lot, high-quality wines that are quickly earning attention, just as I discovered first-hand this summer at the Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration in Niagara, where his 2020 Blanc de Blancs left me and other wine professionals in awe. Sourced from the Hughes Vineyard in the Lincoln Lakeshore, this single-vineyard traditional method sparkling Chardonnay is a textbook example of the precision, complexity, and potential of cool-climate Niagara Chardonnay. Hand-picked and whole-cluster pressed, it balances the richness of the warm 2020 vintage with bright acidity and remarkable finesse. Barrel-fermented and aged six months on primary lees in old French oak before spending 42 months en tirage, it has developed superb texture, elegance, and layered complexity. On the palate, it shines with flinty minerality, salted croissant, and orchard fruit-filled pastry notes, all carried on a refined and elegant frame. A beautifully structured and age-worthy wine, Divergence’s 2020 Blanc de Blancs is a brilliant expression of both site and craft. Hats off to winemaker Jeff Moote — an exceptional wine that will shine bright for many years. Enjoy 2025-2035. Tasted July 2025. 94+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

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World-Class Canadian Wines for Canada Day – As aired on CTV – June 30, 2025

Today on CTV Morning Live (and later on CFRA News Talk 580), Sommelier Matt Steeves was presenting some of his top-rated Canadian wines from all across Canada. These are wines which sommeliers across Canada and around the world are raving about the high quality and world-class nature that these wines have, similar to some of the finest wines from more storied wine regions in the world.  But nowadays you don’t need to look far in Canada to find exceptional quality wines that are both locally produced and absolutely delicious! As we prepare to celebrate Canada Day this is one of the best times to explore and enjoy Canadian wine as we’ve come a long way over the past half century and we’ve firmly secured our spot as a great wine-making nation!

Domaine Queylus ‘Réserve du Domaine’ Chardonnay 2022 – Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Crafted from carefully selected parcels on the Niagara Peninsula, this wine is powerful yet refined. Aged in high-quality oak barrels, it’s a Chardonnay that delivers depth and elegance in equal measure. Orchard fruit, crème brûlée, spice, and toasty oak form a complex profile. 🍏 A full-bodied, textured Chardonnay with fine balance and long finish. Perfect for lobster, creamy risotto, or roast pork. $48.50 (winery-direct)

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Raising your elbows and a glass of delicious Canadian wine this Spring – Being patriotic never tasted so good! As aired on CTV – March 31, 2025

Today on CTV, CTVs Stefan Keys, Melissa Lamb, 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. 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. 

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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

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. 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. 

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wine review: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery Elisha’s Chardonnay 2018 – Niagara Peninsula VQA – $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

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wine review: Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022, Lincoln Lakeshore VQA, Ontario, Canada – $40 winery-direct

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.

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wine review: Lailey Off-Dry Riesling 2022

Ottawa, ON February 2025 Matt's review: From Lailey's vineyards along the picturesque Niagara River Parkway, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, their off-dry Riesling is an elegant expression of premium Niagara Riesling. The nose shows a fragrant bouquet of orchard and stone fruit, apple, pear, with wildflower honey and floral blossoms and impressive steely minerality. The palate repeats,... Continue Reading →

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