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.
wine review: Drea’s Wine Co. 2023 Single Vineyard collection from Niagara on the Lake, ON
Andrea Kaiser’s Drea’s Wine Co. is one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s most exciting boutique wineries, producing single-vineyard, low-intervention wines that beautifully capture the character of this unique terroir. Crafted in small quantities, these wines are not only deeply personal—dedicated to her late father, Canadian winemaking pioneer Karl J. Kaiser—but also proudly reflective of the land and the legacy she continues to build.
Special Club Champagne – Terroir and Talent
While many know Champagne through famous houses like Taittinger, Krug, Lanson, Moët & Chandon and Dom Pérignon, there is a growing movement of Récoltants-Manipulants (grower-producers) who farm their own vineyards and craft wines that express their unique terroir. Among the elite is Le Club Trésors de Champagne, a group (currently of) 25 exceptional growers (including the three featured producers below) united by a commitment to quality, authenticity, and terroir expression. Within Le Club, the pinnacle of achievement is the Special Club — a bottle shape and designation reserved only for the very best cuvée(s) each grower produces in outstanding vintages. To be chosen as a Special Club Champagne, a wine must pass multiple blind tastings by a jury of fellow Le Club members and external oenologists, both as a still base wine and also post-second fermentation, generally 3+ years later before the wine is considered for commercial release. If the jury all agree that the wine merits the honour of carrying the Special Club label then it is permitted to be sold as a Special Club Champagne, in the distinctive, slightly antique-shaped bottle first used in 1971, signaling to collectors and connoisseurs that they are holding something rare and something that represents the height of Champagne craftsmanship.
Wine review: 2024 Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery “Vilicus” Pinot Grigio from Horse Heaven Hills
Straw-gold colour, the nose offers ripe stone fruit, orchard fruits, spring blossoms, and a hint of wildflower honey, accompanied by a subtle mineral note. On the palate, it's generous, with vibrant flavors of stone fruit, pear, and a touch of citrus zest that lingers on the finish. A delightful wine to enjoy this spring and summer. Tasted May 2025. 90 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.QuercusVino.ca
#wine review: Arterra Pinot Gris 2017
Ottawa, ON May 2019 Matt's review: 2017 was the first vintage of Arterra Pinot Gris, which happened to be a stellar year to make its debut. Incredibly aromatic, with sweet orchard fruits, honeysuckle, wildflower honey, and lemon curd on the nose. Those inviting aromas are met with a very crisp and refreshing mineral-driven palate where... Continue Reading →
#wine review: 2017 Arterra Pinot Noir
Ottawa, ON April 2019 Matt's review: 2017 Arterra Pinot Noir benefits from a touch of appassimento winemaking where a portion of the grapes were carefully set aside and left to dry for a period of time after harvesting, similar to what they do in Valpolicella (Italy) with the iconic Amarone wines, before the partially dehydrated... Continue Reading →
