Four Canadian wines recommended for fall celebrations
The selections include a collectible Okanagan red blend and a Niagara sparkling wine made for easy serving.
Four Canadian wines have been recommended for dinners and parties this fall, including a collectible red from the Okanagan and a sparkling wine from Niagara.
The Henry of Pelham Baco Noir 2025, priced at $16.95 in Ontario, is described as a fruity, full-bodied red with tart and sweet red fruit and peppery flavours.
It has 13 percent alcohol by volume and 12 grams per litre of residual sugar, and is available for immediate drinking.
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The wine is available for $14.95 direct from the winery, with various prices in Alberta and Saskatchewan, $17.99 in Manitoba, $17.95 in Quebec, $23 in New Brunswick, $23.49 in Prince Edward Island and $22.21 in Newfoundland.
"Henry of Pelham’s early interest in the unassuming baco noir has given the Speck family a unique selling opportunity around the world," the notes state, adding it has become one of Niagara’s biggest exports.
Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2022 is a medium-bodied red blend from the southern Okanagan, priced at $60.95 in Ontario.
"Osoyoos Larose has produced collectible and age-worthy red wine from the southern Okanagan since its first vintage in 2001," the notes state.
Originally a joint venture between Bordeaux’s Groupe Taillan and Canada’s Vincor International, it is now entirely French-owned and has just updated its packaging.
The 2022 vintage, made mostly from merlot with cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot and malbec, features a distinctive Okanagan sage note alongside juicy dark fruit and floral flavours.
It has 14.5 percent alcohol by volume and 3 grams per litre of residual sugar, and can be drunk now or cellared until 2036.
The wine is also available for $59.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta and Saskatchewan, $64.99 in Manitoba and $67 in New Brunswick.
The Peller Family Reserve Secco Bubbles, a $14.95 Niagara take on Prosecco, comes with a screw cap for easy opening.
"This Niagara take on Prosecco comes with a screw cap closure, which might cause confusion by lacking the traditional mushroom-shaped cork and wire cage, but makes opening and serving a breeze," the notes state.
It is a blend of vidal, gewurztraminer and other grapes, featuring a crowd-pleasing mix of peach, apple and pear flavours with 12 percent alcohol by volume and 12 grams per litre of residual sugar.
It is available for various prices in Alberta, $17.99 in Manitoba, $16.49 in New Brunswick and $19.42 in Newfoundland.
Sandhill Sovereign Opal 2025, priced at $19.95 in British Columbia, is a light and juicy white wine made from a grape variety bred in Summerland, B.C., in 1966.
"The sovereign opal grape variety was bred in 1966 in Summerland, B.C., to withstand the Okanagan’s harsh winters," the notes state.
The hybrid grape, a cross between maréchal foch and golden muscat, produces wines with distinctive floral, peach and tropical flavours balanced by citrusy acidity that balances the natural sweetness.
It has 11.7 percent alcohol by volume and 12.5 grams per litre of residual sugar.
"Sandhill continues to be the only producer of this made-in-Canada rarity," the notes state.
The wine is available at various prices in Alberta.
With files from The Globe and Mail
Renée Bouchard writes about food, restaurants and grocery prices across Canada for Novello Desserts.