The trip to Los Angeles from San Diego is best accomplished by train. If you have visited L.A., you know the traffic can demoralize you before you arrive at your destination. A wine director friend and I made that two-hour train journey to attend the Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB). An event wherein more than 70 Châteaux offer their 2021 vintages for tasting and, of course, networking in a semi-cloaked manner. The event itself is akin to En Primeur except there is no bidding, buying, and guessing. There is, however, a monumental amount of tasting. By design, the location was as spectac ..read more

“Ontario wine consumers should drink Ontario wine; that is my goal,” says Mauro Salvador, head winemaker at Vieni Estates. Salvador is, of course, referring to the fact that in Europe, local wine is the priority. The French mostly drink French wine, Italians predominantly drink Italian wine and so on. So, for him, why Canadians, and more locally speaking, Ontarians, don’t reach for locally made wines first is a conundrum. He has made it his mission to change that by questioning, experimenting, improving and expanding the winery’s wine offerings all the while focusing on consistency and quality ..read more

The Oxley Public House is a must-visit place where fine dining and casual comfort coexist in harmony While Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighbourhood is merely a small slice of what the city has to offer, it’s flaunted as being one of the most desirable postal codes to live in – known for its Victorian-era homes, cobblestone streets, and abundance of gourmet restaurants. Add to that its extravagant designer boutiques and engaging art galleries and museums and you can see why the area has such wide appeal. Of course, shopping and stopping for a bite to eat go hand-in-hand, and lucky for tho ..read more

Retired Air Canada veteran Jerry Gain turns his love for wine and travel into thriving businesses with A Perfect Tour and Riverdale Wines, offering immersive wine-focused tours and a curated selection of exquisite wines Turning a passion into a paying gig is something most (read: all) of us only dream about. But if you’re Jerome (“Jerry”) Gain, you’re actually living the dream – in an extremely enviable way. As owner of both A Perfect Tour and Riverdale Wines Inc, Gain has channeled his passion for both travel and wine into the kind of business venture that really does make work something to l ..read more

With summer’s heat comes the perfect opportunity to indulge in the delicious charm of rosé wine. Whether you’re planning a leisurely afternoon on the patio or a sophisticated evening gathering, rosé offers a versatile and refreshing option that can elevate even the simplest occasion. From vibrant, fruit-forward expressions to elegant, dry finishes, there’s a ‘crushable’ rosé for every palate. Each of the below rosé wines brings its own unique flair to the table, offering a spectrum of flavours and aromas that cater to diverse tastes and occasions. Enhance your summer with their delightful and ..read more

Quebec’s winemakers are redefining what it means to produce quality wines in a northern climate Known for its vibrant food and wine scene, Quebec is emerging as a notable player in winemaking, thanks to its unique cool climate, growing network of passionate winemakers, and innovative wine industry. Although the story of Quebec viticulture goes all the way back to 1535 (with Jacques Cartier sailing up the St. Lawrence River, discovering wild vines growing on Île d’Orléans and naming the island ‘Île de Bacchus’), the actual history of winemaking in Quebec is relatively young compared to other wi ..read more

The premium Ontario VQA wine brand establishes roots in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula In a celebration that’s been two decades in the making, Le Clos Jordanne has finally opened its first estate winery, aptly named Domaine Le Clos Jordanne, on the Beamsville Bench – a renowned sub-appellation in the Niagara Peninsula. Continuing on a story that VineRoutes published last summer which announced the location of the brand’s permanent home and takeover of existing vineyards, the grand opening on June 4th heralded a new era for a brand that’s certainly seen its share of ups, downs, and ups agai ..read more

This relatively compact city has dozens of food operations from quick service to upscale-casual Look westward as you head toward Port Saint John on Highway 1 in New Brunswick, and you’ll see the surging waters known as the Reversing Falls Rapids. With some of the city’s industry as backdrop, the churn is generated by the collision of the Saint John River (called the Wolastoq by Indigenous peoples) and the Bay of Fundy, an astonishing tidal bore where 160 billion tonnes of sea water flow in and out of the bay as the tide changes by as much as 16 metres. With a population of 135,000 people and g ..read more

The Experts Tasting at Brock University’s CCOVI continues to be a beacon of excellence, education, and celebration in the world of cool-climate winemaking On June 6, Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) hosted its highly anticipated annual Experts Tasting event, bringing together a select group of media professionals, product consultants, sommeliers, and wine educators. This invitation-only event, designed to promote VQA wines through education and promotion, has been a cornerstone of the Ontario region’s wine industry for over 30 years. Established in 199 ..read more

For over 165 years, Bertani has epitomized the essence of Valpolicella winemaking, blending innovation with tradition to produce exceptional wines that have left an indelible mark on the industry. Founded by Giovan Battista and Gaetano Bertani, the winery was among the first in Italy to prioritize quality over quantity, recognizing the value of bottled wine early on. Their visionary approach led them to embrace innovative vineyard techniques, including insights from Burgundy’s Dr. Jules Guyot, setting anew standard for winemaking in the Valpolicella region. Bertani Bertani’s most notable con ..read more