How a father-son duo turned a lifelong passion for distillation into Maison Le Chêne and its groundbreaking creation, Chambre Noire Admittedly, the LinkedIn message took me a little off guard: “Hi Tod – It’s great connecting with you. My name is Sacha Le Chêne. I’m co-founder of Maison Le Chêne. You wrote a really beautiful piece on my dad, Simon, almost 30 years ago. It was about him and the ice wine grappa he developed whilst working at Magnotta. He asked me to get in contact with you to let you know we have our own micro-distillery here in Quebec and are launching our first product, Chambre ..read more

As tariffs shift consumer focus, it’s time to celebrate Canadian wine for what it is—unique, high-quality, and reflective of its own terroir. Leah Spooner writes this letter to Canadian consumers In light of the tariff war, wine buyers are turning their heads towards local wines. There’s one thing I’d like to contribute to the narrative of all that’s happening in the wine industry as a result: I don’t think we should be trying to compare Canadian wines to California wines. Nobody wants to see Canadian wine flourish more than myself but simply offering consumers Canadian wine in replace of thei ..read more

Through Vinequity and beyond, Nabilah Rawji, Carrie Rau, and Beverly Crandon are ensuring that the wine industry welcomes all The wine world has changed dramatically over the past decade. From an industry perspective, wine events are now a much more accurate representation of the larger community and on the consumer side, it’s more and more common to see people from all backgrounds and ethnicities enjoying a glass of vino with their meals. While some of this change has been organic and a sign of the times, much of it has been driven by industry insiders. In Toronto, three of those insiders cam ..read more

As part of Ontario’s response strategy to U.S. tariffs, the government of Ontario has directed the LCBO (one of the world’s largest purchasers of wine and spirits) to take operational steps to implement restrictions on all U.S. beverage alcohol sales and related imports into Ontario, effective immediately. LCBO has ceased the purchase of all U.S. products, retail customers are no longer able to purchase U.S. products on lcbo.com and the LCBO app, and wholesale customers, including grocery and convenience stores, bars, restaurants, and other retailers, are no longer able to place orde ..read more

When great bottles of wine deserve the right audience. Tony Aspler weighs in on the delicate art of wine hospitality. Do you pour with generosity—or strategic restraint? Recently a wine writer colleague (who will remain nameless to preserve his marriage) offered the following confession: “When my in‐laws come over for dinner, I open my best red wines… Because they only drink white.” I nodded in the way one does when you are spontaneously horrified by such candor while at the same time realizing that you too are guilty of the same kind of oenological fascism. Own u ..read more

From blending grape to star player, here’s why cabernet franc is the new darling of cool-climate wines While cabernet sauvignon plays the role of all-star athlete as the world of wine’s most widely grown – and consumed grape in the world – it is in fact its parent grape, cabernet franc, that has earned its stripes as the “cool” kid on the vineyard block. Cabernet franc has been a blending grape in Bordeaux for centuries but is also commonly used as a single varietal in the Loire Valley of France. However, in the past couple of decades, grape growers in other cool-climate regions have been stea ..read more

Applications are now open for Canadian restaurants looking to showcase their exceptional food and wine programs, with winners to be announced in early fall VineRoutes, Canada’s premier online wine lifestyle publication, is thrilled to announce the launch of its inaugural Restaurant Awards program, celebrating excellence in the Canadian culinary scene. This initiative aims to recognize restaurants that offer exceptional food and wine experiences, highlighting establishments that seamlessly integrate outstanding cuisine with thoughtfully curated wine programs. Application process now open Canadi ..read more

From discovering new varieties to tasting Canadian standouts, here’s how to celebrate international wine days in style This year, there’s over 40 internationally recognized wine and grape days vying for your attention, according to lists published by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and the Wine International Association. As a wine enthusiast, you have likely heard of one of the longest running annual days, Beaujolais Nouveau Day, which started in 1985 and takes place every third Thursday of November. However, many of the days are less well known even though their wines can be delicious. A ..read more

Cocktail culture has never been more inventive. From classic revivals to bold new creations, there’s now a cocktail for every mood, season, and occasion. Whether you’re toasting to love, celebrating a milestone, or simply enjoying a quiet evening, the art of mixology continues to evolve with unique flavours and techniques. Inspired by romance, the Gin-uinely Yours cocktail is a delicate yet vibrant drink featuring Dillon’s Rose Gin, bright citrus, and a silky egg white foam. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special moment, it’s a beautifully balanced sip. Best of all, it’s easy to make at ho ..read more

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar has officially opened its doors in Calgary’s Signal Hill, bringing its signature hospitality and high-quality steakhouse experience to the city’s southwest. Located at 5562 Signal Hill Centre SW, this new destination offers a warm, upscale atmosphere ideal for any occasion. “We are excited to join the Signal Hill community and share The Keg experience with new guests,” says Geoff Croteau, franchisee of the new location. Founded in 1971, The Keg is a Canadian-owned and operated restaurant chain with over 100 locations across North America. Renowned for its expertly prep ..read more