A new vineyard pest, the spotted lanternfly (SLF), is lurking within close proximity of the Niagara, Ontario border. This past summer and fall, it was detected in upstate New York, and although it is not a great flyer, it is a good stowaway and hitchhiker. Already SLF adults have been intercepted in shipments coming into Canada. So, it is no longer a question of “if” but “when” Ontario’s $4.4 billion wine industry and $4.2 billion fruit and vegetable crops will both be at risk. Read Also: Climate change: Three BC vintners address the impacts First discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, the infest ..read more

Among an extensive and impressive list of achievements, 4th generation vintner Dr. Laura Catena is a Biologist, has graduated from Harvard University with honours, obtained her PhD., has three children, and is the leader of the most beloved winery in the world. She is an icon to industry women at all corners of the globe. I had the opportunity to sit down and interview Laura in honour of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Leah Spooner: First of all, congratulations on winning the 2022 Drinks Business Woman of the Year Award! What does that mean to you personally and for Caten ..read more

Ontario winemakers and grape growers see a future where their products will be the leading choice among wine consumers in this province, with more than three million tourists visiting Ontario’s wine regions each year to enjoy world class wines and hospitality. Ontario’s VQA Wine and Grape Industry’s newly released 2030 Vision anticipates substantial growth in this important sector of the provincial economy, fueling increases in investment, market share, jobs and related tourism. Read Also:  VineRoutes announces its list of Ontario’s Top 20 Wineries of 2022 “The growing recognition of the ..read more

Champagne and its storied history are embodied by its tradition. The painstakingly long process of creating those tiny magical bubbles by second fermentation; the terroir – which is the magical chalk soil and fossilized sea urchins from a once-was seabed; the cool, marginal climate that creates these austere and acid driven wines; the history where movie stars and historic figures that have revered and popularized these unique wines; and the infamous underground caves carved out of chalk. I had the opportunity to visit Champagne for the first time during fall of ‘22, and I cannot believe it to ..read more

Tenuta Luce, a name that evokes the sunlight of Montalcino, has always honoured the vision of its celebrated founders and the symbolic wine of its estate, the aptly named ‘Luce’. The fabled history of Tenuta Luce began in the early 1990s, with Vittorio Frescobaldi’s encounter with another great wine figure, Robert Mondavi. For their ambitious project, these two far-seeing pioneers selected Tuscany – and more specifically Montalcino – a region already celebrated for its world-class wines. Both Frescobaldi and Mondavi were moved by the desire to make a wine that would exceed the boundaries of tr ..read more

Opening night at Twilight Symphony at the Castle is bustling with glamour, old-world luxury and the anticipation of an unforgettable evening about to begin. On arrival at Casa Loma’s grand entrance, guests travel the historic 800 ft tunnel below Austin Terrace, to the Carriage Room in The Stables for a one-of-a-kind performance bathed in candlelight. Read Also: The coupe glass is back in fashion and we’ve got 6 favourite styles The evening’s experience begins with guests being treated to prosecco, wine and delicious canapés at the Carriage Room bar where the stable stalls are transformed into ..read more

Icewine is made from grapes that have been left to freeze naturally on the vine, and Ontario is a leading producer, for obvious reasons, but also for its increasing global recognition when it comes to wine production. To produce Icewine, summers must be hot and winters must be cold and sharp. Of all the wine-producing regions in the world, only Ontario has a winter climate sufficiently cold enough to ensure an Icewine crop every year. Read Also: The cool facts on Canadian Icewine Icewine is best made when immediately pressed from frozen grapes, creating a very concentrated and flavourful juice ..read more

In today’s economic climate, more and more people are looking for ways to cut back on their spending, and that includes wine purchases. We are buying less wine and at the same time trying to find more value in what we’re spending on. Should cutting back on cost mean having to cut back on quality? Not necessarily, and certainly not when it comes to sparkling wine. It’s no secret that Champagne runs the highest price point for the world’s sparkling wine category, but it’s not common knowledge that sparkling wine regions around the world are making high-quality wines at less than half the price o ..read more

The stylish coupe glass was designed in the mid 17th century in England by a Benedictine monk. Champagne coupes quickly became fashionable in France in the 1700s and were the cocktail vessel of choice for many years. Later, shortly after prohibition ended in the United States, the coupe became a symbol of style and a glamourous way to enjoy Champagne for high society New Yorkers. There was (and still is) something ultra-luxurious, and even a little nostalgic about the coupe – Hollywood’s most adorned actors graced the big screen in iconic films like An Affair to Remember and Casablanca, with c ..read more

British Columbia-born actor/director Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills, 90210, Private Eyes) turned his passion for wine into a serious commitment when he joined the ownership group of Black Hills Estate Winery in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley in October 2007. Priestley was part of a team that grew Black Hills into one of the South Okanagan’s leading wineries, anchored by its flagship Nota Bene red blend. The winery was sold to Andrew Peller Limited in 2017. In a quest to remain actively involved in the Canadian wine business, Priestley has now partnered with friend and media broadcaster Ter ..read more