Ontario Makes Great Wine!

Ontario has, in fact, been making great wine for decades, but a lot of Ontarians are still oblivious to that fact. Many know about the award-winning and world-famous Icewines, but what about our fantastic Chardonnays, Rieslings and Pinot Noirs, for example? They’ve won prestigious titles, too, but still the phrase “Ontario Wine” continues to be uttered with such disdain.

Well, I'm here to tell you that we’ve come a long way, baby! I acknowledge that our vinous history can trace its roots back to Chateau Gai and Baby Duck, but every country has wines in their closet at which they cringe (California White Zinfandel or Blue Nun, for example).

Even now, there are low quality wines from almost every wine-producing region in the world gracing the shelves of your local LCBO. I’m not saying that every Ontario wine is the next Chateau Margaux or Screaming Eagle, but I am saying it’s time to stop making blanket statements like, “I don’t drink Ontario wine.”

Trust me; you’re missing out on a great thing!

To back up that assertion, I proudly offer below 10 under-$15 Ontario wines you can find in the LCBO (which I also imbibe). Please let me know what you think of them!

1.       Cave Spring Riesling Dry ($14.95)

2.       Southbrook Triomphe Sauvignon Blanc ($14.95)

3.       Inniskillin Late Autumn Riesling ($12.95)

4.       Tawse “Sketches of Niagara” Rosé ($14.95)

5.       Cattail Creek “Serendipity” Rosé ($14.20)

6.       Château des Charmes Cabernet Franc ($13.95)

7.       Peninsula Ridge Cabernet ($12.95)

8.       Henry of Pelham Cabernet/Merlot ($14.95)

9.       Trius Cabernet Franc ($14.95)

10.  Southbrook Cabernet/Merlot/Shiraz (14.95)