Latest news with #wineindustry
ABC News
10 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Wine giant's shock closure of Banrock Station cellar door end of a 'fantastic marriage'
Global wine giant Vinarchy will close a renowned cellar door in Australia's largest wine grape growing region as it consolidates its operations. Banrock Station, located in South Australia's Riverland, will close its cellar door and restaurant alongside Rolf Binder near Tanunda in the Barossa Valley. The last day of service at both cellar doors is expected to be towards the end of June. The decision comes just months after international wine brands Accolade and Pernod Ricard Wines merged to create Vinarchy, promising "innovation" in global winemaking. The company said the decision would create "uncertainty" for team members employed at both sites, but committed to supporting staff in the transition. Chief supply officer Joe Russo said support would include redeployment opportunities to local locations, or redundancy and outplacement support "where necessary". The company said viticulture and vineyard operations would remain at both Banrock Station and Rolf Binder sites with no impact on those teams. The company has also invested $70 million in its Berri Estates site, the largest winery in the Southern Hemisphere, to turn the facility into Vinarchy's primary commercial winemaking, packaging and warehousing hub. Winemaking at St Hallett in the Barossa and Hardy's Tintara in McLaren Vale will be shifted to Vinarchy's Rowland Flat site by the 2026-27 vintages at a cost of $30 million. "These important changes represent Vinarchy's commitment to building a stronger winemaking footprint in South Australia," Mr Russo said. Vinarchy produces more than 32 million cases of wine and turns over more than $1.5 billion in net sales revenue annually. The imminent closure of Banrock Station's public operations has raised questions about what impact the move will have on local tourism and the environment. Tony Sharley was involved in the foundation of Banrock Station, including the cultivation of the site's globally recognised Ramsar wetlands, before stepping away in 2009. Mr Sharley said he was disappointed the experiences would be coming to an end. "It's quite clever in a way that as a visitor experience, it brought wine lovers to nature, and it brought nature lovers to wine," he said. "It was a fantastic marriage." Mr Sharley called Banrock Station's former owners Hardy Wines' original decision to mix wine with nature "a unique piece". "It was very courageous back in the day for a company … to create a cellar door overlooking a wetland and then building a wine brand around its care for the environment," he said. The wetlands surrounding the winery have been a drawcard for visitors as part of the experiences offered by the brand. In 2002, the area was made a Ramsar site of international importance due to its significance for wildlife and biodiversity. The Ramsar Convention means the Banrock Wetlands' ecological character must be conserved and meet Australian Ramsar management principles. A Vinarchy spokesperson said the company would continue its commitment to maintaining the wetlands as required by the convention, including environmental watering and drying cycles. "We will continue to consult with stakeholders regarding wetland conservation, including potential partnerships with environmental tourism organisations," a spokesperson said. Riverland MP Tim Whetstone labelled Vinarchy's decision to close Banrock Station a "day of reckoning for the region" and questioned the implications on the local economy. "The Banrock business, the wine brand, the wetlands and the destination into the Riverland has been widely regarded as a centre of excellence," Mr Whetstone said. "It has had a significant association with environmentalists and environmental visitation that I think now will see people look elsewhere." The shift for the Vinarchy brand follows a tumultuous period for the Riverland wine industry as it grapples with challenging seasonal conditions and global oversupply. "I would've thought that the Banrock brand and the facility would have been a really good working piece of diversity in what is a very ailing industry," Mr Whetstone said.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
What Your Favorite Rosé Wine Style Says About Your Summer Plans
Rosé isn't one-style-fits-all anymore. Rosé may be the most self-expressive category in wine. It's not just about grape or region—though those matter—but about style, tone and intent. Pale and dry? Deep pink with grip? Fizzy and unfiltered? Unlike red or white, rosé has become shorthand for summer. It's what you bring to the picnic, what you drink on vacation and what shows up in the group text. As the category continues to stretch—across price points and winemaking styles—so does its connection to personality. And while the global wine industry has been tumultuous lately, the rosé wine segment continues to grow. The global rosé wine market was valued at $3.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $4.6 billion by 2030. These days, there's a rosé for every kind of drinker, from the natural wine obsessive to the person who still orders White Zinfandel unabashedly. (Drink what you want responsibly.) The rise of regional variety has only added to the range. A grenache-syrah blend from the South of France doesn't land the same way as a pét-nat from the Finger Lakes or a structured Tavel built for food. But preference isn't always just about taste. Rosé choices tend to reflect mood, occasion and the kind of summer someone wants to have. This is not a quiz. There are no right answers. But the style of rosé you reach for might say more than you think. Are you planning rooftop parties or staying in with a new playlist? Do you want something bright and sparkling or something strange and cloudy with a wax-sealed bottle? There's a rosé for that—and probably a plan to go with it. Here are five popular (and some might even say basic) styles and what they suggest about your season ahead. Some are social, some are quiet and some are just thirsty. But they're all signals of how rosé has become more than a drink. It's shorthand. It's self-selecting. It's summer, in a bottle. A classic pale pink rosé remains the go-to for warm days, cool nights and everything in between. Dry, mineral and whisper-pink. You booked the same beach house in the Hamptons for the third year running. Your outfits are linen, your nails are neutral and your carry-on always fits the overhead bin. Summer Plans: Alfresco dinners, early-morning running and debating whether to switch from salad to flatbread. Suggested Bottles: Chateau D'Estoublon 'Roseblood' Rose Chateau Peyrassol Rosé Château Sainte Marguerite Symphonie Rosé Domaine Rouge-Bleu Dentelle Rosé Old Vine Ranch Rosé Clinking glasses at sunset. Bubbly, crisp and often pinot-based. You RSVP yes to everything, even if the plans overlap. Your calendar is color-coded, your group chats are named and your fridge always has something chilled just in case. Summer Plans: Weddings, long brunches, rooftop drinks and any event that calls for a toast—even if it's just making it to Friday. Suggested Bottles: Champagne Ayala Rosé Majeur Juvé & Camps Brut Rosé Pinot Noir NV Langlois Crémant de Loire Rosé Brut McBride Sisters Collection Sparkling Brut Rose Hawke's Bay NV Supernova Brut Rosé Tavel rosé, deeper in color and fuller in body, stands apart as one of the only French appellations dedicated solely to rosé. Ripe red fruit and a fuller body. You want flavor, structure and wines that pair with actual meals. You can drink red year-round regardless of how hot it is outside and you only entertain on your own turf. Summer Plans: Real glassware, weeknight grilling and never asking for ice. Suggested Bottles: Cantina Zaccagnini Cerasuolo D'Abruzzo Rosé Cordero San Giorgio Piasa Rosato E. Guigal Tavel Rose La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Côtes-du-Rhône Rosé Masciarelli Villa Gemma Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Cerasuolo Rosé Cloudy, funky and a little unpredictable. Cloudy, unfiltered and maybe a little wild. You like your wines a little weird and your summers loose on structure. You never travel with an itinerary. Summer Plans: Vinyl nights, farmers markets and spontaneous weekend hikes with limited cell service. Suggested Bottles: Buccia Nera ConFondo Pét-Nat Rosato Domaine de la Mongestine Les Monges Rosé BIO La Grange Tiphaine "Rosa, Rose, Rosam" Pét-Nat Martha Stoumen Post Flirtation Rosé NV No. 3 Meinklang 'Prosa'Frizzante Rosé Often dismissed but never forgotten, White Zinfandel remains a cult classic. Sweet, fruity and nostalgic. You're unbothered by wine snobs and more interested in what tastes good to you. You don't pretend to like something just because it's trending. Summer Plans: Pool parties, loud playlists and turning 'just one' into an entire afternoon. Suggested Bottles: Broc Cellars Love Rosé Day Wines 'Babycheeks' Rosé Monte Rio Cellars 'Teresi' Rose of Zinfandel Sabelli-Frisch 'Mariedam' White Zinfandel Turley Wine Cellars White Zinfandel
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
How an NYC wine company helped take on Trump's tariffs and won, at least for a day
When Victor Schwartz began his small, New York City-based wine company nearly 40 years ago, he certainly never expected to be facing off against the most powerful person in the world. But Schwartz and his company VOS Selections are the lead plaintiffs in a legal battle against some of Donald Trump's tariffs, in a case which could have economic implications across the world. "I didn't start my company with the idea of like I'm going to sue the president of the United States some day," Schwartz told CBC News. "That was not my goal in life. I just wanted to bring in really nice wine to sell to people that enjoyed them." Yet Schwartz's company was instrumental in landing a serious legal blow against Trump's tariff policies on Wednesday, when a court ruled the administration had exceeded its right to impose some of those tariffs and had to stop collecting them. Short-lived victory The victory, however, was short lived when, a day later, a U.S. federal appeals court granted an emergency motion that would allow the administration to continue the tariffs, at least temporarily. Schwartz seemed to take the reversal in stride. "That's just part of the process. It's not like we thought we won the case after that decision [Wednesday] This process, we knew was going to be appealed," he said. In February, Trump invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, saying that the illegal flow of immigrants and drugs across the U.S. border amounted to a national emergency and that the three countries needed to do more to stop it. Last month, Trump also cited the IEEPA when he imposed what he referred to as "reciprocal" tariffs which, he said, were needed to address the U.S. trade balance with other countries. He later suspended those tariffs for 90 days to give countries time to agree to reduce barriers to U.S. exports. In its ruling Wednesday, a three-judge panel at the New York-based U.S. Court of International Trade, found that the president had exceeded his authority when he invoked that act. The ruling came in a pair of lawsuits. One was filed by the nonpartisan Liberty Justice Center on behalf of five small U.S. businesses, including VOS Selections, which import goods from countries targeted by the tariffs. The other lawsuit was filed by 12 U.S. states. Schwartz says when the first decision came down on Wednesday he wasn't exactly sure what it meant until a lawyer friend explained it to him. "Then I was pretty elated, and I knew it was a really good thing for everybody, for us, for small businesses across the country, and for world trade, you know?" he said. The tariffs are "really just a terrible, terrible impact on what we're trying to do here." He celebrated in his Manhattan apartment with his wife, and of course a special bottle of wine, a vermentino from France. His company, which he runs with his daughter Chloe, imports wines from 16 countries and distributes them to neighbouring states. Schwartz says he runs a family company that works with family operations and family farms in Europe and the U.S. Asked to join the case Schwartz says he didn't seek legal redress but found out through a family member that Ilya Somin, a constitutional law professor at George Mason University, was going to be bringing a case against the tariffs. Schwartz says he contacted Somin just to tell him about what was going on in his industry and that Somin was very interested to hear his story. "Long story short, they asked me to join the case and then eventually asked me to be their lead plaintiff," he said. "That's really how it evolved. I'm a very unintentional plaintiff here. I didn't go out looking for this fight." WATCH | Carney welcomes ruling blocking some Trump tariffs: Carney welcomes U.S. court decision blocking some Trump tariffs 9 hours ago Duration 11:51 Prime Minister Mark Carney says a U.S. court decision that struck down some of Donald Trump's tariffs shows that they were 'unlawful as well as unjustified.' A three-judge panel ruled the president overstepped his constitutional authority by using emergency powers to impose sweeping levies on global goods. He says the first time he read the legal complaint, with his company's name on it, he laughed "kind of crazily." "'VOS Selections versus Trump.' It was like a kind of dream," said Schwartz. "It was 'Wow, this is amazing.'" Meanwhile, Somin, the law professor, said in his blog on Thursday that the appeal court ruling was not an indefinite stay, but a temporary block while a decision is made over whether a more permanent stay, pending appeal, should be implemented. If the case eventually makes its way to the Supreme Court, Somin told CBC News that his team is "guardedly optimistic" they will prevail. He says he was not surprised by Wednesday's ruling. Somin says that, during oral arguments a couple of weeks ago, the judges seemed to make it pretty clear that they did not accept the administration's claim that the president "essentially has the power to impose any tariffs he wants on any country at any time for any reason, for as long as he wants, as long if he feels like it." That, said Somin, is a "massive power grab."
Forbes
7 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Great Pinot Noir Wines Made By 2nd-Generation Oregon Farmers Turned Wine Producer
Leaf of a grape vine A 12-year-old boy with a deep tan, illustrating how much of his free time he spent outside in his farmland paradise, ran off his school bus with his tuba in tow with such an intense burst of energy one would think that he was racing to start shenanigans with his friends which is a time-honored tradition among adolescent boys. But this young boy was in a unique situation as his father was a vineyard manager at one of the top wineries in picturesque Willamette Valley, Oregon, and so, the school would always drop him off where his father worked and by osmosis he would take in the wisdom at a very young age of how an ultra-premium Willamette Valley winery made great Pinot Noir, sparkling wine and eventually Chardonnay. Jackson Holstein with one of his kids Yet his exposure to practical knowledge went deeper as this boy's father owned a prime vineyard in the Dundee Hills AVA, a precious sub-region of Willamette, reaching up to 740 feet in elevation with exposure to plenty of sunlight and cool winds from the Pacific. His father was fortunate enough to buy a top vineyard spot before Willamette became such a hotspot for big wine companies, hence driving up prices. His father was happiest working the vines, growing stellar fruit but not taking the risky investment of making his own wine. Although that 12-year-old tuba-carrying bright-eyed boy would go on to become a winemaker, it would not be in the conventional sense of how a modern winemaking journey looks, yet his path does harken to a different time. "It is in his DNA" can often refer to wine producers, especially in Europe, who have been part of several generations of winemakers and wine growers, sometimes going so far back – such as 15 generations – it is dizzying to think about. Immediately, it sounds like an impressive fact. Despite some of those wine families being extraordinary, many others with such a lineage find there are various detriments of such a heritage: lack of innovation by getting held back by centuries of tradition and no sense of autonomy felt by the family member running it will both top the list, as it gets in the way of the direct personal transmission from the living human making the wines to those who are drinking it. Jackson and Ayla Holstein Compared to a much older wine-producing area such as Europe, two generations of working with vines may pale in comparison to centuries-old wine growers at just a superficial level. However, looking deeper, there can be fantastic opportunities to discover rising wine stars among the second generation. One such one is Jackson Holstein, who was that 12-year-old boy with the tuba, now making outstanding wines where he grew up, in partnership with his wife, Ayla Holstein, another second-generation farmer, who grew up on the same hill as Jackson. However, wine can be in one's DNA as a second-generation grower and first-generation winemaker if that person was into all aspects of the wine-growing/making process from a very early age. In recent times, Oregon has gotten tons of attention as a place that some have proclaimed to produce Pinot Noir wines on the level of stellar Burgundy wines, and it was a thrilling place to grow up, as one could see in real-time that Oregon was carving out a prestigious reputation in just a matter of a couple of generations. When one examines much older wine families that go beyond a century, in some cases, it can seem more like an obligation, a heavyweight, which one must bear without the ability to consider any other path in life. It is not always that way, but it is worth considering that being only a couple of generations old as a family business, especially when the kids are given every opportunity to pick another path, can have the main benefit of it being a real choice. Initially, Jackson worked in cellars locally and in other countries. He imagined settling down as a winemaker for another producer, even taking viticulture and winemaking classes. Yet, he found those less helpful as he felt the textbook answers of how one works to manage grapes in Willamette Valley, Oregon, were erroneous, with no real experience behind those academic lessons. His wife, Ayla, who worked harvests in New Zealand and Australia as well as in Oregon, became a wine buyer for a prominent local restaurant in Willamette. Yet they never envisioned becoming their own wine producer, as they knew firsthand that they didn't have the capital as well as Ayla's experience as a wine buyer showed her how fiercely competitive the wine market could be. "The currency of a grower" [is soil] -Jackson and Ayla Holstein One day, Jackson's father decided he could no longer handle his estate vineyard, Holstein Estate. He would have to sell or lease it, with many vineyard leases running at least ten years, if not much longer, and either Jackson and Ayla wanted to take it over, or he would have to consider the other two options. It was a terrifying moment, as they didn't know if they could survive, now surrounded by many big wine companies and famous Burgundy producers who dominated the Oregon wine scene. But it terrified them more to think that Jackson's father would quickly be given a price to sell that he couldn't refuse, as they had seen many of the family vineyards around them do the same, and then they would have lost that opportunity forever. So, in 2014, they started their own wine company, Granville Wine Co., with the idea of producing a small amount of wine; today, it is only 4,000 cases in total. They are interested in bottling from top vineyards sourced from key sub-regions of the Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity Hills AVAs, including their family estate Holstein. Jackson and Ayla know the vineyards like the back of their hands and they have close connections with the growers that were established even before they were born, so sourcing outstanding fruit is not an issue for them. Their wines have a beautiful purity of fruit, gorgeous texture, and addictive, vibrant juiciness on the palate, yet their single vineyard bottlings are incredibly distinctive with an intense sense of place. This shows how first-time family winemakers, who come from farmers, can make thrilling wines not held back by tradition yet know how to honor and express the sense of place of each vineyard. Granville Wine Co. vineyard and surrounding landscape Ayla's farming family never grew wine grapes, yet the vineyards surrounding her where she grew up were still a part of her daily existence. She has witnessed the amazing wine journey for Willamette Valley wine producers going from obscurity to becoming a huge hotspot for those who want to make gorgeous Pinot Noir. She is thankful that such well-known California and Burgundy producers have invested in her home, bringing attention to the region. Yet there is the fear that one day, Willamette Valley, Oregon, will no longer have a community of families that even remember the founders, let alone have a personal connection with those who started the Oregon wine dream. As she looks at her and Jackson's two young children, she knows that they have to do everything in their power to keep a healthy balance of internationally recognized producers counterpoised with the second-generation, and hopefully the third - who will keep alive the founders' fierce passion that was able to create wines that rivaled Burgundy against all odds. 2023 Granville, Basalt & Holstein Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir wines Oregon grows a wide range of grape varieties in small quantities, but Chardonnay has become the latest star, which makes sense as Burgundy makes great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, so if one does well in an area, usually the other will thrive too. In the past, Oregon Chardonnay was never that successful as most of the grapes were planted in much cooler vineyards to make Champagne method sparkling wine, so it wasn't ideally suited for still Chardonnay. But in recent years, the Chardonnay still wines have become stars in their own right, as new vines were planted in prime vineyards, and the wine producers have had plenty of time to work with still Chardonnay wine in their cellars to achieve an ideal balance. Also, Oregon has already made a name for itself with its sparkling wines, which go back over 30 years, and the winery where Jackson was dropped off as a kid, where his father worked, is one of the top Oregon sparkling wine producers. The Granville Pinot Noir wines are a must-try, but for those who like ultra-premium sparkling wine and/or Chardonnay wines with freshness and minerality, these should also be on the list. 2023 Granville, "Basalt" Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon: 100% Pinot Noir sourced from vineyards in Dundee Hills & Eola-Amity Hills. Granville's "Basalt" wines come from organically farmed vineyards with rich volcanic basalt soils. A vivacious wine with lots of juicy, bright fruit of black cherry intermixed with rhubarb crostata with a hint of underbrush with a fine, delicate tannic structure and vibrant acidity. Only 500 cases made. 2023 Granville, Holstein Estate Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon: 100% Pinot Noir sourced from the Holstein estate single vineyard in Dundee Hills, which is rich in both iron and clay with fractured basalt bedrock underneath, and it is organically farmed. An exciting bouquet on the nose with lilacs, raspberry crisp, crushed rocks and dry tree bark with big, rounded tannins and deep concentration of fruit on the palate that has a long, flavorful finish with an aromatic lift. Only 350 cases made. 2023 Granville, Basalt & Koosah Vineyard Chardonnay wines 2023 Granville, "Basalt" Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, Oregon: 100% Chardonnay sourced from Dundee Hills & Eola-Amity Hills vineyards. Granville's "Basalt" wines come from organically farmed vineyards with rich volcanic basalt soils. Pristine notes of pear drop, wet river stones and freshly made brioche with enchanting scents of honeysuckle and orange blossom slowly revealing themselves. Only 400 cases made. 2023 Granville, Koosah Vineyard, Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon: 100% Chardonnay sourced from the Koosah single vineyard in Eola-Amity Hills. Koosah Vineyard was established by the Chambers Family in 2016, who pushed the boundaries with data-driven biodynamic farming, and is one of the highest and steepest vineyards in Willamette Valley. Despite the family selling this vineyard to Louis Jadot in 2022, Jackson and Ayla will still be able to work with this vineyard. A wine that wows just from the aromas with electric notes of lemon confit and quince paste with hints of delectable marzipan with a fierce undertone of saline minerality and a slightly creamy texture perfectly balanced by crisp acidity. Only 225 cases made. 2022 Granville, Basalt Sparkling 2022 Granville, "Basalt" Sparkling, Willamette Valley, Oregon: 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir sourced from vineyards in Dundee Hills & Eola-Amity. Granville's "Basalt" sparkling wines come from organically farmed vineyards with rich volcanic basalt soils. Lemon sorbet and violet petals are irresistibly enticing on the nose, along with freshly baked apple pie, sea spray and torn lemongrass stalks with a creamy mid-palate created by very fine bubbles that has a long persistence. Only 200 cases made.
Globe and Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Eight Canadian wines to drink now
Winemakers are riding a wave of optimism heading into the summer. The Buy Canadian movement continues to boost demand for homegrown wine, with increased sales of still and sparkling wines reported across the country. The added exposure is hoped to boost winery tourism by anti-tariff staycationers as well as international travellers in the coming months. Vineyards are budding, which is an especially welcome sign of recovery for grape growers in British Columbia after damaging winter conditions in 2023 and 2024. Reports from Poplar Grove in Penticton, B.C., anticipate a 60 per cent crop this fall after losing last year's harvest to frost, while Le Vieux Pin in Oliver posted photos of flowering viognier, sauvignon blanc and roussanne vines with an enthusiastic caption: 'The 2025 vintage has begun – strong, resilient and full of promise.' Adding to the excitement are compelling new releases like this week's recommendations. These authentic, homegrown wines are sure to stimulate your senses. The lineup includes four stellar chardonnays that show how suited that variety is to vineyards across the country. There are also a couple of rosés, a surprising pink-hued white and a charming and generous red blend from a popular British Columbia family estate to buy now. Burrowing Owl Athene 2021 (Canada), $41 Rating: 93 Always a stand-out in Burrowing Owl's extensive portfolio, Athene is a syrah and cabernet sauvignon blend produced from the Wyse family's estate vineyard on Black Sage Bench in Oliver, B.C. The grape varieties are co-fermented, which results in a complex and concentrated red wine that delivers satisfying cherry, plum, peppery spice, earthy and floral notes. This is harmonious and inviting right now but has the structure and intensity to mature gracefully in the cellar. It has 14 per cent ABV and 2.5 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2034. Available direct, Coteau Rougemont Versant Rosé 2023 (Canada), $17.85 Rating: 86 This rosé from Quebec's Coteau Rougemont is made from a cunning mix of frontenac gris (70 per cent), petite perle (20 per cent) and vidal (10 per cent), hybrid grape vines prized for their ability to endure cold temperatures. The lightly musky aroma points to use of hybrid varieties, while the silky texture combines with persistent (tart and sweet) mixed berry flavours that makes for an expressive pink wine to sip this summer. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 1.6 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Quebec or $16.65 direct, Featherstone Pinot Grigio 2024 (Canada), $17.95 Rating: 88 Featherstone's new owners Rayla and George Myhal and founding winemaker David Johnson continue to offer a range of crowd-pleasing and affordable wines from their Vineland estate vineyard. This white wine carries a pinkish hue from extended skin contact prior to pressing the grapes (ripe pinot grigio grapes are grayish-blue in colour). The winemaking approach also brings peach, pear and citrus flavours into the mix, which add to the appeal of this easy-going, off-dry wine. This wine has 12.5 per cent ABV and 8 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available in Ontario. Malivoire Vivant Rosé 2024 (Canada), $21.95 Rating: 91 One of the trio of rosés made, each vintage at Malvoire, Vivant is produced from 100 per cent pinot noir grown on the Beamsville, Ont., estate vineyard. The dry and zesty style lives up to its name and presents an enticing mix of cherry, berry and ruby grapefruit flavours. It's serious and refreshing, which makes it a good option to enjoy with a meal or on its own. This has 13 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct, Meyer Family Vineyards McLean Creek Road Chardonnay 2023 (Canada), $32.26 Rating: 93 Chardonnay continues to be a strong suit for Meyer Family Vineyards as witnessed by the stylish and sophisticated wines produced in the 2023 vintage. Made from the vineyard planted in 1994 beside the winery in Okanagan Falls, the McLean Creek Road Chardonnay broadcasts juicy citrus flavours with bright acidity and rich oak-derived notes. Vibrant and exciting at this early stage of development, this promises to develop into a rich and rewarding white wine for patient collectors. This has 13.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available direct, Tantalus Reserve Chardonnay 2022 (Canada), $56.52 Rating: 94 Following the inaugural release from the 2018 vintage, this is the second release of a reserve chardonnay from Tantalus in Kelowna. Based on grapes from vines planted in 1985 and 2006, this presents a savoury, restrained character that is beautifully balanced and opens to reveal a mix of pear, citrus and green apple with flint and nutty accents. It's delicious now but built to last. This has 13.2 per cent ABV and 1 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2032. Available direct, Trius Showcase Wild Ferment Watching Tree Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 (Canada), $38 Rating: 93 Originally planted by the Oliveira family in 1989, the Watching Tree Vineyard in Beamsville has been a consistent source of top-quality chardonnay for Trius's Showcase label. The current release is developing nicely, with focused citrus and peach flavours rounded out by complex nutty, toasty and spice notes. Made in a medium-bodied style, with a succulent texture and refreshing finish, this offers richness and refinement. This has 13.8 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2029. Available at the above price in Ontario or $34 direct, Wending Home Estate Vineyard Chardonnay 2020 (Canada), $34.95 Rating: 92 Wending Home co-founder Ron Giesbrecht is one of Niagara's veteran winemakers, with a string of vintages dating back to the 1980s. Chardonnay has long been one of his specialties and this rich and refreshing example from the St. Catharines, Ont.-based winery is no exception. There's a ripe core of peach and pear that's enhanced by vanilla, nutty and buttery notes. The style is satisfying and round, with a a long lingering finish. This has 13.8 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct,
