Michael and André catch up on everything happening in Ontario wine right now — starting with an on-the-record correction: Michael does not hate Chardonnay (an amphora-aged Volta Chardonnay proved it). From there, the guys cover:
- Flat Rock’s annual tasting – barrel samples from the promising 2025 vintage, and how far Ontario Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc have come since 2010
- Rosé report preview – André’s tasting through 200+ rosés and sparkling wines for this year’s report, plus a tangent into sangria season
- Judging the Experts Tasting – Michael’s first time on the panel, the surprising sommelier-vs-winemaker splits on which Chardonnays advanced, and a memorable library tasting of aged Canadian wines (Creekside Lost Barrel, Quail’s Gate, 16 Mile Rebel Pinot)
- Competition season wrap-up – results from the All-Canadian Wine Championship (including a surprise Sauvignon Blanc ice wine winner) and a pointed critique of the Ontario Wine Awards’ medal inflation — 92% of entries took home a medal this year
- Port talk – Kopke and Ramos Pinto tawny/LBV tastings, plus a port reduction recipe for braised lamb
- Whiskey corner – a first taste of John Sleeman & Sons’ new Copper Pot Irish-style whiskey, and more Nikka appreciation
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You can email André at andre@andrewinereview.ca and follow him on Instagram here – @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at michael@michaelpinkuswinereview.com and follow him on Instagram here – @thegrapeguy
