July 4, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Nothing But Chardonnay

Here are my top wine picks from the July 4, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). After the last release focused on wines not named Chardonnay, this release's feature story is titled "Nothing But Chardonnay" and is a Chardonnay wine lover's delight. Overall, this is a very good release with 99 products offered, and everything should be readily available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story that focuses on the noble Chardonnay grape varietal. Of the fourteen wines featured as part of the thematic, six wines are included among my top Chardonnay wine picks. These days, Chardonnays tend to be crafted using various methods ranging from fermentation in stainless steel to concrete to various barrel types, and almost always aged in one of these vessels. Looking at my Chardonnay recommendations, the wine by Rustenberg was wild fermented using indigenous yeast and raised entirely in stainless steel tanks, while the Australian Chardonnay was wild fermented and aged in French oak barriques. The Novellum was mostly vinified in tank with a small portion aged in barrel. The complex versions are the wines by Henry of Pelham, Stratus, and Planeta, which were all fermented and aged in barrel.

My top red wine picks from this release begins in Bordeaux with the excellent Pessac-Léognan that is crafted with 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, while the Fronsac is made with 100% Merlot. Staying in France, the Côtes du Roussillon-Villages is composed of Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, while the Régnié is from Beaujolais and crafted with Gamay. The rest of my remaining red wine picks are all mono-varietal wines, beginning with a pair of dynamite Pinot Noirs, one each from Prince Edward County in Ontario and Central Otago in New Zealand. From Italy, both Riserva Chianti Classico wines are made with 100% Sangiovese, while the Etna Rosso from Sicily is crafted with Nerello Mascalese.

There are a number of white wine recommendations outside of Chardonnay in this release, with the only blend coming from Costières de Nîmes in Rhône, and it is composed of 50% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 10% Marsanne, and 10% Viognier. From Greece, there is a fine Malagousia, as well as an Assyrtiko. There is also a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, followed by a Verdicchio from Marche. And lastly, there is a Picpoul from Midi, a varietal we don't see too often in our market.

Among my rosé wine picks, the only mono-varietal rosé is a Pinot Noir from New Zealand, while the rest are all blends. The dry rosé from Provence is composed of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, while the rosé from Abruzzo is a 70/30 blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano. The last rosé is a blend of Castelão and Cabernet Sauvignon from Portugal.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LUIS GURPEGUI 147 ANIVERSARIO TEMPRANILLO 2021 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#37088) (XD) - $15.95
• GREEK WINE CELLARS FLOWERS XINOMAVRO 2023 - PGI Macedonia, Greece (#49583) (XD) - $17.95
• GÉRARD BERTRAND HERITAGE AN 1886 LES ASPRES GRENACHE/ MOURVÈDRE/ SYRAH 2022 - AOP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France (#413245) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU MAYNE-VIEIL FRONSAC 2019 - Sustainable, AOC, Bordeaux, France (#14469) (XD) - $19.95
• HOSPICES DE BEAUJEU CUVÉE MARQUISE DE VAUDREUIL RÉGNIÉ 2023 - AOC, Beaujolais, France (#49860) (XD) - $23.95
• FIRRIATO LE SABBIE DELL'ETNA ROSSO 2021 - DOC Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy (#219592) (XD) - $26.95
• LORNANO LE BANDITE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#230672) (XD) - $29.95
• LOVEBLOCK PINOT NOIR 2022 - Sustainable, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#313924) (XD) - $29.95  92 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2022 - AOC, Bordeaux, France (#48823) (XD) - $39.95  review coming soon...
• FÈLSINA BERARDENGA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#32304) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• CLOSSON CHASE CHURCHSIDE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, Unfiltered, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#265074) (XD) - $55.00

White Wine:

• LE JADE PICPOUL DE PINET 2024 - AOP, Midi, France (#350124) (XD) - $17.95
• ZACHARIAS ASSYRTIKO 2024 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#588814) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• RUSTENBERG WILD FERMENT UNWOODED CHARDONNAY 2024 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#48202) (XD) - $18.95
• NOVELLUM CHARDONNAY 2024 - France (#390781) (XD) - $19.95
• FILODIVINO SERRA 46 VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO 2023 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#49371) (XD) - $19.95
• MAS DES BRESSADES TRADITION BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, AOP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#701094) (XD) - $20.95  88 pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA WAIRAU VALLEY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#536201) (XD) - $24.95
• SMALL WONDER LANDSCAPE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Tamar Valley, Tasmania, Australia (#50127) (XD) - $28.95
• DOMAINE COSTA LAZARIDI SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUSIA 2024 - Vegan, PGI Drama, Greece (#30609) (XD) - $32.95  91+ pts  wine review
• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#616466) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
• STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#267856) (XD) - $35.20
• PLANETA CHARDONNAY 2024 - DOC Sicilia Menfi, Italy (#485102) (XD) - $56.95

Rosé Wine:

• CASA SANTOS LIMA COLOSSAL RESERVA ROSÉ 2025 - Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (#50311) (XD) - $13.95  88+ pts  wine review
• S DE LA SABLETTE COTEAUX VAROIS-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#23757) (XD) - $17.95
• ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2025 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#43353) (XD) - $19.95
• TORRE ZAMBRA INCASTRO ROSA 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, IGT Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy (#50316) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review

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Gorghi Tondi Maremeo Sauvignon Blanc 2025 and Dumè Frappato 2025 (Sicily) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of lovely, organic wines from Sicily. Both made their first appearance at the LCBO this month, with the Frappato arriving as part of the feature on chilled red wines in the June 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, while the Sauvignon Blanc landed over the weekend in the June 20 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Tenuta Gorghi Tondi, a family-owned estate winery whose story begins with Dora Sala, the matriarch of the family and great-grandmother of sisters Annamaria and Clara Sala, who had a great love for nature, grapes, and the land. Dora was a strong, far-sighted, and innovative woman who was an inspiration to all the women in the family.

Situated in the extreme western part of the island of Sicily, Tenuta Gorghi Tondi was formally founded in 2000 by Michele, who had worked in the business for over forty years, and his wife, Doretta, who is the granddaughter of Dora. A few years later, their daughters, Annamaria and Clara, returned home from their careers and were surrounded by the family vineyards and wines, while facing a new challenge to build a future and bringing back the old dream of crafting premium wines in Sicily.

Today, Tenuta Gorghi Tondi is led by the two sisters, Annamaria and Clara, who carry on with the same determination and love for the land. The Sala family has always had a strong bond with their territory, especially the High, Medium, and Low "whirlpools" (the so-called "Gorghi") that are at the heart of an oasis, which is also the inspiration for the name of the winery - Gorghi Tondi, or Round Whirlpools. They have two properties within the Mazara del Vallo countryside, named Ramisella and San Nicola, and cover over 130 hectares of vines which overlook the horizon and are cradled by the sea breeze in Western Sicily. The winemaking philosophy at Gorghi Tondi is to produce high-quality organic and sustainable wines, in harmony with a unique and naturally gifted terroir.

As organic viticulture and sustainability are core values at Tenuta Gorghi Tondi, all the grapes are grown organically and certified since 2016, without the use of any synthetic chemicals. Emergency irrigation is practiced only if absolutely necessary to maintain the authentic aromas and flavours of the grapes. On the sustainability front, Gorghi Tondi uses clean energy to allow for sustainable development and to protect the ecosystem. In 2025, Gorghi Tondi achieved their VIVA and SOStain Sicilia certifications, which verifies their commitment to environmental performance, biodiversity protection, responsible water use, carbon footprint management, and sustainable vineyard practices.

First crafted in the 2021 vintage, the Maremeo is the Sicilian expression of Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes were grown at approximately 25 metres above sea level in southwestern Sicily, in the countryside area of Mazara del Vallo, province of Trapani, in Contrada San Nicola. It comes from younger vines planted in calcareous and sandy soil that daily breathes the coastal breezes. This wine is from Gorghi Tondi's "Wines of Good Cheer" line, which aims to capture the essence of summer and the vital joy of the Mediterranean Sea's foam.

The Frappato comes from the same Contrada as the Sauvignon Blanc and was first produced in the 2017 vintage. The Dumè represents a fascinating original in the winemaking history of Tenuta Gorghi Tondi as they decided to test themselves for the first time with the indigenous Frappato, one of eastern Sicily's oldest and famous grape varieties. In the Sicilian dialect, the name Dumè literally means "ours or in our way", and Dumè was created with the desire to interpret this historic grape through the unique lens of the Mazara del Vallo terroir. The label for this wine is a lively tribute to the island's art and culture, and is inspired by the iconic geometries and colours of Sicilian ceramics.

In 2025, the growing season in Sicily featured balanced climatic conditions, resulting in fresh, balanced wines of good quality, with coastal areas and those at higher altitudes particularly standing out. Let's see how this 2025 Sauvignon Blanc and 2025 Frappato from Sicily are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

GORGHI TONDI MAREMEO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#49062) (XD) - $19.95
The fresh, medium-high intensity nose offers a fine and intriguing mix of ripe lemon citrus and sea spray aromas nuanced with passion fruit, tropical fruit, peach, saline mineral, and grapefruit. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it is well-structured and lightly honeyed with spiced flavours ripe lemon, citrus, saline mineral, tropical fruit, and peach. It has juicy, well-balanced acidity, alongside a mineral textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Juicy, saline mineral and lemon notes taper to savoury on the long, textured finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

GORGHI TONDI DUMÈ FRAPPATO 2025 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#50571) (XD) - $22.95
100% Frappato. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is ripe and fruity with red berried aromas of black raspberry, cran-cherry, and strawberry joined by whiffs of smoky mineral and savoury earth. It's light-to-mid weighted on the dry palate with lovely spicy notes alongside black raspberry, strawberry, cran-cherry, and red plum flavours surrounding a core of savoury, stony minerals. It has fresh and vibrant acidity, along with slightly grippy textured tannins. The grippy mid-palate leads to raspberry and cherry notes that taper to savoury, stony mineral flavours on the long finish. Chill well for best enjoyment and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other fine & exciting wines by Gorghi Tondi can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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June 20, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Beyond Chardonnay + Rosés from Provence

Here are my top wine picks from the June 20, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). The theme of this large release is titled "Beyond Chardonnay", while the mini-thematic takes a very brief look at rosé wines from Provence. With 117 products, this is one of the largest releases of the year, which includes a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusives (OFE). Overall, it is a very good release, and all the wines should be readily available for purchase both online and in-store at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story that is titled "Beyond Chardonnay" on the cover of the magazine, while in our media documents it's listed as "Anything But Chardonnay." Regardless, the meaning is the same, offering some fine white wines crafted using varietals not-named Chardonnay. In all, there are twenty delicious alternative white wines, of which four are included among my top white wine picks. The only blend among the bunch is a Côtes du Rhône Blanc that is crafted using a blend of 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8 % Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, and 2% Grenache Blanc. There are a couple of Sauvignon Blanc wines, one by Hidden Bench in Niagara, and the other is by Eva Pemper in New Zealand. The last wine from the thematic is actually an Orange Wine (skin-fermented white) from Chile that is crafted with the Torontel varietal.

My top red wine picks from the main release begin in Tuscany with a Riserva Chianti Classico that is mainly Sangiovese with Canaiolo and Colorino in support. The 2021 Chianti Classico is crafted with 100% Sangiovese, while the 2022 Chianti Classico is a blend of mainly (92%) Sangiovese. From Spain, the 2015 Rioja is composed of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Mazuelo, and 10% Garnacha, while the 2019 Rioja is a blend of 95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, and 2% Garnacha. Also from Spain, the Priorat is crafted with 43% Garnacha, 21% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Cariñena. The only other blend is from Chile, and it is composed of 65% Carignan and 35% Carmenère.

All of my white wine recommendations from the main release are mono-varietal wines and, somewhat ironically, it begins with a top Chardonnay from Argentina. There are also a trio of Sauvignon Blanc wines, one each from Marlborough, South Africa, and Sicily. Unique wines in this release include a Pinot Grigio crafted using the Ramato method, an Albariño from Uruguay, and the native Antão Vaz from Portugal.

Among my top rosé wine picks from this release, one is from the mini-thematic featuring Rosés from Provence, and it is composed of 50% Grenache Noir, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Carignan, and 10% Syrah. There is a trio of local, dry rosés worth your attention, with the versions by Stratus and Queylus both crafted with 100% Cabernet Franc, while the rosé by Fielding is a blend of 60% Gamay and 40% Pinot Noir. The last rosé recommendation is from Spain, and it is a blend of Garnacha Tinta and Viura.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• GOMERSAL SHIRAZ 2022 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#49383) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• P.S. GARCIA MALA FAMA 2021 - Valle de Itata, Chile (#50282) (XD) - $19.95
• THE COLONIAL ESTATE EXPLORATEUR OLD VINE SHIRAZ 2023 - Barossa, South Australia (#50676) (XD) - $19.95
• ZUCCARDI MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS MALBEC 2024 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#49616) (XD) - $19.95
• CLOS DE TAFALL 2022 - DOQ Priorat, Spain (#574616) (XD) - $22.95
• LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#211599) (XD) - $23.95  91 pts  wine review
• CASTELLO DI QUERCETO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#680496) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review

• PLANETA PLUMBAGO NERO D'AVOLA 2022 - DOC Sicilia Menfi, Italy (#19491) (XD) - $24.95
• ESCUDERO SOLAR DE BECQUER RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#49819) (XD) - $27.95  91+ pts  wine review
• MONCHIERO LANGHE NEBBIOLO 2023 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#50758) (XD) - $27.95
• SEÑORÍO DE P. PECIÑA CRIANZA 2019 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#313726) (XD) - $30.95  OFE
• WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - 68th Vintage, Coonawarra, South Australia (#84996) (XD) - $44.95
• KEINT-HE GREER ROAD SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#51802) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• CASTELLO MONSANTO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#719864) (XD) - $58.95  OFE

White Wine:

• VIDIGUEIRA ANTÃO VAZ 2024 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#50928) (XD) - $16.95
• ATTEMS RAMATO PINOT GRIGIO 2025 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#111732) (XD) - $19.95
• EVA PEMPER SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#48078) (XD) - $19.95
• GORGHI TONDI MAREMEO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#49062) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• GARZÓN RESERVA ALBARIÑO 2025 - Uruguay (#646802) (XD) - $23.95  91+ pts  wine review
• E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2024 - AOC, France (#290296) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• MATURANA NARANJO TORONTEL ORANGE WINE 2024 - DO Valle del Maule, Chile (#556217) (XD) - $24.95
• SOUTHERN RIGHT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - WO Cape Coast, South Africa (#512277) (XD) - $24.95  OFE
• LOVEBLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#22851) (XD) - $24.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ROSOMEL VINEYARD FUMÉ BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68825) (XD) - $29.95
• CATENA ALTA HISTORIC ROWS CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#139964) (XD) - $39.95

Rosé Wine:

• MUGA ROSÉ 2025 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#603795) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• FIELDING ROSÉ 2025 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#53421) (XD) - $17.95
• CHÂTEAU PARADIS ESSENCIEL AIX-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#48978) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE QUEYLUS ROSÉ 2025 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#32902) (XD) - $24.95
• STRATUS CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, Estate Grown, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#43598) (XD) - $32.20

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Illuminati RipaRosso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2023 (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious red crafted with Montepulciano from Abruzzo. It is a brand new arrival at the LCBO that landed on shelves across the province in the recent June 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Illuminati Vini, one of Abruzzo's historic family wine estates that was established in 1890 by Nicola Illuminati. He founded his first winery in the commune of Ripatransone, on the border between Marche and Abruzzo, and called it "Fattoria Nicò".

While this was the beginning of the family's history in wine, their familial history and character goes back much further in time with their ancestor, Pacifico Illuminati. Furthermore, their ancient patronymic surname means "illuminated by faith", while their coat of arms is a crescent moon and candle. These ancient symbols signified wisdom, devotion, and resolve, and were discovered, almost by chance, by more recent generations among old relics whose provenance was lost in time. In the past, the people in the village referred to the family as "grastielle", or "those who unite". The members of the Illuminati family were considered wise people who people could always turn to during a conflict, and always brought people together around a table.

In 1960, Dino Illuminati, grandson of Nicola, left Ripatransone and moved to the south to Controguerra, in Abruzzo, by the Teramo hills, which had a microclimate tempered by the Adriatic Sea and was protected by the Gran Sasso mountain range. In an area called Zanna, Dino purchased a farmhouse and 5 hectares of land, which is still Illuminati Vini's headquarters today and is surrounded by 110 hectares of vineyards.

Today, the winery is led by brothers Stefano and Lorenzo Illuminati, and Stefano's son, Nicola, who represent the 4th and 5th generations of the family. The philosophy at Illuminati Vini is that wine isn't just a craft, but a way of working in symbiosis with the land, and an idea refined from father to son, from choice to choice. Each generation has received something and added something, and together, the team carries forward a method that was built over 150 years of experimentation, preserves tradition, and continues to evolve over time.

Illuminati Vini has several lines of wines, with each wine having its own story and born from an encounter between a unique terroir and the knowledge of five generations of winegrowers. This particular red wine is from their RipaRosso line, which recounts the many facets of the Controguerra Teramo Hills, including geography, memory, and natural elements that define the character of the wines and the land that produces them.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Montepulciano that was grown in vineyards situated within the communes of Controguerra, Corropoli, and Torano Nuovo. The vineyards are planted between 200 and 270 metres above sea level, on medium textured soil that tends toward clayey. It was vinified using a traditional red wine method with long maceration of the skins in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 28°C. It underwent malolactic fermentation in steel, and was then aged in 25 hectolitre Slavonian oak barrels for 6 months.

The 2023 vintage in Abruzzo was marked by sweeping changes to the DOC which took effect that year, as well as climatic challenges. Like much of the country, Abruzzo suffered through rain and overcast skies throughout spring, which caused downy mildew, and resulted in drastically reduced yields. Summer was arid and warm, which caused many vines to go into hydric stress and slowed the ripening process. At the time of harvest, the grapes displayed uneven ripeness levels, which meant that severe selection was necessary to identify healthy grapes. Let's see how this 2023 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ILLUMINATI RIPAROSSO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2023 - DOC, Italy (#269985) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap enclosure. Fragrant and open, the medium-high intensity nose has lifted, ripe and fruity aromas of black plum, black cherry, and spice notes layered over oak and grilled herbs in a slightly jammy profile. The weighty, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is dry and ripe with plenty of spice notes embedded with dark fruit, black cherry, black plum, currant, and herbal flavours, plus touches of smoky oak. Crisp acids are juicy and succulent, while the refined tannins have a slightly youthful grip. Spice and dark fruit characters lead to savoury, smoky oak notes on the long, well-structured finish. A food-friendly, recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Illuminati Vini can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Maison Fontan Tattoo Blanc 2024 (Southwest France) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng from Southwest France, that is a brand new arrival at the LCBO, landing in Ontario as part of last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on June 6th.

Like the delicious 2022 Maison Fontan Tattoo T&M Rouge I tasted in December, this white wine is produced by the historic and family-owned Maison Fontan, a wine estate located in the commune of Noulens, within the Gers department of southwestern France.

The story of the Fontan family began in 1907, when the first generation moved to Maubet Farm in Noulens, and practiced mixed farming. The farm was then given as a wedding gift to Ésilda and Maximen Fontan, the second generation of the family. In 1975, the husband and wife team of Jean-Claude and Aline Fontan, who represented the third generation of the family, began transforming the property into viticulture. Their passion for viticulture played a pivotal role by helping instigate the development of Côtes de Gascogne wines.

In 2001, the fourth generation of the family took over the reins as siblings Sylvain and Nadège Fontan, son and daughter, respectively, of Aline and Jean-Claude, began managing the 80 hectares of vineyards. Together, the siblings have continued to develop the estate, with Sylvain taking on the role of winemaking and cellar master, while Nadège handles marketing and sales.

Until 2021, the estate was known as Domaine de Maubet, at which point it was rebranded as Maison Fontan. The farmhouse in which their great-grandparents moved into is still central to the estate as it is a place where people live, come together and work. Nestled among vines, the traditional Gascon half-timbered building is also a place where the natural world is listened to and respected.

Today, with immense pride and unfailing courage, the Fontan siblings continue down the pathway forged by their great-grandparents. With passion and respect for their forebears and the natural environment that surrounds them, the family has always practiced sustainable winegrowing, while common sense is de rigueur. The winemaking philosophy at Fontan is based on respecting nature and the environment, along with the belief that if they nourish the soil to the right extent, and if they take care of it, it will give their vines the best grapes. From soil to glass, the family takes a thoughtful and thorough approach to every phase of production to deliver wines that are safe, well-controlled, and consistently high in quality.

This white wine is crafted using a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Gros Manseng that was grown on clay-limestone and boulbenne, a very fine, siliceous, and silty-sandy soil that is excellent terroir for white wine varieties. The grapes were machine-harvested and placed into vats to undergo 8 to 12 hours of maceration with the skins, then pressed using a pneumatic press. In order to separate the juice from the solids, it was stored at 8°C for 5 days, then underwent alcoholic fermentation at 18°C for 12 to 18 days. The wines are then filtered, assembled, and stabilized, and kept in vats at 8°C until they are bottled and released, which takes place all year round.

The growing season in 2024 in the French wine region of Southwest was, like much of the country, a difficult one with challenging weather conditions. Coulure, millerandage, mildew, frost, and hail resulted in reduced yields, which followed a poor harvest in 2023. Let's see how this 2024 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng from Côtes de Gascogne in Southwest France is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MAISON FONTAN TATTOO BLANC 2024 - IGP Côtes de Gascogne, Southwest, France (#48562) (D) - $19.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Gros Manseng has a delicate, medium+ intensity nose that is ripe and sweet fruited with candied lemon, pear, apricot, floral, and tropical fruit aromas. On the medium-full bodied palate it is rich and flavourful with delicious ripe, candied lemon, citrus, apricot, tropical fruit, and pear flavours in a zesty, slightly off-dry (i.e. sweet) profile. Acids are juicy and well-balanced, while the candied lemon, citrus, pear, and tropical fruit notes taper savoury notes on a slightly sticky finish, with very good length. A quality wine that will be a crowd pleaser. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Their Tattoo Rouge is available on clearance at the LCBO, while the full range of Maison Fontan wines can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

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Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Brut Sparkling 2018 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's sparkling wine review is a beautiful bubbly that was locally crafted in Niagara using the traditional method. It returned to the LCBO in last weekend's June 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Jackson-Triggs, one of Canada's most recognizable wine brands. It was established as a wine brand in 1993 by Allan Jackson and Donald Triggs under their company Vincor. By 2001, the estate in Niagara-on-the-Lake was opened, and it became a flagship centre for premium VQA wine production. From the start, the Jackson-Triggs estate in Niagara was designed from the start to produce premium VQA wines, and is noted for its gravity-flow production facility, sustainable architectural design, and visitor experience centred around wine tourism.

Jackson-Triggs was one of the first Canadian wine brands to achieve national distribution, and by the early 2000s it had become one of Canada's largest wine labels. Jackson-Triggs helped introduce many Canadians (including myself) to VQA wines and supported the growth of the Niagara wine industry. In 2006, Vincor and all its brands, including Jackson-Triggs, were acquired by Constellation Brands, who managed it for a decade until the Canadian division was sold to the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.

Today, Jackson-Triggs is owned by Arterra Wines Canada. The estate in Niagara-on-the-Lake is planted with mostly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling vines, and also features an outdoor amphitheatre that hosts concerts throughout the warmer months. The modern wine estate of Jackson-Triggs is considered to be one of the landmark winery buildings in Canada as the 45,000 square foot facility combines both production and hospitality under one roof.

The estate winemaker at Jackson-Triggs is Chris Holman, who was raised in Burlington, Ontario. His interest in agriculture was sown when he spent time on his grandparent's farm. Chris is a graduate of Winemaking and Viticulture programs at both Niagara College and Brock University and has held winemaking roles at a number of wineries in British Columbia and Australia. Chris also led the VQA sparkling and white winemaking programs for Arterra Wines Canada at Niagara Falls Cellars. In early 2024, Chris was appointed estate winemaker at Jackson-Triggs.

This lovely sparkling wine was crafted using a blend of 53% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier that was predominantly hand-harvested from their estate vineyard. Each varietal was whole-bunch pressed, clarified, and fermented separately. The base blend was carefully assembled to create an elegant and balanced wine. Secondary fermentation occurred in bottle with carefully selected yeast, and was aged on lees (sur lie) for five years.

In 2018, the growing season began with a cool spring, which delayed the start. In early May, the vines started taking off and made up for lost time, and enjoyed the ideal, hot and dry summer days from June to August. With above-average temperatures, the hot summer was perfect for grape development for all varieties. As harvest season approached, things got challenging as the weather shifted to high heat, humidity, and a bit of rain. Thin-skinned grapes and early-ripening varieties, such as those for this sparkling wine, were harvested at optimal quality thanks to ideal growing conditions throughout the summer. Let's see how this 2018 vintage traditional method sparkling wine from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT SPARKLING 2018 - Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#234161) (XD) - $34.95
Blend of 53% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier that was aged on its lees for 5 years. The medium-high intensity nose has a slightly mature feel to it with elegant and complex aromas of poached apple/pear, toasty brioche, pastry, autolytic, lemon citrus, and yeasty minerals. It is mid-weighted and dry with lovely, tangy apple, pear, lemon citrus, toasty, brioche, and yeasty mineral flavours in a complex profile. It has small, very finely beaded bubbles, alongside crisp and fresh acidity. Apple, pear, and lemon notes give away to toasty, leesy minerals on the long, savoury finish. Enjoy on your next special occasion. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines by Jackson-Triggs can be found not only at the LCBO, but also at Great Estates, Wine Rack, and Arterra Wines Canada.

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Kir-Yianni Xinomavro Rosé 2025 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's rosé wine review is the latest vintage of a terrific, dry, and vegan-friendly rosé from Greece that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend in the June 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the well-respected Kir-Yianni, a family-run winery that was established by the late Yiannis Boutaris in 1997. Yiannis was from the renowned Boutaris winemaking family and one of the leading figures in the Greek wine industry right up until his passing in 2024.

Kir-Yianni was founded in Amyndeon of northern Greece and expanded soon thereafter into neighbouring Naoussa to the south, within the geographic region of Macedonia. In 1999, Stellios Boutaris, son of Yiannis, became Managing Director of Kir-Yianni, and represented the fifth generation of the Boutaris family of winemakers. Stellios was joined by his brother, Mihalis, a few years later and, together, the brothers undertook a project to take Kir-Yianni to the next level of viticulture and winemaking. They began by replanting their 28 hectares of vineyards with both Greek and international varieties, but most importantly, ensuring that each varietal was planted on the most appropriate vineyard parcel.

Today, the philosophy at Kir-Yianni is based upon ensuring a fine balance between the family's hundred-year-long tradition and the use of new and innovative winemaking techniques. By taking proper care in the vineyard, including the use of sustainable practices, strict grape selection, micro-vinifing, and blending meticulously, the team at Kir-Yianni aims to ensure typicity, ageing potential, and consistent wine quality from one vintage to the next. The end goal is to produce appealing wines that reflect the potential of the Greek vineyard and its indigenous varieties, while also protecting the environment by using integrated farming principles. One of their most ambitious initiatives is to achieve carbon neutrality, a lengthy process in which they have already achieved their first two major goals within 18 months in 2024.

While last year's 2024 Kir-Yianni Xinomavro Rosé was labelled as "Vieilles Vignes" (or Old Vines), this vintage bears the name "Terres de Sable" (or Sandy Lands). It is still crafted with 100% Xinomavro that was sourced from the PGI Macedonia viticultural zone of northern Greece. The grapes were carefully selected from 40 to 60-year-old vines, from vineyards chosen for their soil, vine health, and capacity to reach full maturity. In the wider region of Macedonia, the climate experiences significant diurnal temperatures between day and night, and the variety in morphology creates excellent conditions for viticulture.

To craft this dry rosé, the grapes were rigorously sorted on a conveyor belt and direct pressed. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 17–19°C. The wine stayed in contact with its fine lees for 3 months, with occasional bâtonnage (mild stirring).

The 2025 growing season in northern Greece was a very good-to-standout vintage, something that appears to happen in every odd-numbered vintage. While the last two harvests were marked by major challenges due to extreme weather events, 2025 was a return to relative normality, with generally typical conditions and no extreme weather phenomena. June and July were hot and dry. However, the diurnal temperature drop of 10°C at night helped preserve acidity. Cold and rainy conditions at the appropriate time, along with daytime heat and cold nights ensured that the grapes developed full aromatics and phenolic ripeness. Let's see how this 2025 Xinomavro Rosé from northern Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KIR-YIANNI XINOMAVRO ROSÉ 2025 - Vegan, PGI Macedonia, Greece (#39595) (XD) - $19.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap and pours a very pale copper-salmon colour. Lovely, fresh, medium-high to highly aromatic nose is intense and complex with spice, red berry, grapefruit, citrus, white peach, and mineral aromas accented with strawberry, raspberry, and dried herbs. The mid-weighted palate is dry and slightly honeyed with delicious grapefruit, citrus, red berry, white peach, and dried spice flavours. It is well-structured with fresh and zesty acidity. Well-balanced throughout with grapefruit, red berry, spice, and white peach notes tapering to leesy minerals on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Many wines by Kir-Yianni are available at the LCBO, and can also be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

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