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Though I am not much of a wine expert. I know coming from British Columbia that I could go to any small winery all over Vancouver Island and get some really amazing red or white wine. A lot of these wineries don’t sell outside of B.C., or the Island for that matter, so its all local. You can’t get it anywhere else. That is the best wine in my opinion. Can’t get that in your general liquor store.

hello everyone. Hi. This is done from Opera. 10 minutes – better type fast.

I recall from 12 years ago that certain wineries such as Chateau des Charmes were making very good Chardonnays. Surley now, there must be more wineries producing good wines.

There are tons of good Ontario wines (and more crap … true everywhere), you just need to know where to look and what to look for.

First off: think about our climate. What other climates like ours grow good, world famous wine? California? Wrong. Southern France? Wrong again. However, our climate is alot like Western Germany and Alsace. So, look first for the wines that do well in those regions (Gewürztraminer, Riesling , etc) and you’ll find some good stuff.

The Jackson Triggs black label Gewürztraminer is great at about $12 or $14 bucks … and cheaper than similar quality from Alsace. The Malivoire Gewürztraminer is amazing, but pricier.

The next thing to look for is small Ontario producers that put care and love into their wine. My fave is Malavoire, but there are more. These folks are pushing the edges of what our climate can do with good light reds such as Pinot Noir (expensive, but so is all good pinot noir) and Gamay.

A useful source of ideas on Ontario wine (and generally navigating the treasures of the LCBO) is Billy’s Best Bottles (http://www.billysbestbottles.com/). It’s the most useful and unconventional wine guide you’ll ever buy.

Of course, if you are looking for big, loud cabs and shirazes (which I love), don’t look to Ontario. We don’t have the heat. For that, try South Africa, which is still one of the best bargains around if you know what to look for.

PS. For folks in Toronto, I’d be happy to do a ‘let’s taste some good Ontario wine’ tasting at home or somewhere like Fat Cat Wine Bar on Roncy.

Well said, msurman. I think Ontario Rieslings are pretty fine, and knowing that the wine hasn’t had to travel for weeks in a container ship means it’s fresher, too. In fact, I love visiting the wineries around Jordan village (Cave Spring, Fielding, Vineland Estates, Henry of Pelham, Flat Rock, Stratus) and though the wines aren’t bargains, I’m happy to be supporting local agriculture.

Doubters might want to check out an upcoming event. Somewhereness (www.somewhereness.com) is taking place on April 22 at Coupe Space (998 Queen St. E.) from 6:30-9:30. Five Ontario producers (Flat Rock Cellars, Malivoire, Norman Hardie, Stratus and Tawse) will be presenting their wines to demonstrate the uniqueness of Ontario’s “terroir”. Tickets are $75.

There is Sante (http://www.santewinefestival.net/) from May 5-10 but it’s hit and miss. Of all the Canadian wineries participating, only Strewn has any decent wine, in my opinion, and they’re just reliable, not necessarily excellent.

I’d take a weekend and base yourself in the village of Jordan. My favourites are Vineland, Henry of Pelham, Cave Spring, Fielding Estates, Flat Rock and Stratus.