Eight Canadian wines to enjoy now, including youthful whites from Niagara’s 2025 vintage

Wineries in Niagara are currently experiencing a surge in sales, leading producers to fast-track the release of white wines made last fall. Homegrown wine sales have increased owing to an expansion in grocery store shelf space and the removal of U.S. products from liquor stores.

The approachable style and affordable prices of pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc from Niagara have proven to be particularly popular, prompting Henry of Pelham and Peninsula Ridge to release some of their refreshingly fruity wines from 2025 mere months after harvest.

It is surprising to see releases from Niagara’s 2025 vintage this quickly. Fortunately, the wines do not suffer from this expedited process and the grapes ripened effectively thanks to hot and dry summer conditions.

Nine bottles to make the most of February – and look ahead to warmer days

There is no advantage to prolonging aging for wines that are best enjoyed for their fresh and fruity character. After fermenting in stainless-steel tanks, bottling is the optimal method for preserving the wine’s vibrant and intense flavours.

The three young whites recommended today foreshadow promising things to come from the 2025 vintage in Ontario, while a selection of five older releases offer complex characters that are just as thrilling.

Blasted Church Small Blessings Petit Verdot Syrah 2023 (Canada), $40

Rating: 90

Small Blessings is a unique Okanagan blend of petit verdot grown in Osoyoos and syrah from the Skaha Bench. It was fermented and aged in a clay amphora before further aging in an old French barrel for 16 months. The finished wine is an aromatic and complex red with a distinctive fruity, cured meat and coffee flavour profile. The Small Blessings portfolio is produced for wine club members. This has 14 per cent ABV and 1 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available direct, blastedchurch.com.

Haywire Lunar Red 2022 (Canada), $28.88

Rating: 88

Haywire has been producing a limited-edition Lunar New Year label since 2014. The latest release for the Year of the Fire Horse is a merlot-based blend with a satisfying core of fruit (flavours such as plum, red berry and cherry) that’s enhanced by notes of spice, tobacco and cedar. This plush and savoury style makes it a wine best enjoyed with a meal. The winemaking team recommends pairing it with fried dumplings, honey-glazed spare ribs or Peking duck. This has 13.5 per cent ABV. Drink now. Available direct, okanagancrushpad.com.

Henry of Pelham Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (Canada), $16.95

Rating: 89

This bright and youthful white wine offers a pleasing mix of grapefruit and melon flavours with some floral notes adding interest to the aroma. Distinctively sauvignon blanc on the nose and palate, it provides balanced refreshment without being powering. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 4 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario or $14.95 direct, henryofpelham.com, various prices in Alberta, $17.99 in Manitoba, $17.55 in Quebec, $19.98 in Newfoundland.

Peninsula Ridge Pinot Grigio 2025 (Canada), $16.95

Rating: 87

Crafted in an approachable style, this simple yet effective pinot grigio presents charming fresh pear and baked apple flavours complemented by zesty citrus notes for balance. The finish is a little flat, but there’s enough character here to recommend it. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 5 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario or $15 direct, peninsularidge.com.

Peninsula Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (Canada), $17.95

Rating: 88

Peninsula Ridge has been a long-time supporter of sauvignon blanc in Niagara, identifying vineyard sites where the cold-sensitive vines can withstand winter’s harsh conditions. The new release is made crafted in a friendly style, showcasing a ripe and smooth character with notes of Meyer lemon, passion fruit and melon. Its rounded profile contributes to a crowd-pleasing style, straying from the usual zesty intensity often found in other wines at this price point. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario or $15.89 direct, peninsularidge.com.

Pétales d’Osoyoos 2022 (Canada), $37.99

Rating: 90

Produced by Osoyoos Larose, Pétales d’Osoyoos is made to be expressive and enjoyable upon release. It is the red wine meant to be enjoyed while waiting for the same vintage’s flagship label, known as Le Grand Vin, to mature. The 2022 vintage presents a nicely structured and layered wine, featuring dark fruit, spice and cedar notes that are best enjoyed after decanting. This has 14.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available at the above price in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $40.99 in Manitoba.

Thirty Bench Triangle Riesling 2021 (Canada), $28.95

Rating: 93

Thirty Bench continues to produce riesling from vines planted between 1980 and 1984 in various blocks. These parcels are identified by defining features, such as Wood Post or Steel Post, which denote the material used to anchor the trellis system. The Triangle block is named for the shape of the planting at the end of the property on the Beamsville Bench, which produces a light and fruity expressions of riesling like this one. Expect an appealing mix of sweet and sour fruit flavours with well-balanced acid and sweetness. To my taste, this wine is ready to drink, but will continue to gain honeyed complexity with more bottle age. This has 11.3 per cent ABV and 18 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2029. Available in Ontario.

Two Sisters Eleventh Post 2020 (Canada) $48

Rating: 92

Eleventh Post is the proprietary red blend from Two Sisters, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In 2020, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc were aged separately in a combination of French and American oak barrels, including large 3,000- and 5,000-litre vessels, for more than two years before being blended. The outcome is a sophisticated ripe and savoury wine that’s maturing nicely. It displays a rich core of dark fruit with hints of spice and smoke. This has 14.5 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2032. Available in Ontario.