Learning to become snobby about wine and beer? Just interested in some good recommendations so that you can buy local? This list has one recommendation from each of Ontario’s major wine-growing regions and three craft beer recommendations pulled from the 2024 Canadian Brewing Awards.

Wines 🍷

Ontario’s three main wine-growing regions share the same parallel (N 43 degrees latitude) as parts of Italy, France and Spain!

From the Niagara Peninsula, critics recommend Thirty Bench 2017 ‘Wild Cask’ Riesling. Riesling grapes are fermented with wild yeast to create an off-dry (ever slightly sweet) white wine with notes of pear, green apple, citrus and minerals.

From Prince Edward County, critics recommend Closson Chase Ridge Vineyard Pinot Gris. The region is famous for creating acidic and mineralic wines due to the limestone bedrock found in its soil. This red wine is complex, with a floral or vegetal aroma followed up by notes of stone fruits and wet stone.

From the Lake Erie Northshore, critics recommend CREW Meritage 2016. A blend of three grape varieties, this more traditional red has dark fruit and oaky notes that grow the longer it is stored or cellared.

Beers 🍺

Interested in choosing a craft beer without opting for the funkiest packaging? Start with the following three Ontario brews to experience a range of styles and tastes:

Pilsners are European-style lagers with a pale colour and strong hoppy flavour. Paniza Brewing won gold in this category with their Jupiter Pilsner, a clean and crisp beer with a golden finish. This drink is best paired with salty and smoky foods such as poutine, soft pretzels, or salmon.

In contrast, bocks are dark lagers with strong malty flavour and higher alcohol content. Oranje Son Brewing took gold in this category with their Niagara Eisbock: 11.6% ABV and “loaded with malt character”. 

Stouts are a dark variety of ale (originating from the UK) which are often malty, with notes of dark chocolate or coffee. In the category of dry stouts, Couchiching Craft Brewery took home gold with their Black River Stout. Traditional and “dark brown/chestnut in colour with velvety tan foam”, this dark chocolate-y drink pairs nicely with cheeses.

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