New Year, New Wines

Robust & Savoury

Villa Calcinaia is located in the heart of Chianti Classico, near the village of Greve-in-Chianti. This Tuscan estate has been home to the Capponi family since 1524.

Calcinaia's Chianti Classico is very aromatic and savoury, with bright red fruit and hints of roses, violets and dried leaves. On the palate it is supple and dry, with round fruit flavours, refreshing acidity and well integrated tannins. 

Chianti wines pair excellently with fatty dishes and stands up to tomato sauce dishes, such as pizza and pasta! It also pairs terrifically with rich pieces of meat: from cured meat boards to the regional classic bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Floral & Salty

Cantina Barbera is located in Menfi, on the west coast of Sicily. The vineyards, that are farmed following organic and biodynamic practices, are about one mile from the Mediterranean Sea: an uncontaminated deep blue sea. The low cliffs and sandy dunes create a beautiful environment for the grapes to thrive, and are also protected by the Belice River Natural Reservation Fund.

Kalìo is a Sicilian word used to describe the buzzy noise of popcorn, the same noise that friends make when catching up at a party. The wine is made with laughs, talks, and funny jokes. This 100% Perricone is a lively ruby colour with violet shades. The nose is a playful blend of red berries and geranium flowers. The smooth tannins enrich a medium-bodied palate, where spicy notes of star anise and ginger stand out against a persistent saline background.

Kalìo pairs well with red meats, pasta dishes and cheeses, and it is a very interesting companion to spicy fish soups and grilled tuna fish.

Textured & Mineral

A collaboration between Nicholas Pearce and Will Predhomme to create wines from their favourite regions. This Chenin is made from old bush vines grown in decomposed granite/quartz on the Helderburg (Clear Mountain), in the southwestern-most corner of Stellenbosch.

Behold, Chenin Blanc! The most widely planted varietal in South Africa simply shines in this charming expression from Stellenbosch. Sourced from old vines and naturally fermented, expect elegant notes of white peach, lemon and tangerine with an underlying layer of crisp yellow apple. Bright and fresh on the palate, but with good depth and concentration, this wine is ready to drink now but will also cellar nicely for the next 2-3 years.

This Chenin Blanc pairs perfectly with all kinds of fresh seafood; and also with tartare. Smoked salmon or trout would also be delicious next to a glass of this old vines Chenin. Its rich texture makes it suitable to be paired with goat cheese, roast chicken and butternut squash.

Silky & Rich

Ca del Monte is situated on the hillsides overlooking the village of Negrar, in the heart of Valpolicella. This Ripasso shows a pure red-berry and black-cherry bouquet with notes of grilled herbs, iris, violet and almond. With a great depth of flavour, the wine is silky and warm with a surprisingly elegant mid-weight mouth feel that finishes with plump fruit and a well integrated spicy/oak kiss. 

Pair this rich wine with game meats, roast chicken, wood oven pizza and pasta with full flavoured sauces. ​It is also amazing when served with aged cheeses.

Bright & Juicy

At the very heart of the Rhône Valley, at the northerly tip of the Southern Rhône, lie the vineyards of Grignan-Les-Adhémar.

Le Devoy checks in as a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. It has terrific notes of forest floor, cracked pepper, flowers and darker berry fruits as well as medium-bodied richness, an elegant, supple texture and notable purity of fruit. This wine has considerable charm and appeal and makes for a great everyday bottle.

Pair this wine with just about anything!

Earthy & Floral

Situated in a very fresh zone of Languedoc, in Argelliers and Murles, Mas des Agrunelles cultivate organic and biodynamic vines. The estate was founded by Frédéric Porro and his wife, Stéphanie Ponson, who met in 1999 while studying oenology in Montpellier. It all began with experimentation, trial and error- but they quickly moved from organic vines to a fully functioning biodynamique vineyard and winery. They are proud to produce natural wines of high quality.

L'Indigene is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. On the nose it is fleshy with notes of ripe dark berries and briar patch. There is a distinct meatiness that makes you think of salami with garrigue herbs and cracked pepper. On the palate, it is full bodied, textured and robust, with solid acidity and smooth tannins. Fruit notes of blackberry, raspberry and black cherry are concentrated and juicy without being over-ripe. The earthy notes from the nose continue and blend with the savoury notes of lavender, rosemary and white pepper. 

Go bold with rich flavour and hearty protein. A venison or elk steak with red wine sauce, or rustic lamb ragú.

Rich & Elegant

Château Tour de Gilet is located in Ludon Médoc, 16 km north of Bordeaux in the Médoc area. The Château was built on the foundation of an ancient abbey from the 12th century. Lots of little streams, called Jalles, cross the vineyard to drain the soil and to improve the quality.

A unique Bordeaux wine in that it is largely dominated by Petit Verdot (70%, with Cabernet Sauvignon in addition). The nose is intense and elegant, rich in fruit and sweet spices, completed with pastry and floral nuances. The palate is supple, generous and round, supported by fine and silky tannins and well integrated oak.

This bold wine will go very well with roasted meats. Thinking of some delicious burgers with blue cheese...

Juicy & Earthy

Husband and wife duo Ilya and Nadia started Leaning Post winery in Niagara over 10 years ago. Initially a virtual set up, the winery now located on Highway 8, has become a reference producer in Niagara.

The depth of this wine was structured by the warm summer and wet autumn. This wine stays true to the Leaning Post style and terroir of Armbrust Vineyard, it demonstrates lots of earth, mushroom  on the nose which is complimented by blackberry and cherry fruit with some beautiful freshly picked lavender. In the mouth there is lots of beautiful beet, blackberry, kirsch, and cracked pepper. The finish is long and delectable.

Try with brie, camembert, your favourite burger, or anything on your plate this Thanksgiving.

Zesty & Mineral

Keint-He Winery & Vineyards is a boutique winery located in Prince Edward County. The winery has a strong focus on varietals that are typically grown in Burgundy, specifically Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; through which they truly express the best of the County with wonderful individual expressions. Keint-He’s approach to winemaking is as down-to-earth as it gets and their quality is second to none.

This Chardonnay is made from fruit grown in the Wismer Vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula. The nose exhibits wet stone and minerality. The mouth is clean, fresh and shows a rounded minerality. Evidence of a well integrated 10 months in French Oak

Zesty & Mineral

Gilvesy winery is located in the outskirts of Lake Balaton, near an ancient dormant volcano, in Hungary. Hungarian expat Robert Gilvesy moved back to his homeland from Canada to start this exciting project involving native grape varieties and volcanic soils.

This blend is light and fresh. On the nose, it's all about hints of mint, lemon and fresh cucumber, while on the palate it's zesty, with notes of green apple and citrus fruit.

It's delicious when paired with summer meals: fresh salads dressed with dried fruits such as cranberries and walnuts, grilled fish with potatoes and zesty ceviches.

Juicy & Spiced

Keint-He Winery & Vineyards is a boutique winery located in Prince Edward County. The winery has a strong focus on varietals that are typically grown in Burgundy, specifically Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; through which they truly express the best of the County with wonderful individual expressions. Keint-He’s approach to winemaking is as down-to-earth as it gets and their quality is second to none.

Strawberry, raspberry and red cherry aromas lead the way on the nose, with hints of sweet spice and tomato leaf in the background. Freshly crushed ripe berries continue on the palate, with dried leaf, minerality and spice in the background. The mouthfeel is lean and silky smooth, with very fine tannin and great County acidity.

This Pinot Noir is a very versatile wine given it’s acidity and low tannin. Pinot Noir pairs particularly well with duck, chicken, pork, and mushrooms.

Creamy & Fresh

3XP (Trois-X-P) - Pearce | Predhomme | Pender - is a small-production Niagara Peninsula Chardonnay collaboration between négociants Nicholas Pearce & Will Predhomme with vigneron Paul Pender. 3000 bottles & 150 magnums made. This wild ferment Chardonnay is 100% certified organic & biodynamic and is produced with minimal intervention & élevage.

We strive to show the delicacy, tension, & purity of expression of Ontario-grown Chardonnay with this small-production collaboration.  Brilliant straw colour, youthful, light-intensity aromas of white peach, green apple, citrus, with delicate integrated subtle lees. Bright lemony acidity on the palate, round mouthfeel, & refreshing. A clean, fresh, & distinctly Ontarian-style Chardonnay.

Ideas for pairing 3XP? This rich Chardonnay calls for all shades of seafood and fish: spaghetti with clams and tons of parsley, halibut, crab cakes... or even pork tenderloin! It's also wonderful as an apéro wine.

Fresh & Fruity

Located in the town of Pilio, about thirty miles east of Rome, Abbia Nova is a brand-new artisanal winery by cousins Daniele and Pierluca Proietti. The name 'Abbia Nova' refers to an ancient Roman road linking the town of Piglio, in the southwestern part of the region, with Abruzzo.

Listening to our producers' stories about the uniqueness of certain grapes make our hearts beat faster. Abbia Nova is one of those wineries. Their Senza Vandalismi Bianco is made from Passerina, an ancient and traditional grape of the Marche region but also cultivated in the Lazio. 

Leaning on the refreshing side of oxidation, the 2020 vintage is surprisingly clean and clear pale straw in the glass. On the nose, this young wine boasts intense evolution, leading with apple and pear compote, lemon lime cordial, macadamia nuts and salted almonds. It's full but fresh on the palate, rich with tension and backed by a beautifully balanced acidity. 

Rich & Silky

Husband and wife duo Ilya and Nadia started Leaning Post winery in Niagara over 10 years ago. Initially a virtual set up, the winery now located on Highway 8, has become a reference producer in Niagara.

Blend Two is the second vintage of Leaning Post's flagship red blend. They do not produce this wine every year, but 2018 was a surprisingly ripe vintage, and the resulting wines demanded a new assemblage! This wine practically jumps out of the glass, with a big nose of blackberry, mulberry, fig, graphite and white pepper. A full, rich and silky palate shows raspberry, blueberry and plum, with leather, cocoa, nutmeg and smoked fennel-sausage providing a complex and intriguing background. The firm tannic frame is held together by balanced acidity making this a wine you can cellar for a decade or more.

If you wish to open the wine on release, make sure to decant for at least two hours! Drink it with short-ribs, herb-crusted lamb or other game-meats. Cheers!

Floral & Textured

Born from a partnership that started on Lighthall Road between Vigneron Glenn Symons & Négociant Nicholas Pearce, the 'First Contact - Skin Fermented White' was created during the 2019 harvest. Vidal and Sauvignon Blanc (50/50ish) were sourced from the infamous Wismer Vineyard, in Niagara's Twenty Mile Bench. 

Deep straw gold in colour with punchy aromatics of fresh fermentation; green tea, Meyer lemon, tangerine, hops, olive brine & salted almonds. Truly energetic and fresh with notes reminiscent of a delicious Weiss Beer. On the palate, it has a great tannic structure, lovely acidity and beautiful balance.

We have been having fun pairing it with a variety of vegetables and meats using Middle Eastern, North African & Mediterranean inspired spices and techniques. Or even just a bowl of marinated olives, to keep it simple.

The label features artwork by Lilja Schaer, an up and coming local artist based in Toronto's Eastside Leslieville. Lilja draws her inspiration from the natural environment that surrounds her. She is also influenced by her Estonian-Canadian heritage. Lilja also happens to be Nick's 7 year old niece.