Throughout the summer, there’s rosé in the fridge. It’s a wine to grab whenever the mood strikes or company comes calling. Most days its source of origin isn’t a concern; it’s more important to be sufficiently chilled to highlight its dry, crisp and savoury character.
But in preparation for the July long weekend, location matters. Canada Day celebrations are an opportunity to enjoy domestic wines and there’s no shortage of quality selections.
My shortlist includes many Ontario wineries that take real pride in their rosé productions, as well as longstanding favourites from British Columbia. Two West Coast names of note, Meyer and Mayhem, released new rosés that are worth seeking out.
Should you not share my enjoyment of rosé, there are other tasty Canadian wines singled out. Stylish aromatic white wines, complex red wines and two intriguing, thirst-quenching selections are offered up as crowd-pleasing bottles that are well suited to toasting the country’s birthday and lazy days of summer.
Bartier Bros. Riesling 2022 (Canada), $22.99
A new addition to the Bartier portfolio, this riesling comes from a vineyard in the Thompson River Valley in B.C. The style is vibrant and refreshing, with brisk green apple and lime flavours and nicely balanced sweetness and acidity. The high acidity and texture suggest this will mature gracefully. 12.8 g/litre residual sweetness, 10.8 per cent alcohol. Drink now to 2030. Available direct, bartierbros.com.
Benjamin Bridge Pink Piquette Rosé 2022 (Canada), $16.95
Don’t read too much into the score. This isn’t a wine crafted to convey a sense of place or command your attention. It’s not actually a wine. It’s a pale pink-coloured alcoholic beverage that’s 5.4 per cent alcohol, made with grape must, sea salt, rose hips and elderflower by Benjamin Bridge in Nova Scotia. The label calls it a “wine refresher.” It displays prominent muscat grape notes, suggesting perfumed floral, apricot and peach notes, as part of its fresh and fruity character. The style makes it a fun and tasty bottle to have on hand for summer entertaining. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $15 direct, benjaminbridge.com, $19.19 in New Brunswick, $17.20 in Nova Scotia.
Domaine Queylus Tradition Pinot Noir 2021 (Canada), $35.70
Tradition is the entry-level label at Niagara’s Queylus, which has a strong focus on chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet franc and merlot. This 2021 pinot noir conveys a complex earthy and savoury style, with maturing beetroot, cherry and violet flavours. This is light and delicate in nature, featuring chalky tannins and a bright, persistent finish. Drink now to 2026. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta, $36.25 in Quebec, $35.50 direct (2020 vintage), queylus.com.
Flat Rock Riesling 2022 (Canada), $19.95
The 20th vintage of Flat Rock riesling delivers an enjoyably pure and citrusy expression the grape. A mix of floral and ruby grapefruit aromas make a nice first impression, while the medium-bodied wine shows appealing lime, lemon and honeyed flavours as part of its balanced and persistent character. Drink now to 2032. 19 g/litre residual sweetness, 11 per cent alcohol. Available at the above price in Ontario, $20.15 direct, flatrockcellars.com, various prices in Alberta.
Henry of Pelham Baco Noir 2023 (Canada), $16.95
Henry of Pelham has been producing deeply coloured, full-bodied and rounded red wines from the unassuming baco noir grape since its first vintage in 1988. The newly released 2023 edition maintains the house style, with a rich core of syrupy fruit enhanced by pepper and coffee bean notes. The finish features tart red fruit and peppercorn flavours that linger, which help the barbecue-friendly appeal of this mouth-filling red wine. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct, henryofpelham.com, various prices in Alberta, $19.99 in Saskatchewan, $17.99 in Manitoba ($15.99 until June 30), $17.15 in Quebec, $26.96 in Nova Scotia, $22.03 in Newfoundland.
Hillside Heritage Series Muscat Ottonel 2022 (Canada), $25.99
Muscat ottonel was the first grape variety planted in the Hillside vineyard in Naramata, B.C., in 1984. The grapes are responsible for this fresh and fragrant white wine that offers appealing floral, spicy and fruity aromas and flavours. The youthful, off-dry style is an easy-to-appreciate summer sipper. Drink now. Available at the above price in British Columbia ($22.97 until June 29), $26 direct, hillsidewinery.ca.
Mayhem Rosé 2023 (Canada), $21.83
For the 2023 vintage, Mayhem shifted from a merlot-based rosé to this bright and inviting pink wine made with a blend of zweigelt, merlot, pinotage and malbec from the Pheasant Run Vineyard in the south Okanagan. The sockeye salmon colour sets you up for a different style of rosé, with ruby grapefruit, red currant, sagebrush flavours that carry through to a mouthwatering finish. This is dry and distinctive, ideal as an aperitif or a dinner companion. Drink now. Available direct, mayhemwines.com, various prices in Alberta.
Meyer Rosé 2023 (Canada), $20.96
This ripe and flavourful rosé is produced with pinot noir from three different vineyards in the Okanagan Valley. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks and older oak barrels contributes to the refreshing nature of this deep pink-coloured wine, which helps to balance the plush texture and juicy cherry/berry fruit flavours. Drink now to 2026. Available direct, mfvwines.com.
Narrative XC Method Sparkling 2022 (Canada), $26
Bottled with a screw cap, this tank-fermented sparkling wine is made with auxerrois and chardonnay grapes grown in Naramata in the Okanagan Valley. The dry and zesty style offers a satisfying mix of pink grapefruit and tropical fruit flavours that make this a terrific brunch, picnic or aperitif selection. Drink now. Available direct at the above price, okanagancrushpad.com, various prices in British Columbia and Alberta.