Christopher Waters

Festive packs of spirits and wines to celebrate the season These drinks-themed advent calendars add to the merriment of the season

The popularity of drinks-themed advent calendars continues to grow, as festive packs of wine, spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails add to the merriment of the season.

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A revolutionary spirit continues to drive winemaker Penfolds forward Critics have questioned Peter Gago’s embrace of unconventional blending practices, but flying in the face of adversity comes with the top job

Chief winemaker Peter Gago not only carries on the research, experimentation and wine development that define Penfolds’ legacy, but also serves as the company’s public face.

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Nine comforting wine options to drink in November Bring on the chilly air with several choices that can be enjoyed right away

A cold, wet fall night begs for comfort, which can come in the form of thick knit socks or something substantial and warming for dinner accompanied by a rich and complex wine to sip on. There are some solid examples recommended in this week’s column.

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Rising temperatures in Bordeaux usher in a golden age for cabernet sauvignon Grape growers are changing their approaches to adapt to the warming climate

The changing climate in Bordeaux has led the industry to welcome new grape varieties to maintain quality winemaking in the future, but Château Mouton Rothschild and other properties in Pauillac welcome “the golden age of cabernet sauvignon.”
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A limited-edition Canadian whisky with a taste of luxury Japanese Mizunara oak casks add to the flavour of this J.P. Wiser’s bottle – and the price

A limited-edition bottle from J.P. Wiser’s marks another milestone for Canadian whisky. A 27-year-old whisky finished in Japanese Mizunara oak casks was introduced by the Hiram Walker & Sons distillery in Windsor this month and retails for $599.95 per bottle.

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Eight exciting wines that announce the onset of the festive season This week’s picks include wines with established reputations, such as Torres Salmos, as well as some emerging labels

The festive onslaught seems premature this year, with an early start for Hallmark holiday programming and surprise sightings of seasonal gift packs in liquor stores this week. Ready or not, the countdown is on.

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We know wines from Argentina can be great, but will they age? A tasting in Toronto shows the aging potential of Argentina’s chardonnays, malbecs and cabernet-based wines

Laura Catena travels the world to pour the latest releases of stylish chardonnays and robust reds from her family’s winery in Mendoza. She landed in Toronto with a different agenda this week: to show how those wines mature in the bottle.

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California accounts for 78.5% of U.S. wine production, followed by New York (4.2%), Washington (4.0%), and Oregon (2.8%). Behind that are many surprises (e.g., Kentucky #5, New Jersey #8).

With Loveblock, Erica and Kim Crawford seek to revolutionize New Zealand wine The couple’s natural wine venture is rooted on a rugged piece of land in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley

While Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc continues to represent New Zealand wine around the world with telltale zesty and jubilant flavours, the couple behind that runaway success have shifted their focus toward more sustainable and refined wines from Marlborough.

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Elbows up, thumbs down: Why we’re blowing a generational moment for Canadian culture We’re checking the origins of our groceries, but where’s the love for the sector that truly defines who we are?

The Arts team @theglobeandmail.com worked on this fantastic #culture #Canada #culture package. 1/3
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A toast to wine’s ability to inspire social and family celebrations Wine Growers Canada gets behind Come Over October campaign to promote togetherness – and wine, of course

Canadian winemakers have joined forces with Come Over October, a community-driven movement that asks consumers to meet and share a glass of wine with someone this month. The campaign is expanding across Canada with the support of Wine Growers Canada.

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Between 2021 and 2023, U.S. per capita table wine consumption fell by 0.55 liters. However, the decline shows significant regional disparities. For instance, Florida’s consumption (-1.00 liter) decreased much more than New York’s (-0.21 liter).

No Safe level? Little scientific support.

JOURNAL OF WINE ECONOMICS, 2025, 20(3), forthcoming
“How Much Is Too Much? A Methodological Investigation of the Literature on Alcohol Consumption and Health”
by Stefano Castriota, Paolo Frumento, and Francesco Suppressa
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Nine satisfying wines for cheerful fall entertaining Texture becomes integral to wine appreciation as the days and nights become cooler

The thirst-quenching wines that helped beat the summer’s heat don’t satiate the same way in October. The changing season calls for multidimensional wines with richer, rounder texture that contributes depth, complexity and personality to our glass.
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For this Niagara winemaker, the local terroir can stand on its own Gabriel Demarco of Cave Springs isn’t interested in making copycat wines

“We develop our entire portfolio of wine around what the site gives us. If that wine reminds you of someplace else, we’re not doing our job,” says Cave Spring winemaker Gabriel Demarco.

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A long-standing Okanagan winemaker makes its Ontario debut, and three other Canadian wines to try Hester Creek Estate Winery is looking to increase production to meet demand as it also eyes sales outside of B.C.

“I think Canadian consumers are getting more educated and want to try a more diverse selection of wines from across the country,” says Mark Sheridan, president of pioneering Okanagan winery, Hester Creek. www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-an...

Ontario approves new grape varieties, broadening choices for wine lovers The 24 grape varieties were recognized for their resistence to extreme cold and their lower dependence on chemical treatments

Twenty-four locally grown grape varieties, including 16 new hybrids, have joined the list of approved wine grapes by the Ontario Wine Appellation Authority. www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-an...

A Beamsville vineyard finds new ways to host wine lovers Without a tasting room or wine boutique, Mason Vineyards needs to get creative to make its wines accessible

A finely tuned palate and gentle hand in the cellar has made Kelly Mason a rising star in Canadian wine. www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-an...

Gérard Bertrand is working to make the South of France one of the world’s best wine regions His wineries produce red, white, sparkling, rosé and orange wines from a network of grape growers across Languedoc-Roussillon

Since launching his eponymous wine company in 1992, Gérard Bertrand has systematically built one of France’s most successful wine ventures. www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-an...

Despite challenges today in Bordeaux, this best-selling brand is plotting future success Winemakers are looking to add unique value to their labels to combat decline in red wine demand and consumption

Best-selling brand, Mouton Cadet, is promoting the Fair for Life certification, earned for their commitment to human rights, sustainable agriculture and community development to update "the dusty image of Bordeaux"
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Gen Z’s alcohol consumption is growing in Canada, report shows Gen Z’s drinking habits are in line with the behaviour of preceding generations in their 20s, the report shows

Faced with declining consumption around the world, the alcohol industry feared that consumption was fragmenting along generational lines, but a new report shows Gen Z hasn't abandoned wine, beer and spirits.
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Gen Z’s alcohol consumption is growing in Canada, report shows Gen Z’s drinking habits are in line with the behaviour of preceding generations in their 20s, the report shows

Faced with declining consumption, the alcohol trade feared consumption was fragmenting along generational lines. Received wisdom suggested price, increasing competition (hello, cannabis) & health concern were leading younger consumers to abandon alcohol. www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-an...

A founding father of Canadian wine still has work to do After rejuvenating Canada’s wine industry 50 years ago, Donald Ziraldo is pushing for a national standard to help promote homegrown vintages

Donald Ziraldo, who helped kick-start the modern wine industry in Canada by launching Inniskillin Wines with co-founder Karl Kaiser in 1975, is pushing for national wine standards to bolster interprovincial trade and promote the authenticity of homegrown wine. www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-an...

Three refreshing rosés to kickstart summer After a cooler spring, with the hotter weather comes more appetite for pink wines

While crisp and refreshing pink wines are increasingly championed as delicious and versatile year-round options, their popularity soars during warm weather months.

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