Christopher Waters

Location Matters Ontario joins a global alliance to protect the integrity of wine names

Ontario and Mendoza have become new members of the Wine Origins Alliance, a global organization dedicated to eliminating barriers to wine trade and protecting the integrity of wine names.

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Five Canadian sparkling wines that say be mine all the time Here are four current releases that have impressed recently along with a fizzy and fruity favourite from Nova Scotia that always appeals

Wineries from coast-to-coast have refined their approach to the labour-intensive “traditional method” of Champagne in which bubbles are captured during a secondary fermentation in bottle to produce sophisticated profiles that say “Be Mine” each & every day

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As temperatures rise and rainfall declines, this award-winning viticulturalist is embracing change Rosa Kruger looks for new solutions to help old vines in South Africa

As climate-induced extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, intense and unpredictable in South Africa, viticulturalist Rosa Kruger is looking for ways her country can continue growing grapes for quality wine well into the future

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After wildfires destroyed his home and vineyard, an Australian winemaker looks to rebuild Fowles Wine faces a crop loss and a long road to recovery, but remains resilient as the 2026 wine harvest approaches

“Horror visited us on the vineyard in the past few days,” Fowles Wine owner Matt Fowles wrote in a Jan. 10 Facebook post. “We lost our home, sheds, vineyards and livestock...”
Find his Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Wild Ferment Shiraz at LCBO Vintages outlets

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Three Cheers for Saturday Reviews for the first weekend of February

Some timely reviews for this week’s LCBO Vintages drop. And, an appreciation for a moment in the Will Arnett comedy-drama, Is This Thing On?, that resonates

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Nine bottles to make the most of February – and look ahead to warmer days This week, six delightful red wines that make ideal pairings for wintry meals. Plus, a non-alcoholic sauvignon blanc and a low-alcohol sparkling rosé

When it comes to filling the wine rack for February, there should be a balance of nurturing bottles that lean into the cold, and vibrant ones that speak of spring. How better to toast the gradual lengthening of daylight while coping with the persistent cold?

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Wine Wednesday Five fine wines to enjoy this month

Two wines from Niagara’s Domaine Queylus are featured as part of the February 7 LCBO Vintages in Ontario. Read reviews for them and three other recommendations in my latest Substack.

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Fostering a taste for icewine in Niagara-on-the-Lake The star Canadian product isn’t just for dessert

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Taylor Swift’s taste in wine has fans embracing Sancerre The Domaine de Terres Blanches Sancerre has captured Swifties’ hearts (and wallets) – but the region’s other sauvignon blancs are equally distinctive

A cameo in Taylor Swift’s Disney+ documentary sparked a surge in sales for Domaine de Terres Blanches. One of the winery’s bottles is visible during the last episode of End of an Era, prompting a run on the Sancerre which is released Feb. 7 at LCBO outlets

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Wine Consumption in Major Wine-Consuming Countries (1840-2024)

Fostering a taste for icewine in Niagara-on-the-Lake The star Canadian product isn’t just for dessert

People think of icewine as a dessert wine or something for special occasions, but it doesn’t have to be, explains Inniskillin's Sumie Yamakawa. “We want to open people’s eyes to icewine’s potential.”
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My Dinners with André Mourning the loss of a tireless champion of South Africa wine

André Morgenthal loved wine. He loved South Africa. He loved connecting people. Mostly, he loved gathering around a table, sharing food, wine and free-ranging conversation. A toast to one of South African wine's greatest champions watersonwine.substack.com/p/my-dinners...

Canadian red wines from $28 to $225 that age well This roundup from Christopher Waters includes some of the most expensive bottles of red produced in the country

“[Trius Red has] definitely stood the test of time,” says Trius head winemaker Emma Garner. The new vintage of Trius Red is reviewed this week alongside other serious Bordeaux-influenced wines produced in Ontario and British Columbia.

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How one of Spain’s top winemakers is preparing for wine’s future ‘Wine can be a symbol of resilience against climate change’

“Wine can be a symbol of resilience against climate change,” explains Spanish winemaker Miguel A. Torres. “We like to have our vineyards and like to produce wine to make people happier.”

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Wednesday Wines Five highlights from the January 10th LCBO Vintages release

If you’re shopping the upcoming LCBO Vintages release in Ontario, here are five wines that I have my eyes on.

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New Year, New Views Who am I? What am I doing here?

I went to a career fair in university and asked an unwitting reporter from the Kitchener-Waterloo Record how I could get a wine column. She deflected, with good reason. There were few wine columns in the country then. None written by twenty-something English majors.

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On the Air Tired of ordinary wine content? A laggard contemplates hosting a podcast

I am often asked if I have a podcast. I don’t, but do think about it.
Time and confusion about technology and equipment are the biggest hurdles as I see it. Excuses that are easy enough to overcome should I decide to be the world’s last adopter of podcasting.

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How one of Spain’s top winemakers is preparing for wine’s future ‘Wine can be a symbol of resilience against climate change’

Although wine is often seen as a traditional business, Spanish winemaker Miguel A. Torres turned his family’s company into a global leader by embracing new ideas and preparing for the future.

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Global Per Capita Wine, Beer, and Spirits Consumption, 1961-2022

Three alcohol-free drinks for Dry January Monthlong abstinence campaign is most popular with younger drinkers, but interest is stalling across all age groups

If you plan to avoid or reduce consumption of alcohol in the new year, there’s an ever-expanding universe of non-alcoholic beer, wines and spirits to consider. Here are three recommendations to buy now

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Toasting the lasting legacy of a Canadian whisky blender Bill Ashburn’s influence is going to shape Forty Creek’s production well into the future as he retires after 38 years in the business

Bill Ashburn started planning his retirement from Forty Creek two years ago by imparting knowledge gained over 38 years in distilling and transferring responsibilities as part of a succession plan.
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Eight outstanding Canadian wines to toast the New Year A strong harvest in British Columbia brought a welcome wave of optimism for an industry challenged by weather and wildfires

Canadian wine has enjoyed a banner year, with increased consumer interest and good-quality harvests across the country.

The real excitement was the abundance in B.C., which signalled a recovery from the 2024 frost that resulted in 95-per-cent crop loss.

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Eight impressive red wines for holiday meals What better way to celebrate the season than by spreading joy by the glass?

Sharing wines with real personality is one of the best ways I know to spread joy. Whether they are classic or recognizable labels or more novel and modern expressions, the right sort of wine for this moment conveys unique characteristics.

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Three perfect aperitif wines to enjoy this holiday season Consider these bottles placeholders for styles of wine suitable for pre-dinner socializing

Whether you opt to serve something bitter, bubbly or refreshing, a well-chosen aperitif can have a transformative effect especially during the merry mayhem of the holiday season.

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Nine cozy white wines to enjoy this winter These rich and full-bodied whites can bolster against the cold weather

As the temperature drops, my interest in hearty red wine typically increases. But I’m also attracted to deeply satisfying styles of white wines that inspire cheer and conviviality during the cozy season.

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Niagara’s newest winery dreams big Plus, three Canadian wines to enjoy including Stone Eagle’s sauvignon blanc and semillon blend

Stone Eagle represents a huge vote of confidence in continued growth of luxury wine tourism in the Niagara.

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Eight wines for your festive social calendar Add these wines to your shopping list to prepare for the season of giving and gathering ahead

For many, it can be hard to pick from the many available options of wines for holiday hosting.

Much depends on taste and budget, which is why I’m sharing recommendations for enjoyable bottles that can rise to meet different occasions.

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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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