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Never a better time to check out Canadian wines
Never a better time to check out Canadian wines

Winnipeg Free Press

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • Winnipeg Free Press

Never a better time to check out Canadian wines

Opinion Not since Prohibition — from around the time of the First World War into the 1920s, for most provinces — has there been a more volatile time to be a producer of wine (or beer or spirits) in Canada. Here in Manitoba, as is the case in some other provinces, the consumer has it relatively good. We're able to purchase wine, beer and spirits directly from any producer in the country that's willing to ship to us. And Liquor Marts and private wine store shelves enjoy a solid cross-section of products from both of the country's two primary winemaking regions — British Columbia and Ontario. But the import and export rules vary from province to province, meaning we might be able to get our favourite Ontario wine delivered directly, while an Ontario consumer, living in a province with more restrictive direct shipping regulations, likely can't do the same with their favourite Manitoba booze. Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press Sprinklers water grapes vines in the Okanagan Valley's wine country. The region's tourism has taken a hit. Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press Sprinklers water grapes vines in the Okanagan Valley's wine country. The region's tourism has taken a hit. Getting a product onto LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) store shelves is notoriously difficult, particularly if you're a smaller producer unable to craft significant quantities of said product. The ability for, say, a Winnipeg craft brewer to ship directly to a consumer in the GTA, cottage country or anywhere else in Ontario would be a boon, as it would be with other more restrictive provinces. Since the whole 'elbows up' phenomenon caused by trade tariffs with the U.S., there's been a push to roll back interprovincial trade barriers. Such a move could help to create a clearer picture of Canadian wine for consumers. We're a young wine-producing country, relatively speaking, and wineries in our primary viticultural regions are separated by thousands of kilometres. Understandably, Canadian wine store shelves in B.C. are dominated by wines from that province, while Ontarians have access to a host of wines made in their own backyard. The focus by BCLDB (B.C. Liquor Distribution Board) and LCBO stores on product from their respective provinces leaves few shelf spots available for each other's wines. Removing existing trade barriers and allowing consumers to order direct from any province would help consumers develop a better understanding of the killer wines made in every region of our country. The Okanagan Valley, in particular, is in a tenuous situation at present. After a couple of years of wildfires in the area, which impacted some grapes with smoke taint and damaged other vineyards, the region suffered brutal winter cold snaps in late 2022 and early 2024 that decimated vineyards. These climate-change-related extreme weather events have many producers mulling whether to plant hardier varieties to withstand extreme weather. And many have looked to their counterparts in the Cascadia region of the U.S. West Coast — Oregon, Washington and California — for grapes to fill in temporarily while B.C. wineries replant vineyards. As a result, most B.C. wines that we see (or will see) in our market sporting the 2024 vintage that would typically be labelled with the VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) designation — meaning the grapes in the bottle come from the region shown on the label — are now made with American juice. Producers have taken steps to try and educate consumers via dedicated websites explaining why they had to take this step. Some have created new lines of wines complete with unique branding to differentiate them from the stuff they'd normally produce, which is helpful. Others, meanwhile, have simply kept producing the same lines of wines with the same look, albeit sans VQA designation and with a quick explanation on the back label about the fruit's providence. Scan your local Liquor Marts/wine store shelves and check out the differences between 2024 B.C. wines and those from the same province but another vintage — in some cases, without a close look you'd never know the grapes came from away, so to speak. Tourism in the Okanagan has also taken a hit for a variety of reasons, including inflation and the aforementioned wildfires. For those producers who chose not to purchase grapes from elsewhere to fill in for the 2024 vintage, there's little to no wine left to sell this year, and some have made the tough decision to keep tasting rooms closed for 2025. Some B.C. wineries will weather the storm. Others may not make it, with some already publicly announced as being for sale, and many more quietly but unofficially available for purchase for those brave or adventurous (or foolish) enough to plunk down some millions in these fiscally turbulent times. So this year, swirl, sniff and sip on Canada Day weekend with elbows up, and enjoy the range of Canadian wines available to us here in the middle of the country. Or if you're looking to travel this summer, consider Canadian wine country in Ontario, B.C., Nova Scotia or elsewhere. Because by next year, the viticultural landscape in Canada could look quite different. uncorked@ @bensigurdson Strewn 2023 Bin 1930 Sauvignon Blanc/Riesling (Niagara Peninsula, Ont. — $17.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) This Winnipeg Blue Bombers-labelled Ontario white blend is pale straw in appearance, bringing lovely chalky lemon candy, fresh red apple, floral and subtle grassy, herbal notes. It's light-bodied and mainly dry, with a lively chalky, almost-salty note that comes with the lemon zest, red apple and white peach notes, zippy acidity and, at 12 per cent alcohol, a modest finish. A solid selection for salads, mild cheeses or any football-watching fare. 3.5/5 Jackson-Triggs 2024 Winemaker's Series Reserve Chardonnay (Pacific Northwest/B.C. — $17.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) Here's one of Jackson-Triggs Okanagan's 2024 wines made using fruit from the U.S. Pacific Northwest, but whose label looks much like the other B.C. VQA wines, minus the VQA designation on the label. (Theres's some info on the back label about the shift as well as a QR code to a website explaining the situation.) It's pale gold in appearance and aromatically offers ripe peach, red apple, vanilla and baking spice notes. It's medium-bodied, dry and quite ripe, with fleshy peach and red apple coming with vanilla and spice (the latter two from time in French and American oak), a creamy texture, a hint of marmalade and a medium-length finish (it's 13 per cent alcohol). For those who prefer their Chardonnay on the riper but less woody side. 3.5/5 Magnotta 2023 Equus Pinot Noir (Niagara Peninsula, Ont. — around $20, private wine stores) Pale brick-ish cherry in colour, this Niagara Peninsula Pinot Noir shows earth, spice, black cherry, plum and mocha notes aromatically. It's light-bodied and dry, with slightly stewed cherry, blueberry jam, plum, mocha and spice flavours, with light tannins and a modest finish. Try it with mushroom risotto. Available at The Pourium. 3/5 Sumac Ridge Estate Winery 2022 Cabernet Merlot (Okanagan Valley, B.C. — $17.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) A Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend, this B.C. VQA red brings ripe plum and cassis notes on the nose, as well as hints of bell pepper, savoury herbs and spice. On the medium-plus bodied palate the ripe, almost-plush (but not overly jammy) dark fruit flavours are much more up front, with secondary vanilla, white pepper, black tea and a hint of smoke that comes with chewy, grippy tannins and, at 14 per cent alcohol, a slightly warm finish. Could use a steak, stew or some other form of meaty protein to soften things up. Of note, the 2024 wines from Sumac Ridge are made from Pacific Northwest fruit but not visibly differentiated from the VQA wines in any significant way. 3/5 Ben SigurdsonLiterary editor, drinks writer Ben Sigurdson is the Free Press's literary editor and drinks writer. He graduated with a master of arts degree in English from the University of Manitoba in 2005, the same year he began writing Uncorked, the weekly Free Press drinks column. He joined the Free Press full time in 2013 as a copy editor before being appointed literary editor in 2014. Read more about Ben. In addition to providing opinions and analysis on wine and drinks, Ben oversees a team of freelance book reviewers and produces content for the arts and life section, all of which is reviewed by the Free Press's editing team before being posted online or published in print. It's part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Overnight residential break-and-enters spike across Calgary; 30+ homes hit in recent weeks
Overnight residential break-and-enters spike across Calgary; 30+ homes hit in recent weeks

CTV News

time16-06-2025

  • CTV News

Overnight residential break-and-enters spike across Calgary; 30+ homes hit in recent weeks

The Calgary Police Service's headquarters building is shown in Calgary on Dec. 7, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh The number of overnight residential break-and-enters is rising across Calgary, according to police. There have been more than 30 reports filed in the past several weeks, police say. Most happened between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., while the victims were asleep inside their residences. Entry was often gained through unlocked windows and doors. Vehicle keys as well as various valuables left out in the open were targeted in the incidents. More than 20 vehicles were stolen in the incidents. Police suggest locking windows and doors even when home and not leaving items in obvious places. Police also suggest investing in a safe, motion-activated or timed lights, alarms or cameras. Police are offering an outline of a nightly household routine, as well as other tips, at Suspicious activity can be reported to police by calling 403-266-1234. If your home is broken into, or an attempt is made, police recommend calling 911.

Tariffs, wildfires and AI on the agenda as Canada hosts world leaders at G7
Tariffs, wildfires and AI on the agenda as Canada hosts world leaders at G7

Toronto Sun

time15-06-2025

  • Business
  • Toronto Sun

Tariffs, wildfires and AI on the agenda as Canada hosts world leaders at G7

Published Jun 15, 2025 • 5 minute read A Canada flag, left, and an Alberta flag flap in the breeze with Wedge Mountain in the background at the site of the G7 Leaders meeting in Kananaskis, Alberta, June 2, 2025. Photo by Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press via AP, file OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney has tried to pare down Canada's priorities as the G7 summit host, but there's still a lengthy list of global issues for leaders to discuss over the coming days. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'Leaders (will) meet at a moment of enormous flux globally, when tensions among G7 members are especially pronounced,' Carney's foreign policy adviser David Angell told a panel this week. He did not directly reference U.S. President Donald Trump, who famously walked out of the last G7 summit Canada hosted in 2018. Here's a look at what's on the agenda in Kananaskis, Alta., and what to expect. Economics On the formal agenda, the first discussion is about the 'global economic outlook,' followed by a working lunch on economic security and supply chains. Angell said this will include a discussion on 'anti-market practices by large, non-G7 economies.' China is among those countries accused of anti-market practices. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'There's no doubt that important discussion of President Trump's tariff strategy will take place,' he added. John Kirton, head of the G7 Research Group at the University of Toronto, said the discussion will likely set the tone on how countries balance fiscal stimulus through tax cuts or possibly more defence spending along with cutting back deficits. He said leaders will need to navigate the difficult reality that Trump's tariffs are hurting economic growth and likely caused the downgrading of Washington's credit ratings. Leaders are set to discuss critical minerals, and Kirton said this might involve setting labour and environmental transparency standards for minerals acquired in fragile countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Sen. Peter Boehm, who played a central role in many G7 summits, said he expects Canada to raise the dysfunction of the World Trade Organization, though this might happen in an informal setting instead of part of the structured G7 meetings. The WTO's appeal body is the main global enforcer of resolutions in trade disputes, and it has been effectively stalled for years as the U.S. blocks the appointment of panel members, following frustration of how the WTO has ruled against Washington. In 2018, Canada launched the Ottawa Group, a committee urging WTO reform made up of more than a dozen economies ranging from Kenya to Norway, but it has had limited success. Wildfires and foreign interference The second session taking place Monday will involve safety, particularly wildfires, foreign interference and transnational crime. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Canada is set to release a Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, spanning mitigation, response and recovery. Kirton said discussion around the document will focus on 'equipment interoperability' to allow G7 members to support each other during emergencies, as well as the use of satellite imagery to fight wildfires. He said the topic has become 'a burning issue' in part because wildfires in places like Los Angeles and across the Prairies show how the threat is relevant to Washington and its G7 peers. Leaders might try to raise climate change, but Kirton doubts that phrase will appear in any closing statements, with Trump pushing back on the topic. A brief circulated among G7 planners from various countries originally included the term 'countering migrant smuggling and drug trafficking' but Kirton noted that the term did not appear in later drafts. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Kirton said he expects leaders to discuss tighter co-operation in combating the drug trade, given that the U.S. concern over opioids matches concerns other countries have about heroin trafficking. 'Making the world secure' The topic title of the Monday working dinner is broad. While such a session would normally involve conflicts in Israel and the Palestinian territories, North Korea and Sudan, analysts expect that recent strikes between Israel and Iran will dominate this discussion. Ukrainian sovereignty Tuesday's working breakfast will come after G7 leaders have a chance to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and amid concerns from other G7 members that the U.S. might sign a deal from Russia that only encourages further invasion of European countries. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After that, G7 leaders have a larger meeting with the invited guests, which so far includes leaders of Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, NATO, the United Nations and the World Bank. It's unclear whether Canada's bid to raise issues of foreign interference will come up in talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose government the RCMP has linked to extortion, coercion and homicide cases. In January, the foreign interference inquiry's final report said 'India is the second most active' threat actor, which is 'clandestinely providing illicit financial support to various Canadian politicians in an attempt to secure the election of pro-India candidates or gain influence.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tuesday afternoon's discussion is set to include making energy affordable and creating the infrastructure needed to diversify of energy sources. Angell said 'a number of key leaders' visiting the summit as guests will be part of the talks. Carney's office has said Canada is seeking coalitions with reliable partners to open new markets, and generate large infrastructure investments. AI and quantum tech Carney's office says G7 leaders will discuss 'using artificial intelligence and quantum to unleash economic growth,' though it's not clear where in the schedule this will take place. Experts say quantum computing could rapidly speed up processing times and allow for more accurate or efficient tasks. But they say cryptography might be needed to prevent powerful quantum computers from breaking power grids and banking systems. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Kirton said the discussion will likely include discussion on how to include developing countries in the gains of AI and how it can boost the efficiency of government bureaucracies and business of all sizes. Something useful — and Canadian While federal officials have warned that the summit will unlikely end with a lengthy communique that has been part of almost every other G7 summit, Boehm has faith Canada will still deliver points of consensus that liberal democracies can act on. Last month, finance ministers and central bankers agreed on action around cyber threats to the financial sector and the need to assess the possibilities and risks posed by artificial intelligence. In March, foreign ministers pledged to focus on maritime security, a topic that affects all G7 countries who also happen to share three oceans with Canada, giving grounds to look at everything from unregistered vessels undermining sanctions to illegal fishing and threats to undersea fibre-optic cables. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. These were largely seen as ways to bridge the growing gap between Europe and the U.S. and focus on shared goals. It's a skill G7 allies turn to Canada for, sometimes literally, in the middle of the night. 'There's often come a time, usually at three in the morning or something, where someone will look at me, or whoever is in the Canadian chair and say … 'it's time for the great Canadian initiative to compromise, and get this thing done.' So we do add value,' Boehm said. Read More Sunshine Girls Golf Editorial Cartoons Sports World

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