Summer Sipping Summer calls for wines of finesse. Think crystalline whites, rosés the colour of a Provençal sunset, and lightly chilled reds with red-fruit lift. These picks are made for the patio, the dock, and long dinners that linger past sundown.

Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio. Alto Adige, Trentino, Italy. A classically styled Italian white from Trentino in the Alps, made by one of Italy’s oldest cooperatives. Founded in 1904 on the Dolomite slopes, Mezzacorona was just named best Italian cooperative in the past 25 years at the Mundus Vini 2025 Awards. Every cluster is hand-picked from estate vineyards tended by more than 1,500 small growers. Zesty and bright with green apple, white pear, and a squeeze of lemon. Clean, dry and subtly mineral. Mezzacorona has practiced sustainable farming long before it was trendy. Pair with grilled calamari, mushroom risotto, prosciutto e melone, or a mozzarella and tomato salad. Rosé food pairings: smoked salmon blinis, sushi rolls, prosciutto and melon, strawberry shortcake. Alcohol: 11.5%. Sweetness: Dry. Score: 91/100. LCBO: 302380. $15.95.

Joiefarm En Famille Pinot Noir 2022. Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A. A graceful, cool-climate Pinot Noir from JoieFarm located in Naramata, drawn from vineyards on the Naramata Bench and Okanagan Falls at elevations that coax out freshness. Translucent ruby with aromas of ripe Bing cherry, crushed raspberry, dried rose, and a thread of cedar and forest floor. The palate is medium-bodied and supple with velvety tannins, a juicy core of red fruit, and lifted acidity that makes every sip feel effortless. Bone dry, best served just below room temperature. Winemaker Richard Charnock joined JoieFarm in 2022 after his tenure at Pentage Winery. The En Famille Reserve Pinot Noir earned Gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London, one of only 454 golds among over 15,000 entries. Pair with roast chicken in herb butter, seared salmon with lentils, or a mushroom and goat cheese tart. Alcohol: 13%. Sweetness: Extra Dry. Drink: 2025–2028. LCBO: 49595. Score: 93/100. $52.10.

Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc. Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand. A benchmark Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from a winery founded in 1994 by Sue and Greg White. The grapes come from stony soils in the Wairau and Awatere river valleys, where bright sunshine and cool nights shape the wine’s character. Whitehaven holds the Appellation Marlborough Wine accreditation, guaranteeing 100% Marlborough fruit from certified sustainable vineyards. Fresh lemon and white peach on the palate, with a zesty lime finish. Bright, dry, and full of personality. Selected for the AMW Annual Collection of 12 wines reflecting the best of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Lovely with freshly shucked oysters and a squeeze of lemon. Alcohol: 13%. Sweetness: Extra Dry. Drink: 2025–2026. Score: 93/100. LCBO: 308288. $21.95.

French Bloom Le Blanc Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine. Limoux, France. A refreshing non-alcoholic sparkling wine with bright green apple, citrus zest and white peach on the nose, plus subtle floral and lightly bready notes. The palate is light-bodied, crisp and effervescent with clean fruit and a zesty finish. This 0.0% sparkler offers the celebratory feel of bubbles without the alcohol, perfect for inclusive gatherings. Serve well-chilled in a flute. Pair with fresh fruit skewers, crudités, lemon-herb grilled chicken, or mild cheeses like brie. Available from Holt Renfrew and Upsidedrinks.ca. Alcohol: 00%. Sweetness: Medium dry. Score: 93/100. Drink: 2026–2032. $49.95.

Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon. Penedès, Spain. A superb Spanish Cabernet from one of the country’s most storied wine families. Terrific intensity and concentration, yet balanced and structured. The grapes grow on vines at the Mas la Plana estate. Blackberry jam, dark spice and a peppery lift on the nose. Lusciously ripe with layers of dark fruit, firm tannins and a long, savoury finish. Pair with lamb Bolognese, grilled New York strip loin, hard cheese, braised pork shanks, or veal chops. Alcohol: 14%. Sweetness: Dry. Drink: 2015–2022. Score: 91/100. LCBO: 36483. $19.95.

Sprucewood Shores Beach Glass Riesling Pinot Grigio. Ontario V.Q.A. A fresh white blend from Ontario’s only beachfront winery on Lake Erie North Shore, named for the sea-worn glass you find along those beaches. It blends Riesling for a bright top note and Pinot Grigio for its melon side. Aromas of grapefruit, lemon curd, and a cool whisper of sea spray on warm stone. The palate is crisp at the start, sunny in the middle, with a soft mineral finish. Tastes like optimism, with structure. Wonderful with citrus-glazed salmon warm off the grill. Alcohol: 12%. Sweetness: Dry. Drink: 2026–2027. Score: 90/100. LCBO: 23877. $14.99.

Bottega Vino dei Poeti Brut Rosé. Veneto, Italy. A lively sparkling rosé with a pale pink hue and fine bubbles. Fresh wild strawberry, raspberry and cherry on the nose, with floral notes and a hint of pastry. The palate is crisp and dry with red berry fruit, soft creaminess and a zesty finish. Made from Glera and Pinot Noir in the classic Prosecco Rosé style. Short skin contact with Pinot Noir gives it colour, then a second fermentation using the Martinotti method creates the fine bubbles. Serve well-chilled. Pair with smoked salmon blinis, prosciutto and melon, or strawberry shortcake. Alcohol: 11.5%. Sweetness: Dry. Score: 91/100. LCBO: 277202. $15.95.

Henry of Pelham Three of Hearts Rosé. Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada. A zesty Niagara rosé from the Speck family at Henry of Pelham. The grapes come from the same estate vineyards as the Catharine Cuvée, the winery’s traditional method sparkling. Spritely on the nose with fresh field strawberries and bright red fruit. The palate is dry and mouth-watering with crisp acidity and a clean finish. Made for sunny afternoons on the dock or a casual dinner on the porch. Pair with seafood, shellfish, charcuterie, goat cheese, and summer salads. Alcohol: 13%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 ml. Drink: 2021–2022. Score: 91/100. LCBO: 552562. $19.95.

Tanduay Especia Spiced Rum. Philippines. A standout spiced rum from Tanduay, the Philippines’ oldest distillery, dating back to 1854. The base rum is aged up to seven years in ex-bourbon barrels before being infused with a secret blend of exotic spices and tropical fruits. Elegant aromas of spiced fruitcake, caramel, almond and vanilla. The palate brings honey, ginger and cinnamon weaving through ripe tropical fruit. The finish is warm, long and clean. More refined than most spiced rums, with restraint where others go heavy on vanilla. Sip it neat over a big cube, mix it into a rum old fashioned, or pour it over vanilla ice cream. Alcohol: 40%. Drink: 2026-2045. Score: 94/100. LCBO: 47848. $32.50.

Glenmorangie Original Highland Single Malt Scotch. United Kingdom, Scotland. A smooth, elegant Highland single malt with layers of sun-ripened citrus, creamy vanilla, and gentle spice, with a whisper of almond and peach on the finish. Dry, medium-bodied, and silky. Serve at room temperature to let the aromas unfold, or cellar it for up to a decade. Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling, has been named Master Distiller of the Year four times by the International Whisky Competition. He insists the stills here are the tallest in Scotland, roughly the height of an adult giraffe, which may explain why the spirit is so refined. Pair with seared duck breast in a citrus glaze, or roasted pear and aged cheddar crostini. Alcohol: 40%. Drink: 2025–2040. Score: 95/100. LCBO: 38971. $76.70.

Chopin Potato Vodka. Poland. A benchmark potato vodka from a family-owned distillery in eastern Poland. The bottle, with its silhouette of Frédéric Chopin, has become an icon on better bar shelves around the world. Local potatoes and spring water give this spirit a fuller, rounder mouthfeel than most grain vodkas. Subtle green apple and vanilla on the nose. The palate is silky with a gentle natural sweetness and a warm, clean finish. Naturally gluten-free. Drink well chilled or build a martini that lets it sing. Pair with caviar, smoked salmon, oysters, blinis, or pierogi. Alcohol: 40%. Drink 2026-2040. Score: 94/100. LCBO: 521963. $53.15.

Natalie MacLean offers Ontario’s most popular online wine and food pairing courses, tasting classes, expert reviews and mobile apps at nataliemaclean.com.

Natalie is the author of the new, bestselling book, Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much.

2025 Finalist for the International Wine and Spirits Competition Wine Communicator of the Year.