From LCBO Vintage’s shelves to your glass, food, and wine lovers, these are the wines you can explore new bites with this summer.

In wine, where tradition often reigns supreme, the Conundrum Wines’ distinctive blends challenge the conventional wisdom of single-varietal dominance. Their unique approach entices the palate and dares wine enthusiasts to explore new and adventurous food pairings.

The story of Conundrum Wines started more than 25 years ago. It all began when Charlie Wagner Sr., the co-founder of Caymus Vineyard, sat at the dinner table with his wife, Lorna, and son, Chuck. Blending wines at the table, this mini experiment was to make a perfect glass to pair with his meal. This is the start of Conundrum Wines.

The project was officially started in 1989 with the first release of the Conundrum White; the aim was to create a wine that embodied a spirit of exploration and surprise. The name “Conundrum” reflects the challenge and joy of blending different varietals to achieve a wine greater than the sum of its parts.

Conundrum’s flagship wines, the Conundrum White and Conundrum Red, are celebrated for their rich, layered flavours. The current vintage of the Conundrum White is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Viognier, while the Red combines Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sourced from premier California winegrowing regions, Conundrum wines captivate with every sip. The white blend tantalizes the palate with a symphony of tropical fruits, crisp citrus notes, and a hint of floral aromas, leaving a refreshing sensation that lingers delicately. Its counterpart, the red blend, presents a rich tapestry of flavours with luscious dark berries, velvety tannins, and subtle hints of spice, crafting a harmonious balance between depth and finesse.

Perfectly versatile, these wines shine whether enjoyed alone or paired with dishes ranging from the traditional to the unexpected. Their intricate profiles elevate any dining experience. From small gatherings to more significant celebrations, Conundrum wines deliver.

Recently, I tested the pairablity of both their wines, matching them up with dishes off the menu of two well-known King Street restaurants in Toronto: Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen and Little Sister Bistro. Both have a reputation for serving spicy, savoury flavours from around the globe. At Chubby’s, Although the Caribbean may be far away, Chubby’s is a haven that offers a taste of the Caribbean sun with all the flavours and culture of Jamaica in every dish. Little Sister is a Dutch-Indo food bar that brings a different side of the world. It has dishes from Indonesia and a modern and very of-the-moment flare added to the mix.

The Conundrum White’s bouquet is a medley of tropical fruit, citrus, and floral notes, balanced by a hint of oak paired beautifully with the Saltfish Fritters and the Watercress and Papaya Salad from Chubby’s. The refreshing nature of the wine brought levity to the Fritters and matched up with the combination of sweet and fresh herbs in the salad.

At Little Sister, I went a different route with the pairings. Pairing the Conundrum White with the Udang Kari and their Charred Green Bean Salad. The creamy coconut turmeric curry sauce of Udang Kari benefits from the crisp nature of the Conundrum White, readying your palate for the next bite. The green notes of the Charred Bean Salad are a perfect pairing with the wine’s soft herbal notes and vibrant acidity.

Conundrum Red offers a rich, full-bodied experience with notes of dark berries, chocolate, and a touch of spice. Its bold character makes it suitable for pairing with the Slow-Cooked Jerk Chicken Wings from Chubby’s and the restaurant Curried Goat Dish. The spice of the jerked wings brings out the lovely fruit notes of the wine, while the curried goat benefits from the wine’s aromatic complexity and smooth palate.

At Little Sister, I kept the bold dishes coming, pairing the Conundrum Red with the Semur Java, Javanese spiced braised beef short ribs, and the Babi Panggang, Grilled Smoked Pork Belly. The dishes bring out the fruit and floral notes of the wine’s aromas and have the right level of richness to match this wine’s tannins and palate expression perfectly.

Pairing wine with food is an art and a science, and Conundrum Wines invites you to push the boundaries of conventional pairings. The key to successful pairing is balance and contrast—the wine should either complement or contrast with the dish’s flavours to enhance both.

With their complex blends, Conundrum Wines offers a playground for your palate. Whether hosting a dinner party or simply enjoying a meal at home, these wines encourage daring, experimenting, and discovering new flavour combinations. After all, the best pairings often come from a willingness to embrace the unknown and savour the conundrum. Find both of these ready-to-be-paired bottles at the LCBO.