Labour Day is right around the corner, celebrate the moments of summer with these wines, spirits, RTDs and non-alc bevies available in Ontario.
As the sun-kissed days of summer begin to wane, there’s no better way to bid farewell to the season than by raising a glass filled with the finest and most refreshing beverages. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a backyard barbecue, enjoying a park hang with friends, or even heading up the cottage for another hooray before the season closes, the right drink can elevate your experience and create lasting memories. From classic favourites to innovative concoctions, here’s a curated list of the best “bevies” to help you close out summer with a resounding bang. All of these can be found at either the LCBO, Wine Rack stores, ordered from local wineries and retailers directly or even at a popular restaurant.
BBQ Bevies To Pair With The Long Weekend
As the long weekend approaches, it’s time to fire up the grill and indulge in some mouthwatering barbecue delights. But no barbecue feast is complete without the perfect beverages to complement the smoky flavours and hearty dishes.
Sparkling is a wine style that can pair with anything, BBQ foods included. Joining the category of sparkling wines and part of the renaissance of zero-proof wine the non-alc Vintoir Dealcoholized Sparkling Rosé by Magnotta is a wine perfect for a BBQ moment. A blend of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir this is a wine that is crisp and refreshing with lively red berry fruit notes and an easy-pairing finish.
For the BBQ lovers that gravitate towards bold notes and bold red wines the Blake Boulevard Cabernet Sauvignon is where it is at. Cabernet Sauvignon matches so well with the flavours of BBQ sauce. This is a Cab Sauc that invokes swaying palm trees, golden sunsets, and legendary glamour. Bringing to the glass notes of blackberry, black cherry, and a hint of cinnamon.
Not all BBQ moments are meat-driven. Grilled cheeses, vegetables and fish pair better with a lighter wine that will not overpower. A white wine with flavour, that mimics its red wine counterpart is the Blake Boulevard Sauvignon Blanc. Showing off a west-coast wine style with a crisp and fresh Sauc Blanc filled with notes of white peach, grapefruit, and passion fruit.
Sometimes BBQ is the only plan in mind. When you don’t have a clear vision of what to serve to pair with some long weekend BBQing it is always a good choice to turn Cabernet Franc. The Domaine Queylus 2020 Tradition Cabernet Franc is a crowd-pleaser with notes of black cherry, dried herb and a hint of smoke it has a palate that can pair with a wide range of BBQed foods.
Drinks For The All-Friends-in Park Hangout
Gathering with friends at the park for a leisurely hangout is one of the quintessential pleasures of warmer days. To elevate the experience, don’t forget to bring along a selection of drinks that cater to everyone’s tastes.
Once chilled, the Saintly Minis, The Good Sparkling and the Rosé are great companion wines for the perfect park hangout with friends. These mini bottles of white and rosé Saintly Sparking Wines are made from Niagara Peninsula grapes. Pop the top and enjoy refreshing fruit flavours complemented by a clean and crisp flavour with just the right amount of bubbles.
The Aveleda Vinho Verde is such a summer-forward wine. Marked by its fresh aromas and flavours of lemon, white melon, grapefruit, green plum, green apple and lime blossoms. A delight on the palate, this wine finishes with a bit of a fizz. An easy-to-sip and easy-to-love wine, at a great price too, this is an ideal wine for a day in the park with its twist cab closure.
A bottle to have a conversation around the Wines of Substance Sauvignon Blanc is iconic with its eye-catching label. This is a wine made for those who love a good small-batch production. By Charles Smith and from the Frenchman Hills Vineyard in Washington’s Columbia Valley this is a wine that is explosive with notes of fresh-cut grass, flint and grapefruit, with a palate to match.
Cracking open a cold one is a staple for summer park moments. Ontario is home to some delicious and delightful craft brews. Magnotta’s Grand River Brewing Pale Ale is the latest addition to the brewery’s lineup of beers, layered with caramel notes with hints of malt, floral and citrus aromatics it is a perfect fit for the long weekend vibe.
Cheers To A Full Summer Of Cottaging
As the golden days of summer begin to wind down, it’s the perfect time to raise a glass and toast to the memories made during a season filled with cottage adventures. All done with drinks that can match everyone’s tastes, from those who are new to exploring their palate to the seasoned drink sippers.
Pinot Noir is made for those finer moments, sitting on a dock at a cottage is certainly one of them. The Domaine Queylus 2018 La Grande Réserve Pinot Noir is an award-winning wine after just being released this vintage. A wine that carries some mystery. A wine that you can sip and nose for an hour and the wine will change, develop and grow into a beautiful expression of itself; one of high-end Pinot Noir.
A wine made for sharing a story is the Domaine Du Sacré Coeur Cuvee Tradition Rouge 2020. From the AOC of Saint Chinian in Languedoc France, a region in the south of the country with a unique and captivating terroir this wine is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and old vine Carignan. Filled with plummy fruit and savoury pepper notes this is a wine that is simply meant to be shared
Being away at the cottage brings together all walks of life, some of which are still finding out the extent of their palate. It is difficult to bring together different likes but one bottle could, it would be the Barefoot Fruitscato. Fruit-filled and leaning on the sweet side in the finish it can be enjoyed on its own or turned into a delicious cocktail. A crowd pleaser all around for a night by the fire.
A good single malt can always be a cottaging staple. The Magnotta’s Canadian Single Malt 271 Whisky Oak Barrel 5 Years Aged was made with care and intention. This is a sipper to enjoy a slow weekend with. Aged In oak barrels for five years it shows an expression of chocolate and nutty flavours with toasted vanilla and dried fruit notes.
Lounging And Sipping Poolside
There’s something undeniably luxurious about spending a day lounging by the pool, and the experience becomes all the more exquisite with the right drink in hand. The gentle splash of water harmonizing with the clink of ice cubes sets the backdrop for ultimate relaxation and soaking up the sunshine.
Every good pool party needs a good party pack, preferably one that is pool-safe and ready to be enjoyed. The High Noon Pool Pack has got you covered. Made with vodka, real juice and sparkling water these hard seltzers have no sugar added. The Pool Pack includes the crisp and refreshing flavours of Grapefruit, Peach, Pineapple and Watermelon. These lively and sparkling drinks are best served chilled and by the pool.
For a more inclusive pool-side affair look no further than the Lautus De-Alcoholised Red, White and Rosé Canned Wines. Made in South Africa by winemaker Reg Holder, these canned wines can be found through Soft Crush. Pure, elegant and sumptuous the Lautus Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé and Red Blend are a great complement to a long weekend by the pool.
Summer cider is where it is at, and ciders taking on more than just apple flavours have been all the rage with the season. Coming in with a delicious and new rendition of the classic Magnotta serves up their Craft Raspberry Apple Cider. An ideal pool sipper, with a great complement of apple and raspberry flavours, it is a summer drink best served over ice.
A pool party is not a pool party without some good eating to match the day. If you are in for picking up food to-go and a drink to pair all in one shot for a day by the pool Milestones is a top recommendation. With a menu to suit many tastes, they have also started selling to-go versions of the Milestones Signature Original Bellinis. A summer drink with all the decadence of a poolside day.