Jimmy's Best of Ontario, Canada

Join WLWS founder Jimmy Smith as he talks through the exceptional wines that are being crafted from cool climate Ontario in Canada. With the Niagara Peninsula being the focal point of grapegrowing and winemaking, bordered by the dramatic Niagara Falls and the impressive Lake Ontario (which is more like an ocean) it lies only around one hour from Toronto. Jimmy visits Ontario on an annual basis and has struck up a close relationship with the wonderful people at Wines of Ontario and the impressive winemakers of the region. Jimmy will showcase an array of impressive cool climate wines including premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Riesling and Cabernet Franc - all hand-picked by Jimmy himself!

These wines are rarely seen outside of Canada, and many are being imported specially for this tasting at West London Wine School. This a rare opportunity to taste world-class wines in the UK from an emerging wine region from people who are slightly obsessed about it!

Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
It's fair to say that Ontario is the epicentre of Canadian wine. Canada’s first commercial winery was established in 1811 near Mississauga, and the first Canadian estate winery on Pelee Island (in southwestern Ontario) in 1871. Today, Ontario is responsible for approximately two-thirds of Canadian wine production, the vast majority of which is from the Niagara Peninsula. While Ontario (and Canada in general) continues to be considered small in the global wine industry, there's been recent growing attention and appreciation for the cool climate wines that Ontario's passionate and innovative vintners are crafting. This is more impressive given that Ontario isn’t always the easiest place to make wine.

Ontario can experience extremely cold and long winters that can damage —and even kill — a vine. There's also risk of early and late frosts that don't plague other wine growing regions on the same latitudes (such as France). And if the cold winters weren't enough, the important Niagara Peninsula can be greatly impacted by the high humidity created from Lake Ontario, which can cause rot to spread quickly. However, these climatic challenges are just one part of the story and with risk comes reward! Ontario wines are now becoming world renowned for achieving a wonderful balance among acidity, alcohol and fruit expression. Ontario’s unique terroir is showcased in key varietals that thrive in the region, such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir.

Wines on Tasting:

Cloudsley Cellars, Pinot Noir, Homestead Vineyard, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, 2020

Bachelder, Gamay Noir, Wismer-Foxcroft, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, 2022

Creekside Estate, Iconoclast Syrah, VQA St David's Bench, 2020

Inniskillin, Cabernet Franc, Reserve, 2022

Leaning Post, Cabernet Franc, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, 2019

Leaning Post, Chardonnay, Senchuk Vineyard, VQA Lincol Lakeshore, 2021

Big Head, Chenin Blanc, VQA Niagara Lakeshore, 2021

Big Head, RAW Chenin Blanc, Smith Vineyards, 2022

Le Clos Jordanne, Chardonnay, Le Grand Clos, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, 2021