If you’re a Chardonnay lover, the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C) is the place to be! This year’s event was nothing short of spectacular, bringing together producers and enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate the versatility and brilliance of this beloved grape. From deep dives into climate change and winemaking techniques to exclusive tastings and unforgettable winery visits, here’s a recap of our incredible i4C 2024 experience.
We’re Honoured to Receive the 2024 Wine Marketing Association of Ontario Journalism Award!
We were absolutely honoured to receive the 2024 Wine Marketing Association of Ontario Journalism Award at the Ontario Wine Awards. When we started Sparkling Winos eight years ago, it began with a personal curiosity about wine, a desire to learn about the fascinating and dynamic wine industry, a love of all things local, and a wish to bring our own voice to the conversation.
The Niagara Icewine Festival: A Weekend of Liquid Gold
If there’s one thing that can make a Canadian winter feel extra special, it’s Icewine—and the 2023 Niagara Icewine Festival delivered a spectacular celebration of this sweet, golden nectar. From exclusive tastings to creative cocktails and a breathtaking gala at Niagara Falls, the weekend was a true showcase of Niagara’s world-class VQA Icewine.
The Coolest Chardonnay Celebration: Highlights from i4C 2022
The International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C) is always a highlight on the Wine Country Ontario calendar, and this year’s event was extra special—it marked the long-awaited return of in-person celebrations! Over the course of a jam-packed weekend, we immersed ourselves in the world of cool-climate Chardonnay, experiencing world-class wines, exceptional food, and insightful discussions with top winemakers and industry experts.
Celebrating Chardonnay at The International Cool Climate Wine Symposium
After two years of postponements, we were beyond excited to finally take part in the ICCWS, which took place in the Niagara Region and was hosted at Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI). This multi-day conference brought together world-class winemakers, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss the latest advances in viticulture, winemaking, business, and sustainability for cool-climate wines.
Stratus Finds Its Sparkle
We’ve had our pulse on all things effervescent in Niagara for a while now, and it goes without saying that the region is producing some exceptional, world class sparkling wines. Stratus’ sparkling wine project has been something that we’ve heard a lot about (through the grapevine, if you will) over the years. Perhaps, you could call it Niagara’s worst kept secret. Luckily, Stratus’ foray into traditional method sparkling wine is no longer a secret with the launch of their 2013 Blanc de Blancs and its companion, the 2013 Brut Nature. The release of the 2013 Blanc de Blancs came to …
Holiday Wine 101: 10 Tips for Selecting Wine for the Holidays
Despite all the good cheer and festivity, the holidays can be pretty stressful – especially if you’re hosting and in charge of selecting the wine! So we’ve put together some helpful tips and tricks – call it Holiday Wine 101 if you will – to help take the stress and guess work out of selecting your wine for the holidays. Whether you’re hosting, or in need of the perfect host or hostess gift, these Top 10 tips will make your holiday wine shopping and experience as easy as can be!
The New 2019/20 Wine Country Ontario Travel Guide is Here!
The Niagara Peninsula appellation contains some of the most productive wine-growing areas in Ontario, shaped by the natural wonders of the Niagara Escarpment and the majestic Niagara Falls. According to Wine Country Ontario, the Niagara Peninsula provides ideal cool-climate conditions for wine growing and its diversity has resulted in the identification of 10 sub-appellations. Pretty cool, right? Some say that Niagara-on-the-Lake and the surrounding sub-appellation is the “Napa” of Ontario. While we tend to veer away from calling any place the “X of Y” because they tend to be less than meaningful, we do think there’s a little bit of …
Ring in 2019 with 19 Sparkling Wines under $19 dollars for NYE!
That’s right, you heard it here. You can absolutely ring in 2018 with plenty of quality sparkling wines that won’t break the bank on New Years’ Eve.
Gifts That POP! Holiday Bubbles for Every Budget
The holidays are all about family, friends and getting #festive! 🎉 But in between celebrating… the whole “gift giving” thing can be stressful. 🤦♂️ Thankfully, we’ve got the answer: Sparkling Wine! 😍 This year, we’ve put together a list of effervescent gift ideas for the Sparkling Wino on any budget. From stocking stuffers under $10, to a Methusela (or 6000mL bottle) worth over $10,000 (Oprah, you out there girl?), the options run the gamut so you can cross everyone off your shopping list. Looking for that perfect gift for your Grinch Grab or Hostess with the Mostess? We got you! …










