3 White Wine Pairings for Summer

Thanks to the country’s distinct northern seasons and diverse growing regions, Canadian vintners are producing deliciously crisp white wines. Here are three genius combinations for summer get-togethers. Sheila Flaherty has been Toronto’s go-to sommelier for over 10 years. She has worked at Momofuku and Mercatto Restaurants, and now handles importation and sourcing for Halpern Enterprises, an Ontario-based wine and spirits importer.

Best for: poolside pursuits
Rosewood Sussreserve Riesling 2015 + Mint Chocolate Popsicles This Niagara riesling has a balanced level of cool climate acidity with notes of lemon, ripe stone fruit and beeswax, which complements the sweetness of mint chocolate popsicles. Grown in 2015, this wine benefitted from a long ripening season, giving it a nice intensity and just enough of that natural riesling sweetness. Price: $14.95

Best for: classy cookouts
Norman Hardie Chardonnay 2015 + our Lindt BBQ Ribs Norman Hardie has become known as the vineyard that put Canadian wines on the map. This vintage in particular has some weight that balances well with meat. It contains layers of minerality due to the terroir of the Niagara Escarpment, on which the grapes were grown. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in French oak barrels, it’s full of rich, complex flavours. Price: $39

Best for: bubbly brunches
Hinterland Whitecap Sparkling Wine 2016 + Chocolate Chia Pudding with Banana Named after the white-capped mountains surrounding the vineyard, this sparkling wine from Prince Edward County is a blend of four grapes – riesling, pinot gris, muscat and vidal. Offering a well-balanced palate, this creamy sparkling wine with nice acidity pairs perfectly with a summer brunch of chocolate chia pudding. Price: $22