A Taste of Home: Celebrating Canada in Every Sip from Wine to Whisky

Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, heading to the cottage, or simply kicking back on your deck, Canada Day is a great reason to raise a glass to local flavour.

And who better to guide us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.

Hi Natalie!

Hi Tim, great to be back with you! These bottles here are more Canadian than a red plaid shirt and more delicious than a whole basket of beaver tail pastries.

Let’s kick things off with some wine, but first… trivia time! Let me know if you think this is true or false with your paddles: Pinot Grigio was once banned from being grown in Ontario.

False, but it was rare for a long time. Canada has been making wine since the late 1800s, but it was pretty rustic stuff. It wasn’t until the 1970s that noble grapes like Pinot Grigio were planted.

Peller Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio
Ontario

Now these classic wines come in more summer-friendly formats like these Tetrapaks from Peller Family Estates in Ontario. Perfect for the patio, poolside and camping.

The Pinot Grigio is zesty and refreshing with notes of citrus, green apple, and white peach. It pairs beautifully with seafood, salads and lighter cheeses like this Balderson Mature Havarti. The wine’s bright acidity cuts through the cheese’s buttery flavours faster than a lumberjack can holler timber!

Feel free to take a nibble of cheese to see how well it works.

Fun fact: Balderson has been making cheese in Canada for 140 years using 100% Canadian milk.

Peller Family Vineyards Cabernet Merlot
Ontario

I also have the Peller Family Estates Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, a full-bodied blend that’s smooth and juicy, with dark berries. It’s built for grilled burgers, ribs or this 1 Year Aged Balderson Cheddar.

That rich, nutty cheese elevates the fruit and spice in this wine. This pairing isn’t just a match; it’s a culinary duet. Think Joni Mitchell meets Leonard Cohen, but edible.

Supporting Canadian wineries and cheesemakers means investing in the families and farmers behind the labels.

What’s next in the glass and on the trivia board?

True or false: British Columbia’s Similkameen Valley is drier than the Napa Valley. And yes, I practiced saying Similkameen in the mirror 17 times this morning.

True! It’s one of Canada’s driest regions, with intense sunlight and fierce winds that make for concentrated, expressive wines like the Clos du Soleil Signature Red.

Clos du Soleil Signature
Similkameen Valley, BC

It’s basically the Canadian Rockies in liquid form. The winery specializes in Bordeaux blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot—bold, structured, and beautifully balanced.

They farm organically and biodynamically, letting the rocky soils and mountain sunshine through every sip. This is the kind of wine that tells a story that’s elegant yet powerful, like the landscape it comes from. Try it with a steak, grilled Portobello mushrooms, or a 2-Year-Old Balderson Aged Cheddar. They’re better together.

Looks like we’re moving into some Canadian spirits next.

Prince Igor Extreme Pickle Flavoured Vodka
Ontario

Yes, and let’s keep the trivia rolling: true or false: The Caesar was invented in Las Vegas in 1969.

False! It was actually invented in Calgary in 1969, and parliament made it Canada’s official national cocktail in 2009 which was probably the last time all parties agreed on something.

We have the Prince Igor Extreme Pickle Vodka from Ontario to give a Caesar a briny, peppery punch. It’s bold, savoury, and the perfect way to add a little heat to your long weekend. Think of it as the spicy sibling of the Bloody Mary, but with a Canadian passport.

Pair it with the Balderson Extra Old Cheddar.

What’s your final recommendation for Canada Day?

Seagram’s VO, Valleyfield
Quebec

I have Seagram’s VO, a Canadian whisky classic made in Quebec. It’s smooth, mellow, and rich with notes of caramel, toffee, and warm spice.

Trivia: true or false: the VO stands for: very original?

False! This was a tricky one. The “VO” stands for “Very Own,” a nod to Joseph Seagram’s desire to create a personal blend to celebrate his son’s wedding. It was such a hit at the reception that they turned it into a commercial release.

Enjoy this neat or on the rocks, paired with the Balderson Truffle Balderson Cheddar. The cheese’s intensity brings out the whisky’s depth—it’s sweet meets savoury with a whisper of smoke.