Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.
Other Wines/Drinks
Magnetic Hill Winery Mystique, New Brunswick, Canada: Most of us treat the Thanksgiving turkey as an excuse for a second helping of cranberry sauce. Jeff and Janet Everett were strawberry farmers before they bought an old house in Moncton, said to be haunted, and started making fruit wine there. Mystique is one of the original wines from Magnetic Hill Winery, made from cranberries grown on their farm or close by. Raspberry and cherry swirl around a tangy core of cranberry, and there's more structure here than you'd expect from a fruit wine. It's crisp and refreshing. Serve it chilled with maple-glazed ham, or top it with a splash of soda for a Friendsgiving spritz. Food pairings: harvest turkey sliders, salty snacking board with prosciutto and aged cheddar. Drink: 2026 - 2027 10% MD 750 mL $15.50 Score: 90/100. September 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Broken Paddle Artisanal Whisky, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: The paddle on the label of this Ottawa Valley whisky nods to Whitewater Distilling's roots in river culture. It's broken on purpose, a symbol of Canadian ingenuity for finding a way forward when something snaps. Corn, rye and single malt whiskies from Canada are married together in barrels that once held bourbon. Roasted almond and ripe pear come first, then honey and vanilla bean, with a warm hum of rye at the end. Whitewater is a 1% for the Planet member, so 1% of its sales go to environmental groups. Set it out with sharp cheddar and apple slices before Thanksgiving dinner, or save a dram for the pumpkin pie. Whisky food pairings: sharp cheddar and apple board, maple-glazed ham, pumpkin pie, butter tarts. 37253 40% XD 222 mL $44.95 Score: 95/100. September 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Red Wine
Planters Ridge Winery Quintessence Red 2024, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada: Planters Ridge makes its wine in a timber-frame barn in Port Williams that's stood for more than 150 years. Nova Scotia gets plenty of credit for its crisp whites and sparkling wine. Quintessence, the winery's signature red, makes a convincing case for its reds too. It's a dry blend of Lucie Kuhlmann, Castel and Marquette, three grapes that thrive in cool climates. Blackberry and dark plum come wrapped in cedar and cracked pepper before a long, silky finish. Serve it slightly cool, at 16 to 18°C, with wild mushroom risotto at the harvest table. Food pairings: herb-roasted lamb, grilled flank steak. Drink: 2026 - 2029 13% D 750 mL $25.46 Score: 90/100. September 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
White Wine
Toi Toi Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Marlborough, New Zealand: Founded in 2006 by the Joyce and Bonner families, Toi Toi has grown into one of Marlborough's top 25 wineries by volume and was among the first New Zealand producers to release a sparkling Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Tropical fruit, gooseberry, lime zest, and a fresh herbal character with a full-flavoured, vibrant palate of green mango and crushed stone carries to a long, persistent finish with lively, mouth-watering acidity. Drink it now through 2027 with warm goat cheese salads, grilled whitefish, or grilled prawns. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: salads topped with warm goat cheese and baby beets, grilled whitefish, grilled prawns. Drink: 2026 - 2028 32554 13.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 96/100. September 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart