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Early fall might just be the best time of year. The wasps that have plagued our picnics start to disappear, our favourite sweaters hug us in a cozy embrace and there are still plenty of days with warm weather and sunshine. Before it gets too cold to be outside at all and the sun starts setting at 4 p.m., we're soaking up every ounce of light we can get. And the best way to do that is with a glass of wine in hand.
Many Toronto patios operate well into the fall with heaters and partial enclosures left over from COVID days, and it seems like every other new Toronto restaurant opening is a wine bar serving rare vino. But after a jam-packed summer, we're ready to wind down with a bottle of wine in our own outdoor space. Whether surrounded by friends and family lingering late into the last warm evenings or solo sipping with a good book on a Saturday afternoon, this stellar wine list is perfect for basking in the last bit of summer.
Crack a bottle from this list, make a delicious summer dish or a vegan dinner recipe and enjoy the sunshine before it's gone.
9 wines to sip in the sunshine this fall
1. Saturday Sun Brilliant White Harvest VQA
$15.95
It's all in the name — there's nothing better than a sunny Saturday and this Ontario VQA wine is the perfect pairing. Dry and refreshing with fruity notes of citrus and melon, a glass of Saturday Sun Brilliant White is just what those those last warm days call for. Fire up the barbecue one last time for grilled chicken, make a beautiful caprese salad and enjoy al fresco with this white blend.
Ditch the boxed stuff — this fruit-forward sipper deserves the spot in your picnic basket. At just seven per cent ABV, and with notes of peach and grapefruit, it’s an easygoing companion to your charcuterie, sandwiches or fruit platter.
If you’re always adding ice to your vino, this cooler is for you. Made with VQA Vidal wine and raspberry juice, this carbonated tipple is equally enjoyable in a stemmed glass or straight from the can.
This 2022 Ontario chardonnay will have everyone oohing and ahhing at your next dinner party. Pair those ripe, fresh notes with a baller meal that’s every bit as sophisticated.
A beautiful bouquet of freshly picked herbs, citrus and tropical fruit blooms on the nose of this Kiwi sauv blanc. Its clean finish feels like a crisp fall afternoon. Pair this aperitif wine with salads or fish.
Every warm evening is a special occasion, so enjoy this bottle whenever your heart desires. Henry of Pelham’s new sparkling wine is VQA-certified, with bountiful and delicious peach and pear orchard flavours. Splash it atop a french 75, or serve on its own.
The latest of Aveleda’s Portuguese wines to arrive in the LCBO, this red shines with a soft mouthfeel and notes of dark cherries. It’s a versatile bottle that pairs equally well with a Thanksgiving roast, or a rich slice of chocolate cake.
Summer called, and this zippy sauvignon blanc from Lake Erie answered. Pair the bright notes of lime and tropical fruits with pesto pasta dishes or anything with fresh herbs. Freshly shucked oysters will also love the crisp minerality.
This wine’s verdicchio grapes have been carefully selected for generations. Savour its rich, tangy and mineral flavours; pair this straw-yellow glass with seafood or fresh vegetables.
