Chardonnay Redemption, Port Deep Dives & the Trouble with Wine Awards

Michael and André catch up on everything happening in Ontario wine right now — starting with an on-the-record correction: Michael does not hate Chardonnay (an amphora-aged Volta Chardonnay proved it). From there, the guys cover:Flat Rock's annual tasting – barrel samples from the promising 2025 vintage, and how far Ontario Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc have come since 2010Rosé report preview – André's tasting through 200+ rosés and sparkling wines for this year's report, plus a tangent into sangria seasonJudging the Experts Tasting – Michael's first time on the panel, the surprising sommelier-vs-winemaker splits on which Chardonnays advanced, and a memorable library tasting of aged Canadian wines (Creekside Lost Barrel, Quail's Gate, 16 Mile Rebel Pinot)Competition season wrap-up – results from the All-Canadian Wine Championship (including a surprise Sauvignon Blanc ice wine winner) and a pointed critique of the Ontario Wine Awards' medal inflation — 92% of entries took home a medal this yearPort talk – Kopke and Ramos Pinto tawny/LBV tastings, plus a port reduction recipe for braised lambWhiskey corner – a first taste of John Sleeman & Sons' new Copper Pot Irish-style whiskey, and more Nikka appreciationYou can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.You can email André at andre@andrewinereview.ca and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerviewYou can email Michael at michael@michaelpinkuswinereview.com and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.