{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6511c62fe7b19e00114600e0/6aee286a2dd74bda336e9e8c?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"2026 Ontario's Ultimate Wine - Part 1","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6511c62fe7b19e00114600e0/1794244896588-80d6bc99-1900-4d59-aef7-2624f934d03d.jpeg?height=200","description":"<h3><strong>Ontario’s Ultimate Wine 2026, Part 1: Eighteen Wines, Eight Places</strong></h3><p><br></p><p>Eighteen Ontario wineries. Eighteen wines. One title.</p><p><br></p><p>Ontario’s Ultimate Wine returns to <strong>Two Guys Talking Wine</strong>, with André and Michael joined by legendary Canadian wine writer <strong>Tony Aspler</strong> for a completely blind, randomly drawn tournament.</p><p><br></p><p>Each participating winery submits one wine it believes represents its best. From there, anything can happen: Chardonnay can face Cabernet Franc, sparkling wine can take on Pinot Noir, and price offers no protection from elimination.</p><p><br></p><p>In Part 1, we work through six opening flights before reshuffling the surviving wines for a second round. Along the way, we debate drinkability versus cellar potential, struggle to identify what’s in our glasses, and discover just how difficult it is to send a very good wine home.</p><p><br></p><p>Behind the scenes, Anja keeps the bottles concealed and the tasting moving—and Spencer lends a hand with the draw. What could possibly go wrong?</p><p>By the end, 18 wines have become eight. Next stop: the head-to-head quarterfinals.</p><h3></h3><h3><strong>In this episode</strong></h3><ul><li>How the blind tournament works—and why there are no easy matchups.</li><li>What happens when different grapes, styles, vintages, and price points compete.</li><li>The tension between a wine’s future potential and how it drinks today.</li><li>A Riesling that immediately demands attention.</li><li>A Chardonnay that keeps the judges guessing.</li><li>The opening rounds’ first split decision.</li></ul><p><br></p><h3><strong>The wines: opening flights</strong></h3><p><br></p><p><strong>Flight A</strong></p><ul><li>16 Mile Cellar — <strong>2019 Incivility Pinot Noir</strong></li><li>Divergence Wines — <strong>2020 Blanc de Blancs</strong></li><li>Meldville Wines — <strong>2024 Cabernet Franc, Grimsby Hillside Vineyard Block 275</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Flight B</strong></p><ul><li>Wending Home Estate Vineyards &amp; Winery — <strong>2020 Estate Vineyard Cabernet Franc</strong></li><li>Keint-he Winery and Vineyards — <strong>2023 Portage Chardonnay</strong></li><li>Henry of Pelham Family Estate — <strong>2024 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Flight C</strong></p><ul><li>Leaning Post Wines — <strong>2021 Cuvée Heritage</strong></li><li>CREW: Colchester Ridge Estate Winery — <strong>2024 Flagship Chardonnay</strong></li><li>Flat Rock Cellars — <strong>2024 Gravity Pinot Noir</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Flight D</strong></p><ul><li>Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery — <strong>2020 Ravine Reserve Merlot</strong></li><li>Palatine Hills Estate Winery — <strong>2021 Overtime Meritage</strong></li><li>Malivoire — <strong>2024 Three Rows Pinot Noir</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Flight E</strong></p><ul><li>Fogolar Wines — <strong>2024 Cabernet Franc White Label</strong></li><li>Horseshoe Cellars — <strong>2025 Kelson Block Riesling</strong></li><li>Sempre Mio — <strong>2024 Marsanne</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Flight F</strong></p><ul><li>Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery — <strong>2020 The Chestnut Tree Cabernet Franc</strong></li><li>Tawse Winery — <strong>2022 David’s Block Cabernet Franc</strong></li><li>Last House Vineyard — <strong>2025 Le Vin des Rois</strong></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Continue with Part 2 for the quarterfinals, semifinals, championship tasting, and bottle reveal.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>You can support us on Patreon here - <a href=\"https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine</a> ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.</p><p>You can email André at <a href=\"mailto:andre@andrewinereview.ca\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">andre@andrewinereview.ca</a> and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview</p><p>You can email Michael at <a href=\"mailto:michael@michaelpinkuswinereview.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">michael@michaelpinkuswinereview.com</a> and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy</p>","author_name":"Two Guys Talking Wine"}