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Gretzky may be the biggest name in hockey, but these days, he's also scoring big in liquor stores. His Niagara-grown and -produced wines have become the fastest-selling VQA wines in Ontario. Wayne doesn't come home at night with purple feet, but he regularly tastes with Rob Power and Craig McDonald, and approves final blends. This winery, partnered with Creekside Estate Winery, has introduced a white and two reds. No. 99 Unoaked Chardonnay ($14) has graceful manoeuvres, gliding smoothly past the glottis into the esophagus. He scores! No. 99 Merlot and No. 99 Meritage ($16 each) rough me up a bit in the corners, they're both still young; by the end of next season, they should be in top form. Of all the products in the portfolio, the tastiest is No. 99 Vidal Icewine ($45). A portion of the profit goes to the Wayne Gretzky Foundation in support of youth hockey programs.
Bob Izumi Wines
St. David's, Ont., 905-682-8310, 877-269-6833; coyotesrunwinery.com; fishingforever.ca
Most Canadians recognize Bob Izumi as the TV fisherman from 20 years of syndicated radio and television broadcasts, but few people know he's also a terrific cook (his dad was a chef) who enjoys good wine. A few years ago, Bob teamed up with winemaker David Sheppard of Coyote's Run Winery to reel in a pair of special, food-friendly wines. The angler is hooking for his nonprofit foundation, Fishing Forever, which is committed to renewing and preserving Ontario's fishing waters for future generations. Bob Izumi White ($16) and Bob Izumi Red ($22) are bold-tasting premium blends. The white offers clean, crisp lemon-pear flavours complementary to most grilled fish. The red is ideal with gamey meats like bear, buffalo steak, moose sausage or beaver stew.
Read more in Food & Entertaining and Wine & Spirits
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