If I Could Buy Only One – January 24th Vintages Release
We asked our writers,“If you could buy only one wine from the January 24th release, which one would it be and why?”
Huber Vision Organic Grüner Veltliner 2024, Qualitätswein, Niederösterreich, Austria
$19.95, Rogers & Company
John Szabo – Considering the the topic of my article this past week, Tasting Climate Change, my only one could only be an earth-friendly, organic wine. After taking over the family winery in 2000, 10th-generation winemaker Markus Huber set about converting vineyards to organic farming, his “Vision”. The wine a blend of parcels, and a rather tasty and succulent grüner at that. It’s bursting with fruit and immediate appeal — hard to resist the pure citrus and pear fruit, designed for enjoyment in the flower of youth. And that it’s produced responsibly and packaged in a lightweight bottle makes it taste even sweeter.
The Winery Of Good Hope Full Berry Fermentation Pinotage 2024, Coastal Region, South Africa
$16.95, Nicholas Pearce Wines Inc.
Megha Jandhyala – Of all the wines I tasted from the most recent Vintages release, this wine left a particular impression on me. It is my “only one” this week because it represents a rare trifecta – good value, genuine charm, and universal appeal. Made with minimal intervention by fermenting whole pinotage berries, it is vivid and bright, brimming with red fruit flavours, including candied cherries and ripe strawberries. Fresh herbs and hints of smoky flint stones add dimension to this composition. At under $20, it is a fitting wine to serve chilled at parties, as an aperitif or paired with light vegetarian fare. It is also an appropriate pairing for casual weekday dinners.
Sara d’Amato – If you’re looking to ease into the weekend, here is a wine that proves that sometimes not trying too hard pans out. No grandeur, no excess, just crowd-pleasing, authentic expression of the variety and its place. Made using carbonic maceration (whole berries) and well-priced, it’s effortless glou glou charm, clean, open and generous with supple tannins and a persistent finish.
Leaning Post The Fifty Chardonnay 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
$26.95, Leaning Post Wines
Michael Godel – Love me a good deal in high quality Ontario chardonnay. This wine is named for the “50 Road Settlement,” in the former Township of Saltfleet, originally planned as a small farming hamlet due to its proximity to a large creek. Originally the 50-50 wood and steel raised chardonnay from Leaning Post but times and methods change, concrete came into the mix and today the Fifty is clean, precise, pure and unadulterated chardonnay. Loving the 2023’s weight, lithe and lean but then nimble, elastic and malleable for every reason you could want to drink Winona chardonnay.
Cloudsley Cellars Pinot Noir 2021, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario
$36.95, Noble Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
David Lawrason – This is surprising and somehow bewitching. It pours so very pale and mature garnet that doubt is created. But there is far more going here than appearance suggests, and by the time you get to the finish you are hooked. The nose is very lifted and complex with classic Niagara pinot sour cherry jam, toast, dried herb/shrubby notes. It is light to medium bodied, mild mannered yet warm and generous. There is a sour-edge, but tannins have melted away leaving an almost satiny texture. And then on comes the excellent length. Best now through 2029. Adam Lowy is a true terroir seeking specialist, focused in and around the Twenty Mile Bench near Vineland. Tasted January 2026
Use these quick links for access to all of our January 24th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-premium members can select from all release dates 60 days prior.
John’s Top Picks – January 24th
Lawrason’s Take – January 24th
Michael’s Mix – January 24th
Sara’s Selections – January 24th
Megha’s Picks – January 24th
