Niagara, Ontario


The Foreign Affair Winery, nestled in Vineland Station, Ontario, is a bold innovator in Canadian winemaking and a proud ambassador of the Italian appassimento tradition. Founded with a vision to marry Old World techniques with the vibrant terroir of Niagara, the winery has become renowned for crafting wines of remarkable depth, elegance, and character.

Under the guidance of winemaker René Van Ede, The Foreign Affair produces a striking portfolio—from powerful, full-flavoured reds to graceful, aromatic whites—all shaped by the partial drying of grapes before fermentation, a hallmark of the appassimento style. This patient, meticulous process concentrates flavours and textures, resulting in wines that are layered, expressive, and unmistakably distinctive.

Grapes are sourced from carefully selected Niagara vineyards, where the region’s cool climate and diverse soils provide the perfect canvas for experimentation and refinement. Each bottle reflects a harmonious blend of Italian heritage and Canadian innovation, offering a taste experience that is both familiar and refreshingly new.

The Foreign Affair Winery stands as a testament to passion, perseverance, and the art of crossing borders—where tradition and terroir converge, and where every wine tells a story of cultural exchange, craftsmanship, and the limitless possibilities of Niagara’s vineyards.

Vins inclus ce mois-ci

January 2026

2-Bottle Red & White: The Foreign Affair Chardonnay 2024, The Foreign Affair Dream 2023
2-Bottle Red: The Foreign Affair Dream 2023, The Foreign Affair Cabernet Franc 2023
2-Bottle White: The Foreign Affair Süssreserve Riesling 2024, The Foreign Affair Chardonnay 2024
2-Bottle Rosé & Sparkling: The Foreign Affair Sparkling Rosé Brut, The Foreign Affair Traditional Brut 2022

3-Bottle Red & White: The Foreign Affair Chardonnay 2024, The Foreign Affair Dream 2023, The Foreign Affair Cabernet Franc 2023
3-Bottle Red: The Foreign Affair Dream 2023, The Foreign Affair Cabernet Franc 2023, The Foreign Affair Syrah 2023
3-Bottle White: The Foreign Affair Chardonnay 2024, The Foreign Affair Süssreserve Riesling 2024, The Foreign Affair Traditional Brut 2022

6-Bottle Red & White: The Foreign Affair Chardonnay 2024, The Foreign Affair Dream 2023, The Foreign Affair Süssreserve Riesling 2024, The Foreign Affair Cabernet Franc 2023, The Foreign Affair Syrah 2023, The Foreign Affair Conspiracy 2023
6-Bottle Red: The Foreign Affair Dream 2023, The Foreign Affair Cabernet Franc 2023, The Foreign Affair Syrah 2023, The Foreign Affair Conspiracy 2023, The Foreign Affair Temptress 2023, The Foreign Affair Cabernet Merlot 2022

Chardonnay, 2024

Tasting Notes by Tony Aspler

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Vineyard: The Foreign Affair Winery
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol: ~13.0%
Residual Sugar: Dry
Volume: 750 mL

Quality Score: 90 – Enjoy now or cellar through 2026 to allow oak to mellow.

Wine Description

Appearance: Straw with green hue
Nose: Toasted spice, vanilla, apple, and a touch of flint
Palate: Mouth-filling apple and caramel notes, supported by oak and balanced acidity
Serving Temperature: 10–12 °C
Drinking Window: Now through 2026

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizer: Butternut squash soup with browned butter and sage
Cheese: Niagara Gold (semi-firm washed rind)
Main: Roast chicken with garlic and thyme
Main (Vegetarian): Creamy mushroom and leek gratin
Dessert: Apple galette with vanilla bean cream

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Dream, 2023

Tasting Notes by Tony Aspler

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Vineyard: The Foreign Affair Winery
Varietal: Merlot 59%, Malbec 15%, Cabernet Franc 13%, Cabernet Sauvignon 13%
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: Dry
Volume: 750 mL

Quality Score: 90 – Drink now or cellar through 2027 to allow further integration.

Wine Description
Appearance: Bright ruby
Nose: Cedary notes, plum and currant
Palate: Blackcurrant and plum with floral lift; firm but ripe tannins
Serving Temperature: 16–18 °C
Drinking Window: Now through 2027

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizer: Duck rillettes with cherry compote
Cheese: Clothbound cheddar (Ontario or Quebec)
Main: Braised lamb shanks with rosemary
Main (Vegetarian): Roasted eggplant moussaka
Dessert: Black forest cake with cherry kirsch

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Süssreserve Riesling, 2024

Tasting Notes by Tony Aspler

Geographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula
Vineyard: The Foreign Affair Winery
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Alcohol: 9.6%
Residual Sugar: Off-dry
Volume: 750 mL

Quality Score: 90 – Best enjoyed lightly chilled. Drink now for freshness.

Wine Description
Appearance: Straw with lime tint
Nose: Honeyed grapefruit and citrus peel
Palate: Zesty grapefruit and lemon with honeyed undertones and a thread of minerality. Light-bodied but firmly structured.
Serving Temperature: 8–10 °C
Drinking Window: Now through 2026

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizer: Shrimp summer rolls with lime and mint
Cheese: Grey Owl (ash-coated goat cheese)
Main: Thai lemongrass pork skewers
Main (Vegetarian): Sweet and sour tofu stir-fry with pineapple
Dessert: Lemon posset with honey drizzle

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Cabernet Franc, 2023

Tasting Notes by Tony Aspler

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Vineyard: The Foreign Affair Winery
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: ~13.5%
Residual Sugar: Dry
Volume: 750 mL

Quality Score: 91 – Enjoy now or cellar through 2027 to enhance complexity.

Wine Description
Appearance: Ruby red
Nose: Lightly floral with plum and oak spice
Palate: Savoury plum and blueberry with firm structure and a white pepper finish
Serving Temperature: 16–18 °C
Drinking Window: Now through 2027

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizer: Roasted beet salad with hazelnuts and chèvre
Cheese: Toscano or aged goat cheese
Main: Roast beef with wild mushroom jus
Main (Vegetarian): Eggplant involtini with tomato and basil
Dessert: Blueberry compote with dark chocolate shavings

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Traditional Brut, 2022

Tasting Notes by Tony Aspler

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Vineyard: The Foreign Affair Winery
Varietal: 75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 12.0%
Residual Sugar: Dry Brut
Volume: 750 mL

Quality Score: 90 – Serve chilled (6–8 °C). No decanting required. Best enjoyed now through 2026.

Wine Description
Appearance: Pale gold with persistent, elegant bubbles
Nose: Lemon zest, green apple, fresh bread dough, and almond biscotti
Palate: Crisp citrus and orchard fruit layered with subtle brioche and mineral tension; refined mousse and a long, clean finish
Serving Temperature: 6–8 °C
Drinking Window: Now through 2026

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizer: Oysters on the half shell with mignonette
Cheese: Triple-crème Brie or aged Comté
Main: Butter-poached lobster with lemon beurre blanc
Main (Vegetarian): Leek and potato tart with gruyère
Dessert: Lemon tart with almond crust

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Syrah, 2023

Tasting Notes by Tony Aspler

Geographical Indication: VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula
Vineyard: The Foreign Affair Winery
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: Dry
Volume: 750 mL

Quality Score: 92–93 – Serve at 16–18 °C. Enjoy now or cellar through 2028 for added complexity.

Wine Description

Appearance: Deep ruby-purple
Nose: Cedary mulberry and black pepper with a touch of oak spice
Palate: Richly extracted blackberry and plum layered with peppercorn and smoky spice; firm tannins with great balance and length
Serving Temperature: 16–18 °C
Drinking Window: Now through 2028

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizer: Charred lamb skewers with rosemary
Cheese: Toscano or aged Gouda
Main: Grilled venison chops or barbecued short ribs
Main (Vegetarian): Mushroom and lentil shepherd’s pie
Dessert: Dark chocolate tart with sea salt

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Temptress, 2023

Tasting Notes by Tony Aspler

Geographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula
Vineyard: The Foreign Affair Winery
Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Alcohol: ~14.0%
Residual Sugar: Dry
Volume: 750 mL

Quality Score: 90–91 – Serve at 16–18 °C. Best from 2025 onward.

Wine Description

Appearance: Deep ruby
Nose: Cedary, spicy black fruit with vanilla and oak
Palate: Rich black plum, blackberry and blackcurrant with ripe tannins and long finish
Serving Temperature: 16–18 °C
Drinking Window: 2025–2029

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizer: Bresaola with arugula and parmesan
Cheese: Piave Vecchio or aged sheep’s milk cheese
Main: Beef stroganoff or venison loin
Main (Vegetarian): Eggplant parmigiana
Dessert: Spiced plum tart

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Conspiracy, 2023

Tasting Notes by Tony Aspler

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Vineyard: The Foreign Affair Winery
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: ~13.5%
Residual Sugar: Dry
Volume: 750 mL

Quality Score: 89–91 – Serve at 16–18 °C. Drink now or hold through 2027.

Wine Description
Appearance: Deep ruby
Nose: Cedary bouquet with plum, blackcurrant, and a touch of mint
Palate: Richly extracted red and blackcurrant flavours, layered with oak spice and smooth tannins
Serving Temperature: 16–18 °C
Drinking Window: Now through 2027

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizer: Duck liver pâté on crostini
Cheese: Aged cheddar or Manchego
Main: Gourmet burgers or braised beef stew
Main (Vegetarian): Black bean and roasted pepper chili
Dessert: Dark chocolate with espresso nibs

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Amarose, 2023

Tasting Notes by Tony Aspler

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Vineyard: The Foreign Affair Winery
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: ~12.5% (estimated)
Residual Sugar: Dry
Volume: 750 mL

Quality Score: 89 – Drink now through 2026 while fruit is fresh.

Wine Description
Appearance: Pale pink
Nose: Lightly floral with red cherry
Palate: Medium-bodied with firm structure and cherry fruit; dry finish with elegance
Serving Temperature: 8–10 °C
Drinking Window: Now through 2026

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizer: Charcuterie with smoked duck and pickled cherries
Cheese: Fleur de Monforte (Ontario sheep's milk)
Main: Grilled shrimp with harissa glaze
Main (Vegetarian): Tandoori cauliflower steaks with raita
Dessert: Raspberry tart with almond crust

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Apologetic, 2019

Tasting Notes by Tony Aspler

Geographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula
Vineyard: Crispino Vineyard
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon 68%, Cabernet Franc 32%
Alcohol: 14.4%
Residual Sugar: Dry
Volume: 750 mL

Quality Score: 91–92 – Decant if drinking now. Hold through 2027 for peak expression.

Wine Description

Appearance: Deep purple-ruby
Nose: Spicy black fruit and toasted herbs
Palate: Dry and savoury with bold black fruit, lifted by acidity and peppery finish
Serving Temperature: 16–18 °C
Drinking Window: 2025–2029

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizer: Spicy lamb meatballs with tomato sauce
Cheese: Aged Asiago or Pecorino
Main: Peppercorn steak or lamb curry
Main (Vegetarian): Smoky eggplant stew with lentils
Dessert: Bittersweet chocolate and olive oil cake

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Cabernet Merlot, 2022

Tasting Notes by Tony Aspler

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Vineyard: The Foreign Affair Winery
Varietal: Cabernet Franc 55%, Merlot 36%, Cabernet Sauvignon 9%
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: Dry
Volume: 750 mL

Quality Score: 92 – Serve at 16–18 °C. Enjoy now or cellar through 2028.

Wine Description

Appearance: Ruby-purple
Nose: Spicy cedar with ripe blackcurrant and plum
Palate: Rich black fruit core with cocoa-like tannins and polished oak
Serving Temperature: 16–18 °C
Drinking Window: Now through 2028

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizer: Prosciutto-wrapped figs
Cheese: Grana Padano or aged cheddar
Main: Grilled lamb or dry-aged steak
Main (Vegetarian): Grilled portobello mushroom burger
Dessert: Dark chocolate truffles

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you use a new winery each month?

Yes, we partner with a different winery each month ensuring you receive a variety of VQA wines.

Who picks the wines?

We work together with the wineries and with our team of experts.

When was Foreign Affair Winery 2026 Subscription featured?

It was featured in January 2026.

Who ships the wines?

All wines are shipped by the wineries directly. To learn more, see how it works.

How can I subscribe to Foreign Affair Winery 2026 Subscription?

You can subscribe by going to wine club and choosing between red, white or mixed options.

What's the price of the subscription?

You can go directly to our product page to get the latest prices.

Can I give these as a gift?

Yes! we have an assortment of gift options. You can choose between a monthly gift delivery or a one-time gift basket.

Monthly Subscriptions

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