Xinomavro Season is Here – Ktima Stergiou Just Dropped at LCBO
For the first time ever, Ontario gets to taste what Greece’s insiders have been whispering about for years: the breathtaking Xinomavro from Ktima Stergiou.
Mission accomplished. Welcome to Xinomavro season, Toronto.
Let’s be honest: Chardonnay has been the default white for so long that most Toronto restaurant lists read like a love letter to butter and oak. It’s time to break up (or at least see other grapes).
Here are three aromatic, acid-driven whites that deliver everything you love about Chardonnay — texture, food versatility, and that “wow” moment — without the monotony. All three are available right now at the LCBO and through Intra Vino’s consignment program.
Think Chablis met a sea breeze and decided to grow up on volcanic rock.
What it tastes like: Lemon zest, crushed stones, salty air, green apple, and a smoky finish that makes you feel like you’re standing on a cliff in Oia.
Why you’ll cheat: Razor-sharp acidity + a chalky texture that mimics premier-cru Chardonnay, but zero oak. It ages like a boss (10–15 years easy).
Pair it with: Anything that usually screams for Chardonnay — lobster rolls, truffle risotto, or creamy chicken supreme.
Steal right now: Nico Lazaridi Assyrtiko Cavalieri 2023 | LCBO #39959 | $28.95
Imagine Viognier and Gewürztraminer had a baby that went to finishing school.
What it tastes like: Peach blossom, jasmine, ripe pear, and basil on the finish. Medium body, slippery texture, zero bitterness.
Why you’ll cheat: It gives you that opulent mouthfeel people chase in California Chardonnay, but the aromatics are next-level and the alcohol stays civilized (12.5–13%).
Pair it with: Spicy Thai curry, smoked salmon blinis, or your cousin’s “experimental” turkey stuffing.
Steal right now: Filia Ghi Malagousia 2023 | INTRA VINO | $23.17 (Ask us about the magnum version for your holiday table — looks amazing with a ribbon.)
The love child of Moscato and Sauvignon Blanc that actually wants to hang out with dinner.
What it tastes like: Orange blossom, lychee, white peach, and a grapefruit-pith snap on the finish. Bone-dry despite the perfume.
Why you’ll cheat: It’s the aromatic rush people look for in oaked Chardonnay, but with zero makeup — just pure grape personality and screaming acidity.
Pair it with: Sushi, ceviche, or that goat-cheese-stuffed chicken you pretend is healthy.
Steal right now: Cinco Sentidos Torrontés 2018 | INTRA VINO | $22.17
Autumn arrives like a quiet invitation to slow down, gather around the table, and savor the season’s richest flavors. The air turns crisp, the leaves blaze in amber and crimson, and our palates crave dishes that warm from the inside out—roasted squash, sage-kissed turkey, wild mushrooms sautéed in butter. But a great fall meal is only half the story. The right wine transforms good into unforgettable. At Intra Vino, we’ve curated a portfolio that doesn’t just complement autumn—it elevates it.
Fall cuisine is defined by depth: earthy sweetness, gentle spice, creamy textures, and the subtle smokiness of open-fire cooking. Wine acts as both mirror and foil, amplifying what’s on the plate while cutting through richness or brightening subtle notes. A mismatched pour can flatten a dish; a thoughtful one creates harmony that lingers long after the last bite. This season, let your glass be the bridge between harvest and heart.
Few wines embrace fall’s versatility like our Panagiotopoulos Chardonnay. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in neutral oak, it strikes a perfect balance—ripe golden apple and pear on the nose, a whisper of toasted hazelnut, and a bright, clean finish that keeps every sip refreshing.
Pair it with butternut squash soup: The wine’s creamy mid-palate echoes the soup’s velvety texture, while its citrus edge lifts the natural sweetness of the squash.
Try it with herb-roasted chicken or pork tenderloin with apple-cider reduction: The Chardonnay’s subtle oak plays beautifully with woodsy herbs and caramelized fruit.
Serve alongside mushroom risotto or pumpkin ravioli in brown butter sage sauce: Earth meets elegance.
This isn’t a heavy, oaky Chardonnay that overwhelms—it’s a refined partner that lets autumn flavors shine.
While Panagiotopoulos steals the spotlight, our portfolio offers more ways to toast the season:
Light-bodied Portuguese reds (think spicy, brambly fruit) alongside grilled sausages or smoked brisket. Recommendation: XXVI Talhas Mestre Daniel Red - $26.95 LCBO# 46780
Off-dry Chenin Blanc with spiced apple crisp—its gentle fizz and touch of sweetness cleanse the palate between bites. Recommendation: Bougrier Vouvray Chenin Blanc -$18.95 LCBO# 253229
Aged Tawny Port with pecan pie or sharp cheddar—a classic cool-weather closer. Recommendation: Kranemann Tawny Port 10 YO -$45.95 LCBO# 34543
Every bottle in the Intra Vino collection is available for purchase through our portfolio. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, planning a cozy dinner for two, or simply want to sip something that feels like fall, we’ve got the perfect selection.
This autumn, don’t just eat seasonally—drink seasonally. Let Panagiotopoulos Chardonnay and our curated Intra Vino lineup turn every meal into a celebration of the harvest.
Intra Vino – Where great wine meets the moment.