By Cork It Wine Making – North Vancouver
If there’s one thing we take seriously (and also have way too much fun doing), it’s our Limited Edition Wine Expert tastings. This year, we teamed up with our friends at Another U‑Brew for an epic night of commercial wine comparisons—our annual sneak peek into what’s coming in the Limited Edition lineup. And wow… these wines? Absolutely worth the goose hunt it took to find them.
We’re talking one-of-a-kind blends you won’t find in any liquor store—and trust us, we looked. Here’s the inside scoop on what we tasted, how they stacked up, and why you’ll want to snag your pre-orders before October 30th.
1. LE26 Pinot Gris Verdelho – Riverland, Australia
$280 | Available March 2026 | ~13% Dry | $9.33 per bottle
We kicked things off with a Bleasdale Pots Verdelho as our stand-in—lighter than the Limited Edition version, but still bright and tropical. The actual LE blend combines Pinot Gris + Verdelho, giving you lush pineapple, guava, and citrus with a silky, crisp finish. Think Riverland sunshine in a glass.
Pair it with Thai red curry, shrimp vermicelli, or goat cheese salad.
2. LE26 Blanc de Noir – Languedoc, France
$280 | Available January 2026 | ~12.5% Dry | $9.33 per bottle
A white wine made from black Grenache grapes—need we say more? We hunted high and low for this unicorn and found Secrets de Mar (Dominio de la Croix, Spain) at Marquis Wines ($40.24) as our best match. This would be a Blanc de blanc style as this wine was made using a hybrid white grenache grape. Crisp, zippy, and elegant with peach, grapefruit, and subtle spice. This one’s going to be the showpiece of summer.
Perfect with lobster risotto or grilled peach & mascarpone.
3. LE26 Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon – Argentina
$285 | Available February 2026 | ~14% Dry | $9.50 per bottle
Our comparison: Santa Julia Malbec Cabernet Franc, $28.49 at Liberty Wine Merchants. Juicy, dark, and peppery, this one had the whole crew swooning. Expect plum, blackberry, and spice in the real deal—structured, bold, and made for steak night.
Pairs with blue cheese burgers, Argentine asado, or mushroom flatbread.
4. LE26 Pinot Shiraz – Riverland, Australia
$285 | Available December 2025 | ~13.5% Dry | $9.50 per bottle
A rare blend that balances Shiraz power with Pinot charm. We used the d’Arenberg Stump Jump Shiraz ($24.71, Marquis Wines) as a stand-in—more full-bodied than what’s coming, but close in spirit. Expect cherry, plum, blackberry, and spice, wrapped in soft, silky tannins.
Great with pork tenderloin, tandoori prawns, or roasted roots.
5. LE26 Pacific Quartet Red – Multi-Regional Blend
$300 | Available April 2026 | ~14% Dry | $10 per bottle | With Grape Skins
The showstopper of the night. A global mash-up: Chilean Carménère, Australian Shiraz, California Cabernet Sauvignon, and New Zealand Merlot. We used MontGras Quatro ($18.49 + tax at Everything Wine) as a comparison, and honestly, it blew us away—body, depth, and flavour for days. The Limited Edition will include grape skins, making it even more luscious and full-bodied.
Pair with ribeye, smoky veggie kabobs, or gouda puff pastries.
The Verdict 🍷
We had a blast tasting through these commercial comparisons, snacking on an incredible spread of cheeses, baguette, pâté, and olives. Every bottle brought something special, but the group favourites? Pacific Quartet Red stole the show, and the Blanc de Noir is going to blow everyone’s socks off.
Why You Don’t Want to Wait
Limited Edition wines drop between December and April, and pre-orders close October 30th. These small-batch beauties are only available once a year, and when they’re gone—they’re gone. So, if you want to get your paws on these bottles, now’s the time.
And hey, with the BCL strikes making wine hunting a sport lately, remember—when you make your own, you’re never out of stock. 😉
Plus, at these prices? You’re sipping premium, globally sourced wines for less than $10 a bottle. Try finding that in a liquor store.
How to Get Yours
Come by Cork It Wine Making (1427 Crown St, North Vancouver) or shoot us a message to lock in your order.
Let’s make 2026 the year of great wine, good friends, and never running dry.
