Argento Pinot Grigio 2015
Argentina $17.95 (406850) 1500 mL 13.0% alcohol 
There are few wines better at the price and this magnum, with 1500 mL, puts the price less than $9 for a 750 mL bottle—a $2. saving on the price of two bottles of 750 mL—go for the gusto. Honey and floral notes on the nose, it bathes the palate with a medium-bodied, lively wash of refreshing lemon curd and hints of caramel with splash of grapefruit on the crisp and refreshing finish. It pairs and pours well alongside pan-seared fish and grilled seafood as well as roast chicken and pork roast. (Vic Harradine)

  
Ara Pathway Pinot Noir 2013
Marlborough $16.95 (416230) 13.0% alcohol
This lightly oaked, fruit-forward semi-transparent Pinot is a lovely find, offering bright lifted aromas of sun-ripened red fruit with a whiff of spice and earth. Dry, medium bodied, the focused flavours of red cherry and berry deliver good concentration; the level of acidity is nicely balanced, while elusive nuances of cinnamon toast, smoke and earth add intrigue. With its tasty, fruit-filled finish, it’s a great value and a fine choice to serve with salmon burgers or grilled pork tenderloin. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Ara Pathway Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Marlborough, South Island $14.95 (416222) 13.0% alcohol
This family owned vineyard sources all fruit from its single estate in the Wairau Valley. Pronounced aromas of ripe pineapple and passion fruit are backed by asparagus and herbal notes which replay on the palate. It’s medium bodied and dry with a long, zesty citrus finish. Pair with pan-seared white fish with lemon. (Lisa Isabelle)

  
Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Marlborough, South Island $15.95 (620054) 13.0 % alcohol
2016 marks 100 years with 3 generations of family winemaking at Babich. The fruit is sourced from several vineyards and blended to offer aromas of grapefruit and passion fruit accented with hay and a stony minerality. Riper tropical flavours and lemon adorn the palate. It’s value-packed, medium-light bodied, dry with a crisp, cleansing finish. (Lisa Isabelle)

  
Henry of Pelham ‘Old Vines’ Baco Noir
VQA Ontario $19.95 (459966) 13.5% alcohol
Fruit was sourced from 30-year-old, shovel-planted vines—hand dug by the Speck brothers, owners of Henry of Pelham—and aged 14 months in new and seasoned American oak barrel. Tar, exotic spice and campfire smoke aromas abound. This bathes the palate with a rich, luscious wave of black berry fruit, ripe dark plum and sweet black Bing cherry. There’s deft balance, good structure and persistent purity of fruit. It’s mid-full bodied, excellent value with good mouth feel and a tangy, lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)

  
Kacaba ‘Unoaked Chardonnay’ 2015
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (326975) 12.5% alcohol
Ripe fruit—peach and pear—and crisp green apple aromas herald a mid-weight, gorgeously textured river of piquant spice and tang-laden fruit—pineapple, lime-soaked peach and lemon curd. There’s persistent purity of fruit throughout without any oak influence. It finishes clean, refreshing and lip-smacking good. It pours well with seafood, chicken or pork. This is a very good wine at a very good price. (Vic Harradine)

  
Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Hawke’s Bay, North Island $16.95 (619452) 13.0% alcohol
This wine from Matua, which means head of the family in Maori, is from the warmer North Island. Aromas of ripe melon and pineapple are complemented by fresh cut grass and tart green apple. The palate is bathed in vibrant red grapefruit and lemon. Its medium-light bodied and dry with a mouth-watering finish. (Lisa Isabelle)

• The following two wines are not to be confused with Prosecco and are not from Italy. The ‘Hugo’ has wine, sugar, citric acid and natural flavours in its ingredients and the Iced Melon is ‘infused with the floral bouquet of elderflower, iced mint and watermelon’ with wine, sugar, citric acid and natural flavours added. Winecurrent points this out only due to the novelty for there to be flavour and aromas added to wine. They are meant to be light, easy drinking and full of party-time, summer fun. And… they’re very low alcohol.

 
Perisecco ‘Hugo’ Sparkling Wine Non-Vintage
Germany $11.70 (448514) 5.5% alcohol 
This is a fun drink for summer gatherings and other party events. Aromas of floral, notes, lime and mint precede a sweet wash of lime cordial and Turkish delight confectionary carried along on a profusion of bubbles. Give it a go with crushed ice, tonic water and a sprig of mudlled mint. (Vic Harradine)

 
Perisecco ‘Iced Melon’ Sparkling Wine Non-Vintage
Germany $11.70 (448506) 5.5% alcohol
This is a fun drink for summer gatherings and other party events. Aromas of cherry and bubble gum herald a bubbly river of cherry cordial and red berry jam along with grilled, sugared ruby red grapefruit on the finish and aftertaste. Serve chilled over ice with mint and a slice of watermelon. (Vic Harradine)

  
Saint Clair Family Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Marlborough, South Island $16.95 (237255) 13.0% alcohol
Prominent aromas of lemon/lime and passion fruit are complemented by asparagus and fresh herbal notes. Succulent favours of citrus and tropical fruit and mingle on the deftly balanced palate. It’s dry, medium-bodied and finishes long with bright citrus flavours. Pair with shrimp salad with lime vinaigrette. (Lisa Isabelle)

  
Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2014
Marlborough $19.00 (54353) 13.5% alcohol
Notions of capsicum, earth and fresh-picked beet layer on the appealing aromas of red berry, cherry and spice. Dry, medium bodied, this wine tickles the palate with notes of spice and white pepper, then delivers a lovely wash of red cherry and currant underpinned with delicate tannins, clean acidity and a mineral quality. The peppery note brings a touch of warmth through the lasting finish. A tasty wine that will pair nicely with grilled salmon. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Villa Maria ‘Private Bin - Lightly Sparkling’ Sauvignon Blanc 2015
New Zealand $17.95 (429969) 13.0% alcohol
The pungency of gooseberry and citrus, herbs and a vegetal note are nicely accented by the soft, delicate mousse of this approachable mid-weight sparkler. Nice and dry, lively with clean, classic flavours of passionfruit and capsicum, lemon zest and grapefruit pith, it’s well-made and consistent through the bright, refreshing finish. Enjoy it with an appetizer of goat cheese with olive oil, lemon juice and zest and fresh herbs. (Susan Desjardins)

  
White Cliff Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Marlborough $14.90 (610972) 12.0% alcohol
There’s a rush of aromas from the glass—nettles and fresh cut grass, gooseberry, citrus and a tropical note. The tangy citrus brings a touch of sweetness—imagine grapefruit and orange segments combined—mingling with classic gooseberry and replaying the subtle herbal notes. Silky smooth and balanced, this easy-drinking mid-weight wine serves up a nice dry finish. Great value! (Susan Desjardins)

  
Whitehaven Pinot Noir 2013
Marlborough $24.10 (245696) 14.0% alcohol
Aged 11 months in French oak (about one quarter new), this offers lifted aromas of spiced rose, ripe cherry, spice and a touch of vanilla. Spicy and warm, fruity yet dry, framed by fine supple tannins and fresh acidity, this lavishes the palate with flavours of cherry compote and fresh-cooked raspberry, the long-lasting fruit flavours mingling with baking spice on the finish. Showing concentration, weight and balance, this has the heft to be savoured with grilled beef tenderloin. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Marlborough, South Island $18.95 (308288) 13.0% alcohol
There’s very good value here. Fresh tropical fruit and herbaceous notes are integrated to display aromas of pineapple and passion fruit complemented with sweet pea and fresh cut grass on the nose. The palate is a lively blend of citrus, passion fruit with a stony, almost salty, minerality. This well-balanced white is dry, medium bodied with a long, racy citrus finish. (Lisa Isabelle)