Beso de Vino ‘Selección’ 2009
DO Cariñena, Spain $9.95 (231787) 13.5% alcohol
Dark berry fruit, roasted herbs and spice dominate the aromas of this well-balanced, value-packed red blend—85% Syrah-15% Grenache. There’s tangy, juicy, spice infused fruit on the palate and lingering aftertaste with black currant, sweet ripe mulberry and red cherry to the fore. There’s good mouth feel and just a wisp of well-integrated oak adding interest and structure. Pairs well with gourmet sausage, meat-laden pizza and just about any grilled red meat you pull off the Weber. (Vic Harradine)


Château des Charmes ‘Estate Bottled’ Cabernet-Merlot 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $12.95 (454991) 13.0% alcohol
Charred toast, underbrush and spice aromas presage a juicy, tangy rush of red cherry and cranberry interwoven with savoury herbs that bathe the palate. It’s mid weight with good texture and a lip-smacking finish underpinned by supple tannin. There’s good moderating acidity throughout making it a versatile food partner with meat-laden pizza, gourmet sausage or pasta in tomato-based sauce. (Vic Harradine)


John Howard ‘Megalomaniac – Homegrown Red’ 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (260364) 13.0% alcohol
This 70% Cabernet-30% Merlot blend jumps from the glass with spice, cedar and underbrush aromas mingling with savoury herbs. There’s sweet berry fruit galore—cherry, bramble berry and black currant. It’s mid-full bodied with good mouth feel and a sweet, lengthy fruit-laden finish. This is paired perfectly with grilled back ribs slathered with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)


Painter Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 

California $13.05 (219113) 13.0% alcohol
Black plum, toast, dark berry fruit and kitchen spice on the nose, this rambles over the palate with a mélange of balanced flavours—black currant, cherry and spice-infused boysenberry. It’s medium-full bodied and sports a lingering fruity finish that’s mouth-watering good. It gained its final ½ star on value. Pour with gourmet burgers, spaghetti Bolognese or spicy wings. (Vic Harradine)



Painter Bridge Chardonnay 2010 

California $12.95 (230516) 13.2% alcohol
This opens with an involved nose of apple, pear, vanilla and spice. The palate’s treated to a gusher of sweet ripe fruit—peach, yellow plum and honeyed, poached pear. It’s medium-full bodied with generous mouth feel and a lengthy balanced finish adorned by spice and citrus tang. Lovely sipped on its own it has the charm and oomph to pair well with roast chicken or turkey. (Vic Harradine)


Rocca delle Macie ‘Campomaccione’ Morellino di Scansano 2008
DOCG Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany, Italy $12.95 (253831) 14.0% alcohol
Punching well above the price, this dishes up a delightful glass of fresh, fruity red that’s smooth and flavour-packed. Look for aromas of dark incense and cherry followed by a palate-bathing wash of dark berry fruit, red currant and savoury spice. It’s nicely textured with a refreshing, balanced, fruity aftertaste. Pour alongside white pizza, ribs, burgers or pasta in tomato-based sauce. (Vic Harradine)


Ste. Michelle ‘14 Hands - Hot to Trot - Red Blend’ 2008
Washington State $14.95 (226522) 13.5% alcohol
A rich bouquet of exotic spice, cedar and mixed, dark, field-berry fruit spills from this mid-weight, well-textured gem. Luscious ripe sweet fruit abounds with mulberry, bramble berry and dark juicy cherry to the fore. The fruit-laden aftertaste layers on savoury herbs and wonderful moderating acidity. This earned its final half star on value. (Vic Harradine)


Winzer Krems ‘Sandgrube 13’ Grüner Veltliner 2009
Niederösterreich, Austria $11.95 (589002) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of floral, orchard fruit and hints of mineral open this light-medium bodied GV. Crisp and refreshing throughout, there’s a solid backbone of acidity carrying along palate-bathing flavours of racy lemon and tangy white grapefruit. Fashioned as a well-priced, enjoyable aperitif or suitable companion for lighter appetizers or sea food, it fulfills its mission admirably. (Vic Harradine)


Zvy-Gelt Zweigelt 2009
Lower Austria $12.95 (232348) 13.5% alcohol
Here’s a partner for the white wine ‘Grooner’, the popular Grüner Veltliner—they could become your white and red ‘house wine’. There are loads of spice and dark berry fruit aromas providing an introduction to a medium-bodied nicely textured wash of red cherry, ripe mulberry and spice-infused black plum flavour. It’s refreshing, easy on the wallet and sporting a balanced tangy finish. (Vic Harradine)