Bodegas Castaño ‘Hécula’ Monastrell 2009
DO Yecla, Spain $11.95 14.0% alcohol
Formerly a Vintages Essentials and fashioned from dry-farmed, 60-year-old vines, this is a bargain. Aromas of cedar, dark berry fruit and toasty notes provide segue to this balanced and boldly flavoured beauty. It’s brimming with dark briary berry, red cherry and currant on the nicely textured palate and lingering, juicy, mouth-watering aftertaste. It’s medium bodied with sprigs of floral and herbs on the finish. (Vic Harradine)


Château des Charmes ‘St. David’s Vineyard’ Aligoté 2010
VQA St. David’s Bench $13.55 (296848) 13.0% alcohol
Sourced from a single, 3.5 acre block of low-yielding fruit, it’s balanced and brimming with flavour and charm. Pear, apple and mineral notes on the nose provide segue to a medium-full bodied, nicely textured river of flavour with good moderating acidity. Look for Granny Smith apple, ripe pear and citrus interlaced with slate on the palate infusing the crisp, balanced, refreshing aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)


Château des Charmes Gamay Noir 2009
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $12.55 (057349) 13.0% alcohol
Mixed spice, toast and dark berry fruit blend with vivid floral notes. This is wonderfully tangy with red berry fruit, spice-infused black plum and hints of blueberry. Mid weight and nicely textured, it rolls in silky-smooth waves on the aftertaste brimming with balanced, ripe fruit, spice and a dollop of charm. (Vic Harradine)


Paul Mas Estate ‘Nicole Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2010
IGP Pays d’Oc $14.95 (293134) 14.0% alcohol
With a near-even split of varieties, the nose offers woodsmoke, cola and cedar aromas. It’s lively, balanced and brimming with ripe fruit on the palate with black currant, dark, juicy cherry and black plum to the fore. Medium bodied with generous texture, the finish is balanced and lingering. Each sip’s as good as the one before; a seriously good red blend for a pittance. (Vic Harradine)


Movendo Moscato Non-vintage
IGT Moscato-Sicilia, Italy $12.95 (277244) 8.0% alcohol
Grape, floral and exotic spice on the nose, this light-on-its-feet, low-alcohol, 100% Moscato showcases a rush of delicious flavour—lemon chiffon pie, key lime and tropical fruit. It has good texture and a lingering, lovely aftertaste. Definitely suited for sipping, it’s a great partner with soft, white cheese, fruit flan or spicy Asian cuisine. (Vic Harradine)


Mirassou Pinot Grigio 2011
California $12.95 (274480) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of honeyed peach and floral notes with hints of lychee waft easily from the glass of this balanced and brimming-with-fruit beauty. Waves of spice-infused, ripe yellow plum and honey dew melon wash over the palate in generously textured waves persisting through the refreshing aftertaste garnished with lively citrus tones. Well made, well priced and well… delectable—take a sip and you’ll know why. (Vic Harradine)


Mirassou Pinot Noir 2011
California $12.95 (185249) 13.5% alcohol
Easy to understand why this is so popular, it’s balanced and boasting sweet, ripe fruit. Bramble berry, spice and cola on the nose, there are mid-weight, nicely textured waves of ripe black currant, spice-infused, sweet black plum and red cherry washing over the palate, infusing the lingering, balanced aftertaste. It’s poured well on its own or alongside roast chicken or duck. (Vic Harradine)


Pillitteri Estates Winery Cabernet Merlot 2010
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $12.95 (349191) 12.5% alcohol
This red blend opens with quiet aromas of savory herbs and hints of tobacco. Red cherry, currant and a solid underpinning of tannin wash over the palate infusing the drying finish moderated by good acidity. It’s light on its feet with nice texture and a craving to snuggle up to pasta in tomato sauce or pepperoni pizza. (Vic Harradine)


Pillitteri Estates Winery ‘Fusion’ Gewurztraminer Riesling 2011
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake (349126) $12.95 11.5% alcohol
Exotic aromas of Asian spice, rosewater and floral notes swirl from the nose of this light-medium bodied, perfumed blend. A wash of citrus, pineapple and perfumed nectarine brush the palate lacing the aftertaste with its tell-tale Gewürztraminer bite, that’s a good thing. It’s versatile at the table fronting up well to spicy Asian dishes, young creamy cheese or fruit flan. (Vic Harradine)


Pillitteri Estates Winery Pinot Grigio 2011
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $15.00 (146787) 12.0% alcohol
Floral, spice and orchard fruit on the nose, it dishes up a spirited wash of citrus tang—lemon pie filling and key lime mingling with green apple. Mid weight and nicely textured, this light-on-its-feet Grigio delivers a crisp, refreshing aftertaste. A good sipper, it also shows well with lighter-styled appetizers. (Vic Harradine)


Redtree Moscato 2011
California $11.95 (269951) 9.0% alcohol
Ripe apple and orange blossom aromas rip from the glass of this low-alcohol Moscato. The palate’s treated to a wash of sweet, ripe fruit with lemon yoghurt, ripe pineapple and succulent ripe pear to the fore. It’s light-medium bodied with nice mouth feel, a slight spritz on the tip of the tongue and a sweet, fruit-filled aftertaste. A good sipping wine and nice match with fruit flan. (Vic Harradine)


Reif Estate Winery Cabernet / Merlot 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (565713) 13.0% alcohol
An alluring nose of sandalwood and mixed berry fruit mingle with black plum on the nose of this mid-weight, textured red blend. Tangy red cherry, cranberry and ripe black berry flavour meld with savory herbs on the palate. This is medium bodied with good acidity It finishes lengthy with sprigs of savory, green herbs and a hint of tannin. (Vic Harradine)


Reif Estate Winery Chardonnay / Sauvignon Blanc 2010
VQA Niagara River $11.95 (65599) 13.0% alcohol
This opens with aromas of orange blossom, citrus and ripe pit fruit. Gorgeous waves of ripe yellow peach, pear and lemon zest wash over the palate in medium-weight, beautifully textured waves. It finishes balanced, crisp and refreshing brimming with charm and fruit-filled flavour. What’s not to like? Pick up a few. (Vic Harradine)