Château des Charmes Gamay Noir 2014
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $13.95 (57349) 12.7% alcohol
Quite aromatic, this violet-hued Gamay tickles the nose with a touch of spice, red currant and berry with hints of beet and tomato leaf. Dry, on the light side of medium bodied, the fresh juicy texture and lively acidity frame flavours of tangy red berries and cherry with savory notes of spice, capsicum and earth. Offering a mouth-cleansing, dry finish, it’s versatile, easy-going and pours well with BBQ chicken, salmon or Provençal salad with duck. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Montes ‘Twins’ Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
DO Colchagua Valley, Chile $12.95 14.0% alcohol
Here’s a food-friendly, crowd-pleasing blend just in time for summer/fall grilling—pairs well with burger, steak, gourmet sausage. Aromas of black currant and spice roll off this nicely textured red. It bathes the palate with a spicy river of red fruit—cherry, currant and raspberry. There’s good tang and acidity on the balanced finish. (Vic Harradine)

   
Honoro Vera Garnacha 2014
DO Catalayud, Spain $12.95 14.5% alcohol 
This Garnacha, aka Grenache, from sunny Spain, dishes up a sumptuous wash of ripe, juicy fruit—black and red currant—garnished with piquant spice, savory herbs and oodles of delectable tang. Pours well on its own and excels with pasta in tomato sauce, meat-lovers pizza or spicy ribs. Terrific value here. (Vic Harradine)