Cattail Creek ‘catastrophe’ 2012
VQA Four Mile Creek $13.95 (260349) 12.5% alcohol
Proceeds from this wine support Lincoln County Humane Society’s program to spay and neuter feral cats. Seductive aromas of exotic spice, lychee and floral notes herald an explosion of flavour that rolls in endless waves across the palate with sweet tropical fruit, white peach and lemon pie filling to the fore. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel, fleshy and brimming with flavour and charm. A lovely aperitif wine. Order for daily home or office delivery, by the case, from Cattail Creek. (Vic Harradine)


Château des Charmes Chardonnay Musqué 2010
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $16.95 (322016) 13.5% alcohol
Most of the estate vines used in this award-winner are 15-20 years old, yielding an attractive golden hue and aromas reminiscent of Viognier—pineapple, apricot, spice and white flowers. Dry, smooth and satiny in texture, it has great body and depth of flavour. The spice replays, the acidity creates a lively frame and ripe, rich tropical and stone fruit flavours coat the palate. The spice and a charming note of pithiness linger on the finish. Beautifully crafted, tasty and refreshing, you’ll enjoy this wine with seafood or salad with grilled chicken. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Château des Charmes. (Susan Desjardins)


Château des Charmes ‘St. David’s Bench Vineyard’ Gamay Noir ‘Droit’ 2010 

VQA St. David’s Bench $14.95 (582353) 13.0% alcohol 

This is complex, structured, simply delicious and was propagated from a clone discovered in their vineyard, it’s Canada’s first vinifera vine. Aromas of blueberry, cherry and spice mingle with wisps of pipe tobacco on the alluring nose. Medium-full bodied and generously textured, waves of sour cherry and ripe black currant interlace with roasted herbs and black pepper. The finish lingers with a solid core of ripe fruit, fine-grained tannin, good moderating acidity and oodles of charm. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Château des Charmes. (Vic Harradine)


Featherstone ‘Canadian Oak’ Chardonnay 2011 

VQA Twenty Mile Bench $21.95 (149302) 13.0% alcohol
Kitchen spice, sweet vanilla and wisps of nuttiness pave the way for a beautifully textured, almost creamy, river of nutmeg, ginger, ripe, sweet pear and racy citrus. It’s medium bodied and balanced on a pin with a lengthy, delightful aftertaste of vanilla and wisps of spiced oak barrels hewn from nearby trees. Excellent now, even better when knit together 12 months down the road. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Featherstone. (Vic Harradine)


Featherstone ‘Joy – Premium Cuvée’ Sparkling Wine 2009 

VQA Twenty Mile Bench $34.95 (310334) 12.5% alcohol
You’ll love the bottle and closure and it only gets better when you taste it. Toasty notes, sweet, ripe pit fruit and citrus aromas presage frothy bubbles and a robust wash of key lime pie, minerality and ripe Meyer lemon. It’s racy, clean and crisp on entry then mingles with riper notes of sweet, grilled pineapple and white peach. This pleasurable transition leads to a balanced and beautiful, refreshing finish. There’s excellent value in this traditional-method, vintage-dated, delectable, sparkling wine. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Featherstone. (Vic Harradine)