• The following Boschendal Chardonnay is $1. off the price shown now to June 21, 2015
Boschendal ‘1685’ Chardonnay 2013
WO Western Cape, South Africa $14.80 (367698) 14.0% alcohol
Boschendal has been making wine in the Franschhoek Valley for over 300 years. Tropical fruit, ripe apple, sweet vanilla and pear aromas precede a balanced, medium-bodied gusher of apple pie, pineapple and lemon curd with wisps of minerality and toasty oak. There’s good mouth feel and plenty of tang on the crisp, clean, refreshing finish. Good to go now with pan-seared freshwater fish—very good value here. (Vic Harradine)
Grange of Prince Edward ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir 2013
VQA Prince Edward County $16.95 (230227) 12.5% alcohol
This is balanced, sprightly and damn good value. Light-ruby hued with quiet aromas of earthy notes, spice and red berry fruit, this streaks across the palate with a laser-like stream of tangy Montmorency cherry, cranberry and notions of passion fruit. It’s light on its feet with nerve and verve and purity of fruit that lingers on the finish and aftertaste. Pour with grilled duck breasts or roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Ironstone ‘Obsession’ is $1. off the price shown now to June 21, 2015
Ironstone ‘Obsession’ Symphony 2013
California, $14.95 (295931) 12.0% alcohol
The Symphony grape was bred in 1981 by Dr. Olmo of UC Davis in California; Ironstone handles it beautifully. Alluring aromas of musk spice and rosewater introduce a semi-sweet, palate-bathing river of ripe mango, grilled pineapple and white nectarine. This is full of value, medium bodied with a gently flowing, creamy smooth aftertaste of tropical fruit and lemon pie filling. Pair with spicy Asian cuisine.
• The following Laurent Miquel Unoaked Chardonnay earns 7 bonus AirMiles now to June 21.
Laurent Miquel Pere et Fils ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2013
IGP Pays d’Oc, France $12.95 (157909) 13.0% alcohol
The Miquel family are eighth-generation winemakers still carrying on time-honored traditions while layering on carefully chosen modern techniques. Delicate aromas of orchard fruit and floral notes herald a mid-weight, satin smooth wash of lemony tang interwoven with ripe pear and lime zest. The finish is crisp and racy setting up a favourable pairing with breaded, pan-seared calamari rings. You have to like the price-quality balance tipped well in your favour. (Vic Harradine)
Rocca delle Macie ‘Riserva’ Chianti 2010
DOCG Chianti, Italy $15.95 (111641) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of sandalwood, black plum and pipe tobacco provide segue for a smoothly textured wash of briary berry and spice interweaving with passion fruit and wisps of fine-grained tannin. This is fruity, balanced and medium bodied. It finishes with more of the same—juicy with sweet and tang. Pour this value-packed gem with all your favourites—steak, burgers, wings and pizza. (Vic Harradine)
Rocca delle Macie ‘Vernaiolo’ Chianti 2013
DOCG Chianti, Italy $14.95 (269589) 12.5% alcohol
Dark berry fruit, leaf tobacco and toasty notes open a balanced, medium-bodied stream of red cherry, bramble berry and mixed spice. It’s lightly textured with a smooth, mellow, mid-length finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside lighter-styled red meat appetizers, pizza or spaghetti Bolognese. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Shingleback Sauvignon Blanc – Semillon is $2. off the price shown now to June 21, 2015
Shingleback ‘Haycutters’ Sauvignon Blanc – Semillon 2014
Adelaide Hills/McLaren Vale, Australia $15.80 (207365) 12.0% alcohol
Honeyed orchard fruit and lemony aromas make way for a mid-weight racy stream of ripe tropical fruit and lemon curd garnished with white grapefruit pith. It’s crisp, clean and refreshing with a mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour with pan-seared fish, grilled calamari or steamed mussels. Extremely good value once you apply the $2. discount. (Vic Harradine)
Strewn ‘Rogue’s Lot’ Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (65342) 12.9% alcohol
This is an even split of the two Cabs dishing up a heady nose of pipe tobacco, aromatic bitters and lively red cherry. It’s fresh and racy on the palate with a laser-like beam of boysenberry jam and red currant interwoven with pie cherry and passion fruit. This is medium bodied with a long finish and great tang throughout. This pairs and pours with lasagna, spicy wings or pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico is $2. off the price shown now to June 21, 2015
Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico 2012
DOCG Chianti, Italy $18.95 (741769) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of savoury roasted herbs mingle with piquant spice preceding a magical flow of racy red cherry and currant bathing the palate persisting through the finish and aftertaste. It’s very good value, balanced and light-mid weight with good persistence of fruit flavour throughout. This sips well on its own, but really shines with spicy manicotti, lasagna or pastitsio. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Tini Romagna Sangiovese is $2. off the price shown now to June 21, 2015
Tini Romagna Sangiovese 2013
DOC Romagna, Italy $10.95 (179432) 12.0% alcohol
Here’s a nifty number punching above its weight—good value here, especially after applying the $2. discount—it’s light on its feet with red fruit flavour and plenty of tang. Aromas of red berry fruit and wisps of tobacco dominate the nose on this N. Italian red. It streaks over the palate with red currant and cranberry flavour mingling with pie cherry and ripe red plum infusing the mid-lengthy, dry, racy aftertaste. Pour with pasta in tomato sauce, pizza or lasagna. (Vic Harradine)