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Château des Charmes Gamay Noir 2016

VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $15.95 (57349) 13.0% alcohol
Red berry fruit and blueberry aromas introduce this friendly lighter-styled gem. It dishes up a smooth and mellow stream of palate-bathing flavour—black and red currant and bright red cherry supported by excellent balance and no rough edges or tannin. Easy on the wallet and versatile at the table, this is drinking beautifully now on its own or paired with deli board, charcuterie or white pizza. (Vic Harradine)

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Honoro Vera Rueda 2015
DO Rueda, Spain $12.95 (533224) 13.0% alcohol
This is alluring, perhaps sexy, with wonderful aromas of honeysuckle, peach, exotic incense and spice. It bathes the palate with a balanced, full-flavoured wash of honey-drizzled pear and apple decorated with piquant spice, minerality and citrus tang. This is medium bodied with good mouthfeel and a long lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Pour on its own—chilled not cold, take from the fridge twenty minutes before pouring—or with seafood, chicken or pork. It’s great value. (Vic Harradine)

• Nathalie Bonhomme, originally from Montreal, Canada, launched her own wine label—Beau bonhomme—in Spain through a partnership with Bodegas Juan Gil. The following 2015 Beau bonhomme is certified organic, sourced from 100%, 25-year-old monastrell, aka mourvèdre, vines. Her wines are highly acclaimed as value wines.

87  
Beau bonhomme 2015
DOP Jumilla, Spain $13.95 14.0% alcohol
Light-ruby hued, aromas of spice, herbs and red cherry/berry fruit waft from this 100% monastrell, aka mourvèdre. A tang-laden gusher of ripe, candied cherry, piquant spice and kirsch liqueur interweave with light touches of racy cranberry and peach skin. It lingers on the finish with racy red fruit, some red grapefruit pith and sharp spice. This is value-packed and really ratchets up with comfort food—red pizza, pasta in tomato sauce, lasagna or burgers. (Vic Harradine)