89  
Château des Charmes ‘Estate Grown & Bottled’ Sauvignon Blanc 2017
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $15.95 (391300) 12.5% alcohol
Intense aromas of gooseberry, tropical fruit and white citrus abound. It bathes the palate with a balanced wash of sweet fruit and tang—white nectarine meets Key lime and mineral notes... it’s love at first sight. This is full of value, light-medium bodied with excellent flavour throughout, a lingering, refreshing finish and plenty of charm. Pour as a delightful sipper or paired with olive-oiled mesclun greens under crumbled chèvre or full deli board. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2016 Château des Charmes ‘Estate Grown & Bottled’ Cabernet-Merlot is 40% cabernet franc/40% cabernet sauvignon/20% merlot and spent 9 months maturing in seasoned French oak, no new.

88  
Château des Charmes ‘Estate Grown & Bottled’ Cabernet-Merlot 2016
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $15.95 (556951) 13.0% alcohol
Dark cherry, grilled herbs and exotic spice aromas provide segue for a smooth, mellow flow of balanced flavours with red cherry, bramble berry and excellent tang coalescing on the palate, persisting through the dry, mid-length finish and aftertaste. It’s medium weight with structure and plenty of pairings—grilled red meat, roast chicken or pork, red pizza, fajitas or mac and cheese. (Vic Harradine)

87   
Henry of Pelham Riesling 2017
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (268375) 11.5% alcohol
This pours with lively aromas of honeyed orchard fruit, citrus notes and a bit of spritz. Sweet and tang develop on the palate, first with flavours of ripe pit fruit then soft citrus notes of lemon pie filling and Key lime yoghurt. It’s light-medium bodied with good mouthfeel and a lengthy dry, mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour alongside white 3-cheese pizza or deli platter. (Vic Harradine)

88   
Red House Wine Cabernet/Shiraz 2017
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (219030) 13.5% alcohol
This nifty red blend—67% cabernet franc/17% shiraz, 16% cabernet sauvignon—offers aromas of Christmas cake spice, red cherry and balsamic notes. It blankets the palate with intense, dense flavours—black currant jam, plum compote and mincemeat adorned with notions of dark toast. It finishes balanced, full of flavour and excellent tang. Pour with comfort food—home-grilled burgers, red pizza, grilled gourmet sausage or beef fajitas. (Vic Harradine)

88  
Southbrook ‘Connect – Organic’ White 2017
VQA Ontario $15.95 (249078) 11.0% alcohol
The quality-price ratio here skews well in your favour. The organic blend — 48% vidal/35% riesling/16% chardonnay musqué—offers a shy nose of pear, apple juice and white flower notes. On the first sip, the zippy acidity teases the tip of the tongue until delicious layers of pear, peaches and apple compote flavours spread over the palate with chalky mineral notes trailing in the dry finish. Totally enjoyable on its own, it also pairs well with a Cobb salad. (Louise Boutin)