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Pelee Island Winery ‘Bella’ Rosé Sparkling Wine Non-Vintage
VQA Ontario $18.95 (11597) 12.0% alcohol
This dazzling sparkling Rosé—a 50/50 blend of pinot noir and auxerrois—was fashioned in the Charmat method. Aromas of freshly sliced strawberry and wisps of saline minerality introduce a tingling mouthful of flavour with delightful pink grapefruit and mouth-watering tang to the fore. This showcases good balance, persistent purity of fruit and a crisp, tropical-fruit flavoured, clean, lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Pour with smoked salmon layered on a slice of baguette smeared generously with cream cheese and decorated with thinly sliced sweet onion, dill weed and capers. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2017 Pelee Island Winery ‘Lola’ Merlot is also available in grocery stores and can be ordered via this link from Pelee Island Winery for delivery to your door.
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Pelee Island Winery ‘Lola’ Merlot 2017
VQA Ontario $14.95 (10486) 13.0% alcohol
This is medium-ruby shaded with a light-garnet rim; it’s 100% merlot and matured in large oak casks. You’ll find aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, dry herb and a cedar note in the background. Medium-bodied with soft tannin, it offers ripe red fruit flavours plus blackberry notes and a nice savoury herb, very dry finish. It is perfect for your spaghetti and meatballs dinner. (Louise Boutin)
• The following 2017 Pelee Island Winery ‘Lola’ Chardonnay is also available in grocery stores and can be ordered via this link from Pelee Island Winery for delivery to your door.
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Pelee Island Winery ‘Lola’ Chardonnay 2017
VQA Ontario $14.95 (148830) 13.0% alcohol
Tropical fruit, vanilla and pear waft easily from this medium-bodied, nicely textured white. It bathes the palate with sweet-tinged palate flavours of ripe pear and yellow plum and melding with zesty lemon the balanced and beautiful finish and aftertaste. Enjoy on its own or alongside roast chicken or white pizza. The price-quality ratio skews in your favour. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2018 Pelee Island Winery ‘Lola’ Pinot Grigio is also available in grocery stores and can be ordered via this link from Pelee Island Winery for delivery to your door.
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Pelee Island Winery ‘Lola’ Pinot Grigio 2018
VQA Ontario $14.95 (10485) 12.5% alcohol
Lime rind, green apple and herbaceous aromas fill the air with this medium-light bodied, crisp pinot grigio that feels very dry on the palate despite 11g of residual sugar. A medley of citrus flavours—lime, lemon and white grapefruit mingle with nice chalky minerality making this white an excellent palate cleanser, ending on a zesty and mild pithy aftertaste. Try with goat cheese crostini or asparagus wrapped in prosciutto for a lively pairing. (Louise Boutin)
• The following 2017 Pelee Island Winery Non-Oaked Chardonnay is also available in grocery stores and can be ordered via this link from Pelee Island Winery for delivery to your door.
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Pelee Island Winery ‘Non-Oaked Chardonnay 2017
VQA Ontario $12.45 (136044) 12.5% alcohol
This friendly priced, stainless steel fermented 100% chardonnay presents with aromas of ripe pear, yellow apple and lactic notes to the fore. This is medium-bodied with a pleasant round and soft mouthfeel offering flavours of peach, apple and a nice briny lemon note defining the lasting finish. This is a simple yet delicious white that will partner well with salted appetizers or roasted chicken. (Louise Boutin)
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Sand Point Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Lodi, California $16.95 (11193) 14.0% alcohol
Certified sustainable, it announces itself with a flurry of aromas with ripe mulberry and black currant jam to the fore mingling with grilled savoury herbs. It coats the palate with a rich, ripe and rarin’ to go stream of sweet-tinged Lodi fruit—black raspberry, black Bing cherry and black plum galore. It’s medium-plus bodied with good structure and a medium-plus length finish and aftertaste. This is a match made in heaven poured alongside barbecued or oven-roasted back ribs generously mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)
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Sand Point Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2017
Lodi, California $16.95 (11194) 14.0% alcohol
Certified sustainable, this easy-going chardonnay leaps from the glass with aromas of oaky notes and whiffs of sweet vanilla and green apple. The palate is treated to spicy oak, ripe apple and pear flavours framed in wisps of balancing tang. Medium-weight with good mouthfeel and a medium-length finish, this ends with persistent palate-flavour replays and well balanced with no rough edges. Pour with breaded veal cutlets or enjoy on its own. (Vic Harradine)
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Victoria Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
South Australia $14.95 (119390 13.5% alcohol
Rich aromas of black bramble berry, mixed spice and charred toast are precursors of a medium-bodied, tang-laden surge of palate flavours with red currant and pie cherry interwoven with savoury herbs. It finishes medium length with crunchy, red-fruit tang. Pour alongside pasta in Bolognese sauce under a generous helping of grated parmesan. (Vic Harradine)