• Fruit for the following wine was gently pressed and separated from skins preserving only the purest juice then cool fermented. The following Aria Wine Company ‘Aria’ Sparkling Rosé Non-Vintage was fashioned by the Charmat method with the second fermentation completed in a sealed tank before being bottled.

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Aria Wine Company ‘Aria’ Sparkling Rosé Non-Vintage

VQA Ontario $14.95 (14981) 11.5% alcohol
Here’s a pleasing sparkling to enjoy on the patio this summer. Aromas of strawberry-rhubarb jam, ripe peach and white flower aromas introduce a sweet wave of candy apple, lemon drops and mandarin orange flavours on the lively palate. Light bodied with a gentle mousse, it finishes mid-length with a hint of grapefruit pith on the aftertaste. (Lisa Isabelle)

• The following 2018 Bicycle Thief ‘Red Blend’ was sourced from a variety of premium red grapes that are most often used in making Port wine—touriga franca/tinta roriz/touriga nacional/trincadeira. It’s 1500 mL which is equal to two bottles of 750 mL glass bottles, It’s in a tetra pack that chills in 65% less time than an ordinary bottle. It will stay fresh up to six weeks after opening. It’s great for picnics, outdoor gatherings and sharing with friends, particularly the elderly. Before my mother passed, she had a dear friend who would go to the LCBO for her and bring back wine-in-a-box as she lacked the strength to remove a cork from a bottle.

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Bicycle Thief ‘Red Blend’ 2018
Portugal $15.95 (18995) 1500 mL 13.0% alcohol
It takes a few seconds to open up and when it does, it delivers highly perfumed aromas of floral notes, baking spice and cherry/berry notes. It’s smooth on entry with palate-flavours of red and black fruit, ripe and rarin’ to go—black raspberry, pie cherry and plenty of tang and pizzazz. It’s pleasing, balanced and bountiful on the palate. Pleasant on its own it will match anything the average red wine will pair with. Give it a try. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Gérard Bertrand ‘cote des roses’ Rosé is a work of art. The base of the bottle has a rose carved out of the glass by a young designer from Ecole Boulle and the winery suggests you handle it as you would a bouquet of roses, especially when presenting to someone before pouring. This wine is also a Vintages Essentials wine, always seasonally available in select stores. This was fashioned by a traditional blend of the Languedoc—grenache/syrah/cinsault. These three grape varieties were harvested and sorted separately with each at the peak of ripeness. At the winery they were destemmed, cooled to 8 °C then transferred to the press where only the first high-quality juice is retained for this wine. It is then fermented over 15 to +30 days followed by a light fining then bottled.

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Gérard Bertrand ‘cote des roses’ Rosé 2020
AOP Languedoc, France $18.95 (373985) 13.5% alcohol
Here’s a fresh bouquet of peach, pink grapefruit, watermelon and floral aromas getting along perfectly. Round on the palate without being heavy, you’ll find flavours of strawberry and fresh apricot, a touch of white pepper and orange peel leaving a refreshing aftertaste in the dry and slightly spicy finish. This is a great sipper on its own or try with a Cobb salad for a delicious pairing. (Louise Boutin)

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Humante Red Garnacha 2019
DO Navarra, Spain $9.20 (11705) 13.5%
Aromas of red and dark fruit intertwine with savoury herbs and notions of tobacco leaf. It races across the palate on a line of nerve and verve expressed as bracing acidity on entry along with pie cherry and passionfruit and drying tannin on the back palate and finish. Pour with pastitsio, lasagna, or calzone. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Gérard Bertrand Gris Blanc Rosé 2020 is based on fruit from grenache vines with fruit protected as handling is done in a carbon dioxide atmosphere until the low-temperature fermentation begins – 15 to 18 °C – then it is matured on the fine lees for several weeks before bottling.

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Gérard Bertrand Gris Blanc Rosé 2020
IGT Pays d’Oc, France $15.95 (14673) 13.0% alcohol
Almost water white in color with a salmon tinged, this rosé offers nectarine aromas along with citrus pith, white flower and dusty stone notes. It fills the mouth with a nice round and softly-textured wash coating the palate with flavours of orchard fruit and orange flesh evolving to refreshing pithy citrus flair and a mouth-watering, mineral, dry finish. This is an exceptional-value rosé worth stocking up for the summer. Sip with salted nuts or pour alongside an appetizer of prosciutto and nectarine or fried calamari. (Louise Boutin)

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Adesso Chardonnay 2019
Product of Italy $8.30 (572461) 12.0% alcohol
Aromas of green apple, spice and citrus notes precede a medium-bodied stream of flavours with ripe pear and lime cordial to the fore. It’s nicely balanced with excellent tang and acidity, ripe fruit flavours and lingering finish and aftertaste. It’s vegan-friendly and you can’t beat the price; pick up a few for summer imbibing or pair with veggie burgers, fish, seafood, pork or chicken. (Vic Harradine)

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Adesso Merlot 2019
Product of Italy $8.30 (572453) 12.0% alcohol
Floral notes and cherry/berry aromas dominate the nose on this medium-bodied tang-laden merlot. It delivers a river of crunchy red fruit flavours with passionfruit and hints of cranberry on the palate then persisting through the finish and aftertaste. It pours well with pasta in tomato sauce or red-sauce pizza topped with tomato slices and pepperoni. It’s difficult to find a better red wine at this price. (Vic Harradine)

• The following CVNE ‘Cune’ Rioja Crianza 2017 is from an iconic winery dating back to the late 1800s. This is primarily sourced from tempranillo (85%) plus garnacha tinta and mazuelo that was matured for 12 months in American oak barrels before bottling. The vineyards are mostly estate, but there is also fruit sourced from vineyards of local growers with generations of history between them. This wine is suitable for vegans.

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CVNE ‘Cune’ Rioja Crianza 2017
DOCa Rioja, Spain $15.95 (39925) 13.5% alcohol
Respected wineries’ entry level wines usually deliver above the price tag and this one is no exception. Starting with a complex nose of red cherry, tobacco leaf, fresh dill and a dusty stone note. This is a medium-bodied red gliding on the tongue like a silky blanket with a high dose of red fruit tanginess, earthy flavour and a delicious peppery finish. Tannins are ripe and slightly drying in the cheeks, adding just a nice touch of character in this very harmonious red Rioja. Enjoy with artisan sausages or stuffed Portobello mushroom. (Louise Boutin)