California

Beringer ‘California Collection’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
California $9.95 (113001) 13% alcohol
This opens with an alluring nose of dried crushed cranberry, red licorice and notes of black pepper. There’s a delightful sweet and tang aspect to this—sweet ripe cherry and mulberry on the mid-palate then racy tangy cranberry and pie cherry on the lingering finish. It’s medium bodied with a generous texture and long finish. It earned its final ½ star on value. (Vic Harradine)


Beringer ‘California Collection’ Pinot Grigio 2007
California $9.95 (112995) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of floral, spice and honeyed pear waft off the glass of this light on its feet summer sipper. You’ll be presented with a steady stream of tropical fruit and yellow plum flavour and a silky smooth texture. It’s medium weight sporting a medium length finish that layers on a nice touch of moderating citrus tang. (Vic Harradine)


Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
California $16.95 (68924) 14.5% alcohol
There’s good value to be found in this medium-weight silky smooth California Cab. Aromas and flavours of black currant, mint and licorice abound mingling with a moderating stream of bright red cherry flavour throughout the well-balanced finish. The ripe tannin adds structure and interest making it the perfect dance partner with grilled strip loin. (Vic Harradine)

Chile

Concha y Toro ‘Casillero del Diablo Reserva’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Central Valley $12.95 (278416) 13.5% alcohol
Funky aromas of camphor, aromatic bitters, menthol and smoky notes rip from glass of this medium-weight nicely textured red. There are also loads of smoky notes on the palate along with cherry and mixed field berry notes. Framed by acceptable tannin and ample moderating acidity this delivers a well-balanced medium-length finish. This pairs perfectly with smoked and grilled back ribs slathered in spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)


Concha y Toro ‘Casillero del Diablo Reserva’ Carmenère 2008
Rapel Valley $12.95 (620666) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of Asian spice, black licorice and smoky notes bound from the glass of this well-balanced juicy wine. Cassis, and succulent mulberry flavours mingle with mixed spice on the palate. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured sporting a lengthy fruit-forward finish that ladles on racy lip-smacking Montmorency cherry. Lovely sipped on its own, it also pairs well with grilled red meats. (Vic Harradine)


Concha y Toro ‘Casillero del Diablo Reserva’ Malbec 2008
Rapel Valley $12.95 (94060) 13.5% alcohol
A lifted nose of gamey and spicy notes provides segue to this medium-weight, medium-textured red. The initial attack is silky smooth and mellow on the palate with ripe cherry, black berry fruit and hints of cola. The tannins are a bit green and grainy while there’s a nice hit of moderating acidity on the finish. Try this with lamb or pork rubbed with fennel and rosemary. (Vic Harradine)

Germany

Gustav Adolf Schmitt ‘Winzertanz’ Non Vintage
Deutscher Tafelwein $9.75 (2147) 1 Litre 9% alcohol
This works out to $7.70 per 750 ml—that commands attention. This quintessential summer-quaffing blend—Muller-Thurgau, Sylvaner and Riesling—is low alcohol and inexpensive. Floral and mineral on the nose the straightforward sweet-ish flavours are all about lemon drop candy, ripe apple and succulent pear. It’s light on its feet and becomes a star when served, well chilled, as an aperitif in the warm summer sun. (Vic Harradine)

Italy

Ruffino ‘Fonte Al Sole’ 2007
IGT Toscana $12.95 (18994) 13.5% alcohol
Primarily Sangiovese with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a mellow and easy-drinking red. Look for aromas and flavours of cherry, mixed field berry fruit and hints of spice. It’s medium weight, nicely textured and sports a well-balanced finish. It’s straightforward and honest, fairly priced and versatile with food—what’s not to like? Pair it with pizza, burgers or ribs. (Vic Harradine)


Ruffino ‘Orvieto Classico’ 2008
DOC Orvieto $11.75 (31062) 12.5% alcohol
This catches your eye with its bright pale yellow, green-tinged hue and aromas of floral and citrus then captures your taste buds with a fruity mouth-watering shower of delectable wine. It’s light on its feet with lip-smacking flavours of freshly squeezed key lime, white grapefruit and ripe yellow plum. There are also hints of honeyed pineapple on the well-balanced finish. This is a summer sipping wine offering very good value. (Vic Harradine)

Ontario

Open Cabernet2-Merlot 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 (134957) 12.2% alcohol
‘Open’ is a new Ontario VQA brand with a focus on ‘ease’—easy to drink, easily paired with food and easy on the pocketbook. And, you won’t go wrong easing yourself into the weekend with a glass of it. There are loads of spice on the nose with hints of aromatic bitters. The solid core of ripe fruit flavour showcases cherry, blueberry and black currant on the palate. It’s well structured, nicely textured and beautifully balanced with a smooth and flavourful finish. Kick back and pour alongside a slab of smoked barbecued back ribs. (Vic Harradine)


Open Merlot 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 (140129) 12.1% alcohol
‘Open’ is a new brand pitched at the hip n’ happening crowd. Those of us thinking more about hip replacements can still get in on it—send one of the kids to pick up a bottle. It opens (no pun) with lifted spiced black plum aromas before delivering a mouthful of dark berry fruit flavours along with sprigs of savoury spice. Generously textured and deftly balanced, it delivers enough tannin for interest, especially on the fruity lingering finish. This earned its final ½ star on value. It pairs beautifully with supermarket take-away rotisserie chicken and friends—newly met or trusted companions. (Vic Harradine)


Open Riesling-Gewürztraminer 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 (134965) 11.1% alcohol
Highly perfumed aromas of rosewater and exotic spice drift from the glass of this light- to medium-weight summer quaffer. The ultra-ripe sweet fruit flavours explode on the palate with tropical fruit and yellow peaches in syrup predominant. All this carries through to the finish mingling with notes of mixed spice. Serve well chilled as a conversation starter or as an accompaniment with fresh fruit dessert. (Vic Harradine)

Spain

Osborne ‘Solaz Rosado’ 2008
Vino de la Tierra de Castilla $10.95 (622076) 13% alcohol
The brilliant pale red colour captures your attention—the aromas and flavours keep it. Strawberry and floral aromas provide segue to a succulent mouthful of flavour with full-bore red cherry, mulberry and mixed spice to the fore. This is medium weight, nicely textured and showing good balance throughout. It finishes lip-smacking good with a burst of tang and spice. Paired mine with tapas—Spanish potato tortilla with roasted red pepper and peas, chorizo and manchego puffs, and chorizo sautéed in red wine. (Vic Harradine)


Tapeña Tempranillo 2007
Vino Tierra de Castilla $13.95 (72942) 13% alcohol
There’s a carload of spice on the nose along with rich dark berry fruit aromas. On the palate there are fresh grapey characteristics with ample flavours of red berry fruit and spiced black Damson plum. The moderating acidity and tannin are well integrated making this a pleasant and well-rounded wine. It’s also food friendly pairing well with burgers, pizza and grilled gourmet sausages. (Vic Harradine)