Albert Bichot ‘Pinot Noir’ 2007
AOC Burgundy $14.95 (166959) 12.3% alcohol
Susan and I oohed and awed over this; it’s flavour packed and earned it’s final ½ star on value. Smelling like Pinot from Burgundy—so few do—it brims with earthy notes, savoury spice and strawberry aromas. It’s well structured, complex and dishes up a nicely textured mouthful of balanced flavour on the palate and lengthy aftertaste—cranberry, spice and red cherry. Lovely alone, superb with herb-rubbed roast pork. (Vic Harradine)


C’est la Vie Pinot Noir-Syrah 2008
Vin de Pays $11.95 (166934) 12.7% alcohol
Semi-opaque and ruby red with some violet notes, this bistro-styled red has a ripe fruity nose with attractive hints of spice and red licorice. It’s dry, medium bodied and easy drinking with refreshing acidity matched with juicy berry fruit and notes of pepper and spice. Well balanced, it has a warm fruity finish. Good value here. (Susan Desjardins)


No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estates Riesling 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (144865) 11.3% alcohol
Floral, mineral and white peach on the nose, this delivers a delectable mouthful of well-balanced sweet and tang flavour—key lime pie, ripe succulent tropical fruit and green apple. Mid weight and nicely textured it finishes with a mouth-watering shower of crisp refreshing citrus tang. It’s a great quaffing wine with the oomph to pair with spicy Asian cuisine. (Vic Harradine)


No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estates Unoaked Chardonnay 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (63826) 12.7% alcohol
Brimming with flavour and value, it earned its final ½ star on the attractive price-quality ratio. Perfumed aromas of melon, peach and floral notes segue crisp refreshing waves of mouth-watering flavour with Granny Smith apple, white peach and pineapple to the fore. Medium bodied with a generously textured mouth feel, the lip-smacking finish persists with good purity of fruit flavour and delicate balance. (Vic Harradine)



Pelee Island Dry Riesling 2008

VQA Ontario $10.95 (136028) 13.0% alcohol 

Fermented in stainless, this is a clear straw color with attractive aromas of luscious stone and tree fruit. It's dry and fruity with a backbone of lively acidity overlaid with the enticing flavours—apricots, nectarines, peaches, pears and a squirt of lemon/lime. Light-medium bodied, it has a lively fruity mid-length finish. It’s a great match with grilled chicken salad with strawberries, spinach and feta. (Susan Desjardins)


Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery ‘Beal Vineyards’ Cabernet Rosé 2009 

VQA Beamsville Bench $11.95 (177840) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of spice and cherry waft easily from this light-on-its-feet mid-weight beauty. Crisp, fresh and lively, this delivers a persistent wash of lively red field berry, savoury spice with hints of blood orange. It finishes clean and refreshing, easily pairing with light appetizers like smoked salmon or crab cakes. (Vic Harradine)


Rigal ‘The Original’ Malbec 2009 

Vin de Pays du Lot $11.95 (159178) 12.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of dark field berry fruit and mint-infused cherry segue a persistent wash of ripe fruit-flavours with cassis, black currant and lip-smacking lively pie cherry galore. It’s nicely balanced, medium bodied with a rich silky mouth feel sporting a lengthy fruity finish. Well paced, crowd-pleasing and value-packed. (Vic Harradine)


Rosemount Estate Cabernet Merlot 2009
South Eastern Australia $12.95 (552000) 13.5% alcohol
Set out the deck chairs and roll out the BBQ for this crowd-pleasing Aussie blend. Rich, spicy, fruity aromas carry through on the palate along with a smooth, round and generous texture. It’s well balanced with soft acidity and ripe tannin complementing the dark berry flavours. A great match for grilled pizza or well-dressed burgers. (Susan Desjardins)