Château des Charmes ‘Estate Bottled’ Aligoté 2008
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $13.95 (284950) 12.0% alcohol
For many, this is an undiscovered grape varietal—time to discover it! Tantalizing aromas jump from the glass with mineral notes and ripe Bosc pear. Expressing itself on the palate with tree fruit – Granny Smith apple, pear and citrus—there’s a persistent stream of crisp refreshing flavour through the lengthy well-balanced finish. Medium bodied and nicely textured, there’s a surge of nervy citrus on the aftertaste that’s looking for a cuisine match. Had mine with steamed mussels and it was divine. (Vic Harradine)


Château des Charmes ‘St. David’s Bench Vineyard’ Gamay Noir ‘Droit’ 2008
VQA St. David’s Bench $14.95 (582353) 13.0% alcohol
Ripe dark fruit and toast notes on the nose, the balanced flavour washes in waves—sweet, ripe mulberry and red cherry mingling with rich and luscious hints of kirsch liqueur. It’s medium bodied and nicely textured with a mid-length savory aftertaste. Winery owner and patriarch, Paul-Michel Bosc, propagated this clone from one found in his vineyard—Canada’s first vinifera vine. Sips lovely on its own and pairs well with roast chicken, root veggies and savory stuffing. (Vic Harradine)


Domaine Lafage ‘Côté Est’ 2009
Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes $12.95 (179838) 13.0% alcohol
Alluring, exotic aromas beguile with floral notes, orchard fruit and hints of honeysuckle wafting from this Southern-France blend. Balanced, crisp and refreshing flavour washes over the palate—lemon-lime, white grapefruit and pineapple. It’s light-medium bodied with a nice mouth feel and a racy, refreshing aftertaste. Perfectly paired with pan-seared white fish. A generous donation is made to the Seltzer-Chan Pond Inlet Foundation from sales of this and other wines from John Hanna and Sons wine agency. (Vic Harradine)


the Little Penguin Chardonnay 2009
South Eastern Australia $10.95 (598904) 13.0% alcohol
Attractive aromas here—sweet pineapple, floral and tropical fruit—followed by a persistent wash of sweet, fruit flavour—apple, yellow plum and pear –mingling with a lovely spine of ripe citrus and the barest wisp of oak. This is mid weight with a generous mouth feel and a clean, fruity aftertaste. It’s good value and pairs well with roast chicken or pork. (Vic Harradine)


the Little Penguin Merlot 2009
South Eastern Australia $10.95 (598912) 13.5% alcohol
You can’t go wrong with this well-priced crowd-pleasing, easy-drinking wine! The profile is consistent with aromas and flavours of dark cherry/berry, vanilla and spicy toast. Dry yet fruity, it’s nicely balanced with soft tannins and sufficient acidity to balance the ripe fruit flavours. There’s a hint of cocoa and toast on the mid-length finish. Drink now on its own or with pizza from a wood-burning oven or grilled burgers. (Susan Desjardins)


the Little Penguin Shiraz 2009
South Eastern Australia $10.95 (621870) 13.5% alcohol
This brims with aromas and flavours delivering terrific value and mouthfuls of juicy, red wine. Black pepper, spice and dark, ripe, berry fruit on the nose, these replay on the palate with spice-infused black currant and dark succulent cherry. It’s medium bodied with a silky smooth texture and lingering aftertaste that’s laced with dark chocolate and hints of licorice. (Vic Harradine)


Lighthouse Cabernet Franc 2008
VQA Ontario $11.95 (1454441) 13.0% alcohol
Herbal, dill and green pepper on the nose, it delivers a pretty nice wash of sweet ripe cherry/berry flavour on the palate with good moderating acidity in the background providing balance and a crisp, refreshing finish. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and weighs in at a good price point. Perfect with burgers or spicy sausage. (Vic Harradine)


Lighthouse Riesling 2009
VQA Ontario $11.95 (145417) 12.5% alcohol
Subtly fragrant on the nose, this light-medium-bodied wine displays floral aromas along with ripe, orchard fruit and lively citrus. It’s nicely balanced with a backbone of fresh acidity and attractive flavours of stone fruit with a splash of lemon-lime. There’s an underlying note of minerality on the citrus finish. A lovely sipper, or enjoy with pan-fried sole with a squeeze of lemon. (Susan Desjardins)


Mirassou Winery Pinot Noir 2008
California $12.95 (185249) 13.5% alcohol
Spice, hints of earthiness and ripe red berry aromas abound on this mid-weight, silky-smooth, savoury Pinot. Flavours of red cherry, pomegranate and strawberry mingle with hints of spice and savoury herb. It’s all fruit and spice on the dry, balanced, lip-smacking aftertaste. Sips well on its own and pairs beautifully with Chicken in Tomato and Olive Braise—find recipe here. (Vic Harradine)