Bouchard Aîné et Fils Beaujolais Supérieur 2009
AOC Beaujolais Supérieur $11.95 (009431) 12.5% alcohol
Perfumed aromas of lilac, spice and candy apple introduce a good wash of fruity flavours—sweet grapey notes and cherry cordial. Offering good value, this is friendly and straightforward throughout with good moderating acidity and a generous mouth feel. Chill slightly and sip on its own al fresco or serve with white pizza. (Vic Harradine)


Bouchard Aîné et Fils Beaujolais-Villages 2009
AOC Beaujolais-Villages $12.95 (143727) 12.5% alcohol
This is semi-transparent crimson with red and dark berry notes on the nose along with hints of pepper and spice. It’s a nicely balanced red offering a fresh juicy texture, red berry fruit and a clean, slightly peppery, finish. Enjoy it with pizza or light-grilled summer fare. (Susan Desjardins)


Bouchard Aîné & Fils ‘Cuvée Signature’ Pinot Noir 2009
AOC Bourgogne $16.95 (665406) 13.0% alcohol
This is cherry red and aromatic with beetroot, herbs and red berry aromas—it’s an appealing and classic Pinot Noir. Lively and lip-smacking fresh, there are juicy summer berries and cherries on the palate with a note ofearthiness. Nuances of dried herbs linger on the balanced finish. Good value. (Susan Desjardins)


Château des Charmes Aligoté 2009
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $13.55 (284950) 13.0% alcohol
This crisp and refreshing beauty delivers a generously textured mouthful of green apple and lemon sherbet interlaced with the aromas of mineral and nashi pear. It’s excellent value, versatile and delightful—pour as an aperitif, a patio/balcony sipper or pair with steamed mussels or lemon sole. (Vic Harradine)


Château des Charmes Chardonnay Musqué 2009
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $16.95 (284950) 13.5% alcohol
Here’s a light-on-its-feet sipper that’s clean, crisp and refreshing. Apple, pit fruit and exotic spice on the nose, it delivers a wash of spice-driven flavour with green apple and ripe pear to the fore. The finish cleans up nicely in a shower of citrus and spice. Sip on its own or pair with lighter-styled appetizers like slices of warm grilled chicken laid over Caesar salad. (Vic Harradine)


Château des Charmes Riesling 2008
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $12.55 (061499) 12.5% alcohol
This is a dandy, it’s a classy offering with great balance and structure—you’d be hard pressed to find better at this price point. Sharp crisp aromas of apple, pear and slate herald a persistent wash of delectable slightly off-dry flavour with lemon-lime sherbet to the fore. It finishes lengthy and lip-smacking good. Great producer, great wine, great price… what’s not to like? (Vic Harradine)


Henry of Pelham Baco Noir 2009
VQA Ontario $13.95 (270926) 13.0% alcohol
Only $12.65 until June 18. Pungent gamey and toasty aromas mingle with wisps of cigar box and dark berry fruit before washing the palate with tangy flavours of dark berry fruit and spice-infused sour cherry. It’s mid weight and well textured riding a spine of bracing acidity throughout. It finishes lip-smacking good with dark berry fruit and hints of smoky oak. This ratchets up after a two hour decant poured alongside with what you do on your Broil King—burgers, back ribs or chunks of grilled beef. (Vic Harradine)


Henry of Pelham ‘Barrel Fermented’ Chardonnay 2008
VQA Short Hills Bench $19.95 (268342) 13.5% alcohol
Barrel fermented in French oak and aged sur lie, this traditionally crafted wine is attractive and refined. There are subtle aromas of vanilla, caramel, ripe pear and stone fruit. Creamy in texture, the ripe fruit replays on the palate alongside spicy notes and tantalizing nuttiness. Balanced, well integrated and medium-full bodied, there’s a refreshing piquancy on the finish. Enjoy it with grilled chicken and mushroom salad. (Susan Desjardins)


Konzelmann ‘Reserve’ Merlot 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (439281) 13.5% alcohol
Raspberry and blueberry on the nose, this is mid weight and nicely textured supporting a wash of tangy racy flavour on the palate with red currant, pie cherry and strawberry predominant. It finishes clean and refreshing with nuances of spiced black plum and kitchen spice. Give it a go with grilled back ribs slathered with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)


Konzelmann ‘Canada Red’ Zweigelt 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (200535) 13.0% alcohol
This is food friendly and plays well with others; it’s a party wine to be poured alongside burgers, pizza or spicy wings. The racy spicy aromas and flavours on the palate include a boatload of tangy flavour—red currant, cranberry and pie cherry. It’s mid weight, lightly textured and surprises with a delightful balanced aftertaste of red cherry and sweet black plum compote. (Vic Harradine)


Mommessin Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Vin de France $9.95 (201160) 13.0% alcohol
This deeply coloured straightforward Cabernet offers a nose of herbs, crushed leaf and black berry fruit. The tannins are perceptible and the acidity’s fresh. Berry flavours along with a nuance of grilled peppers persist through the lengthy finish. A good match for barbequed veggies and meats, it earned its final half star on value. (Susan Desjardins)


Mommesin Chardonnay 2009
Vin de France $9.95 (201178) 13.0% alcohol
Aromatic and perfumed, aromas of floral notes and tropical fruit waft easily from this nicely balanced, crisp and refreshing sipper. There’s medium weight and generous texture on the palate with green apple and honeyed peach flavours following through to the lip-smacking refreshing finish. Good value here and it’s versatile—sip on its own or pair with all manner of seafood or lighter-styled appetizers. (Vic Harradine)


Mommesin Grenache/Syrah 2009
Vin de France $9.95 (201152) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas and flavours of red cherry and dark berry fruit infused with spice follow through on the palate of this value-driven red blend. It’s light-on-its-feet with a mid-length finish of ripe cherry and notes of strawberry. Chill slightly if sipped on its own or poured with a mixed deli platter. (Vic Harradine)


Mommessin ‘Les Epices’ Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2008
AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape $32.95 (42242) 14.0% alcohol
Excellent value, this classic red blend delivers interesting complexity on the nose and palate with generous texture and deft balance. Ripe berry, herbes de provence, vanilla and cocoa aromas tantalize, leading you to a lovely taste experience—rich ripe fruit, notes of cocoa, sweet spice and toast—all framed by ripe tannins and fine acidity. Approachable and accessible now, it pairs well with herbed rack of lamb. (Susan Desjardins)


Painter Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
California $12.95 (219113) 12.7% alcohol
Aromas of spice box, aromatic bitters and cherry presage a generous stream of pie cherry, dark berry fruit and nuances of mocha. It’s mid weight and nicely textured with a layered and lingering fruity cherry/berry aftertaste. Delivering a world of value, it earned its final ½ star on the value it provides. (Vic Harradine)