Pillitteri Estates Winery ‘23’ Chardonnay 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $9.95 (64790) 12.5% alcohol
Why ‘23’? Click here www.why23.com. Here’s a value-packed fruity wine all dressed up in a jazzy, hip and happening label—take it for a test drive. The tropical fruit and sexy spice aromas grab your attention, but it’s the balanced mouthful of fruity, unoaked, refreshing flavour that’ll win you over. It’s light on its feet with loads of peach and pear flavour along with a crisp, lip-smacking finish. (Vic Harradine)


Pillitteri Estates Winery ‘Straight Up Red’ 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (219089) 12.5% alcohol
Ripe cherry and dark berry fruit aromas introduce this tangy, crowd-pleaser; it’s very smooth and super gulp-able. The label says to keep it simple and easy, so here goes—it’s well priced, well balanced pairing up with most grilled meat and veggie creations; buy a couple. (Vic Harradine)


Pillitteri Estates Winery ‘Straight Up White’ 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (219097) 12.0% alcohol
The tongue-in-cheek label preaches simplicity. I’m a convert… tastes great, buy some. For those who need more; attractive aromas of exotic spice and roses abound. It’s well balanced, satin smooth and full flavoured—ripe pineapple and juicy pear. It’s light on its feet and refreshing as a politician keeping a pre-election promise. Pour with lighter-styled conversation or appetizers—seafood, chicken, veal or pork. (Vic Harradine)


Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘Sullyzwicker Red’ 2010 

VQA Ontario $14.95 (114686) 12.5% alcohol
Bistro-styled, nicely balanced and versatile at the table, pour lightly chilled with a mixed deli platter, pizza or burgers. Tangy red cherry, red and black field berry fruit and savoury notes persist on the palate and refreshing finish. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and you won’t go wrong putting a couple of bottles in the cart. (Vic Harradine)


Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘Sullyzwicker White’ 2010 

VQA Prince Edward County $14.95 (111914) 11.4% alcohol
Co-owner/winemaker, Dan Sullivan, made this from 100% County fruit and in his own image—easy going, well balanced, ready for good times. The involved nose of peach, apple, spice and mineral presages a crisp refreshing river of flavour with zesty lemon and racy white grapefruit predominant. It finishes in a blaze of tang adorned by white peach. Lovely sipped on its own, it pairs well with pasta in cream sauce. (Vic Harradine)


Sandbanks Estate Winery ‘Reserve Baco’ Baco Noir 2009
VQA Ontario $24.95 (225920) 13.0% alcohol
Sandbanks has a way with Baco and no exception here—you really must try one. Spice, gamey, wood smoke and tarry aromas billow from this medium-full bodied, well textured red. There’s a mélange of flavour with dark, ripe berry fruit, spice-infused black plum and sweet juicy, black cherry among them. It finishes fruit-laden adorned by savoury, leafy notes and a solid tannin underpinning. Decant/aerate two hours pouring alongside smoked grilled back ribs coated in spicy BBQ sauce. (Vic Harradine)


Sandbanks Estate Winery Rosé 2010
VQA Ontario $12.95 (224616)12.0% alcohol
Pale-salmon hued, this is a nicely fashioned, fruity Rosé produced from Vidal and Geisenheim with a touch of Cabernet Franc. Light-medium bodied, it offers delectable floral and red field berry aromas and flavours with a hint of sweet citrus carrying through the refreshing aftertaste. It’s an easy-going summer sipper. (Susan Desjardins)


Tawse Winery ‘Quarry Road Vineyard’ Riesling 2010
VQA Vinemount Ridge $21.95 (198853) 10.0% alcohol
Now certified organic and bio-dynamic, this is a Riesling-lover’s delight that’s perfumed with soft citrus, mineral and spice-driven aromas. Dry as a bone on entry with a riveting wash of racy lime, minerality and grapefruit tang, it broadens out on the palate and lip-smacking finish with ripe pineapple and lime cordial. It’s an expression of pure Riesling, unadorned and delicious. The finish is balanced and focused with subtle hints of off-dry characters. Sip on its own for a hedonistic experience. (Vic Harradine)