the beach house ‘Red’ 2010
Western Cape, South Africa $9.95 (223453) 14.0% alcohol
This is fresh and lively, brimming with juicy red cherry and ripe mulberry gliding over the palate in silky-textured waves. It opens with dark berry fruit and black licorice aromas from this delicious red blend—75% Shiraz, 20% Mourvèdre, 5% Viognier—and finishes with delicious round flavours and a mouth-watering aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)


the beach house ‘Rosé’ 2011
Western Cape, South Africa $9.95 (164343) 12.5% alcohol
This is salmon-pink-hued with oodles of aromas preceding a lip-smacking wash of bright berry flavour, red currant, black berry and spice-laden cherry. It’s light-medium bodied with soft texture and a fruity finish. Great sipping on its own, there’s certainly enough oomph to pour with fun appetizers—spicy wings or cheese-laden tacos. (Vic Harradine)


the beach house ‘White’ 2011
Western Cape, South Africa $9.95 (122390) 12.5% alcohol
Floral, exotic spice and rosewater on the nose, this bathes the palate with delectable flavour—ripe peach, melon and nectarine mingling with lemon citrus. It’s round, fleshy and smoothly textured with good balance. The lingering aftertaste offers lemon yoghurt and hints of spiced yellow plum. Terrific on its own, fish, seafood and pasta in cream sauce pair well. (Vic Harradine)


the beach house ‘Sparkling’ Non-vintage
Western Cape, South Africa $12.95 (229799) 8.0% alcohol
This is a big crowd-pleaser, especially at large gatherings—a perfect welcoming wine that also goes well with passed-around hors d’oeuvres. It’s a delightful blend of Chenin Blanc and Gewürztraminer that offers sexy, spicy aromas and a light, refreshing stream of bubbles and flavour—lemon citrus, pineapple and a salad bowl of tropical fruit. It finishes in a blaze of crisp, refreshing, ripe, fruit flavour. (Vic Harradine)


Inniskillin Cabernet Franc 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (317016) 13.5% alcohol
From a fabulous vintage, this over-delivers on the price-quality ratio with a spirited wash of red cherry, sweet, ripe briary berry and spiced black plum on the palate preceded by aromas of savoury herbs and mocha. It broadens out even more on the lingering, lip-smacking finish with dark milk chocolate supported by ripe tannin. Versatile at the table, pour at backyard barbies or alongside pizza, lasagna or roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)


Inniskillin Riesling-Pinot Grigio 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (145458) 11.5% alcohol
This blend really makes sense with lovely aromatics from Pinot Grigio and great fruit and balance from Riesling. Floral and tropical fruit aromas introduce a balanced river of key lime pie and grapefruit carried on a mid-weight frame and good mouth feel. It finishes in a blaze of tang—crisp, clean and refreshing. (Vic Harradine)


Fielding Estate Pinot Gris 2010 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 (223610) 12.5% alcohol
Captivating and expressive aromas abound—ripe pineapple, apricot and floral notes among them. Mid-full weight with oodles of texture, it delivers a river of flavour with lemon youghurt, peach cobbler and apple to the fore. It comes together on the finish with white grape fruit pith wreathed in honeysuckle moderating the acidity. This is a great food wine; pair with roast fowl or pork. (Vic Harradine)


Fielding Estate ‘Red Conception’ 2009 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 (189183) 13.0% alcohol
This red blend—49% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Syrah—opens with subdued aromas of spice and savoury herbs interlaced with toast and cedar. Sour cherry and cranberry roll over the palate while on the finish there’s a dry, pomegranate bite. It’s medium weight and nicely texture with ripe tannin and good moderating acidity throughout. (Vic Harradine)


Strewn ‘Rogue’s Lot’ Cabernet Sauvignon –Cabernet Franc 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (065342) 12.5% alcohol
Savoury, charry toast and spiced plum pudding aromas introduce a balanced, mid weight, nicely textured river of flavour with tangy red cherry interwoven with cranberry, fennel and savoury spice to the fore. There’s ripe, soft tannin mingling with good moderating acidity on the dry, lip-smacking finish. Poured well with gourmet burgers, grilled bratwürst or meat-laden pizza. (Vic Harradine)


Strewn ‘Two Vines’ Cabernet-Merlot 2008
VQA Ontario $11.95 (590109) 12.4% alcohol
Light-ruby hued in the glass and savoury herbs, camphor and red cherry on the nose, this washes over the palate with racy red cherry, tart raspberry and stewed dark fruit. It’s light on its feet with a crisp, mouth-watering aftertaste. Give it a go with pasta in tomato sauce, meat-lovers pizza or gourmet burgers. (Vic Harradine)


Strewn ‘Barrel Aged’ Chardonnay 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (522730) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of ripe, red apple, kitchen spice and toast provide entré for a balanced wave of ripe pear, yellow peach and racy white grapefruit on the palate and crisp, refreshing finish. It’s medium bodied with round, smooth texture and wisps of vanilla from well-integrated oak ageing—six months in 20% French and 80% American barrels. (Vic Harradine)


Strewn ‘Two Vines’ Riesling-Gewürztraminer 2010
VQA Ontario $11.95 (467662) 12.0% alcohol
A beautiful mid-straw hue, this offers perfumed and sexy aromas of exotic spice, rosewater, and floral notes. It flows over the palate in waves with spice-laden fruit—white peach and sweet pear—borne along on mid-full weight and gorgeous texture. The mouth-watering finish offers sweet and tang making it a value-laden partner with spicy Asian cuisine like General Tso’s chicken. (Vic Harradine)


Strewn Gewürztraminer 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (65359) 12.9% alcohol
This is a great summer sipper for deck or patio, on its own or paired with lighter-styled nibblies. Spice and ripe, red apple on the nose this is light on its feet with succulent, tangy waves of white grapefruit interlaced with spice and yellow plum. It finishes crisp and lip-smacking good. (Vic Harradine)


Strewn ‘Select Late Harvest’ Vidal 2010
VQA Ontario $15.95 (107219) 12.9% alcohol
Made from late pressings of fruit picked for ice wine, this dishes up a delightful dessert wine for one-third the price. Orange- and lemon-peel marmalade and succulent mango interlace with lemon drop candy on the lifted nose while the palate’s treated to a lively river of citrus zest and carmalized pineapple. It’s nicely textured and far from cloying with its tart lip-smacking aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)