• These two Vintages Essentials wines are always available in select stores.

  
Henry of Pelham Riesling Icewine 2015
VQA Niagara Peninsula (430561) $49.95 375 mL 9.5% alcohol
Honeyed apple and whiffs of spicy ginger fly from the glass of this unctuous icewine. It coats the palate with a fully textured wave of baked apple, poached pear and grilled pineapple before unleashing moderating lemon acidity on the lingering finish and aftertaste. It’s dessert in a glass, serve well-chilled, sit back and prepare to be dazzled… absolutely divine. (Vic Harradine)

• The following wine is from Wakefield, one of 12 family-owned ‘Australia’s First Families of Wine’ producing wine with sense of place. Respecting a previous trademark, they’re known as Wakefield in Canada and the U.S., but in Australia as Taylors, where they’re owned and managed by the Taylor family.  

  
Wakefield Shiraz 2014
Clare Valley, Australia $18.95 (943787) 14.0% alcohol
Dark berry fruit, eucalyptus and roasted herbs, set the table for a cornucopia of flavour with soft pie cherry and black bramble berry garnished with baking spice, milk chocolate and moderating acidity to the fore. From cooler-climate Clare, this is full value for money with balanced, persistent purity of fruit and more than its fair share of charm. (Vic Harradine)