Matchbook ‘Giguiere’ Chardonnay Musqué 2012 
Dunnigan Hills, California $19.95 (361576) 13.5% alcohol 
Highly perfumed with aromas of exotic spice, grapey notes and honeyed, musky tropical fruit, this coats the palate with fleshy, medium-sweet wine—ripe apricot, peach and yet more honeyed tropical fruit. It’s full bodied and fully textured with a lingering, sweet, viscous finish and aftertaste. Chill well pouring with spicy Asian cuisine. (Vic Harradine) 


Matchbook Tempranillo 2010 
Dunnigan Hills, California $22.95 (372490) 13.9% alcohol 
Rich, highly scented aromas of black berry jam, mixed spice and black plum precede a palate-coating river of concentrated, dark fruit—black currant, sweet, ripe boysenberry and Bing cherry—robed in great zest and tang. It’s medium-full bodied with creamy smooth mouth feel and a long finish. The aftertaste is balanced and fruit-forward. Pour with grilled back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine) 

 
Sunnybrook Winery ‘Blossom Series’ Pear 2012 
Ontario Fruit Wine $18.95 (372359) 11.0% alcohol 
VQA does not regulate Ontario fruit wine, but make no mistake, many undergo as stringent and meticulous winemaking as a VQA wine. Aromas of crisp pear and notions of buckwheat honey precede a flavourful river of nicely balanced and generously textured, off-dry ambrosia. Perfect for sipping as an apearitif on the pier, patio, deck or balcony, it also pears well with fruit flan or blue-veined cheese. (Vic Harradine) 


Vereto Salice Salentino Rosso 2010 
DOP Salice Salentino, Italy $17.95 (379255) 13.0% alcohol 
Salice Salentino is in the south of the Apulia region in the spiked heel of Italy’s boot. Earthy with cherry, roasted herbs and mixed spice aromas on the nose, this Negroamaro delivers a tang-laden wash of red currant and sour cherry interwoven with spice and tomato leaf. It’s mid weight with good texture and a dry, lip-smacking, mid-length finish. Pour this lively red alongside spaghetti Bolognese or meat-lovers pizza. (Vic Harradine) 


Vinecol Bonarda 2013 
Mendoza, Argentina $15.95 (375493) 14.4% alcohol 
Savory herbs, charred toast and baking spice aromas herald a spice-driven, concentrated river of dark, dusty flavours—juicy black Bing cherry and black currant robed in good moderating acidity, underpinned by a supple tannin structure. Mid-plus weight and generously textured, it persists on the balanced finish and aftertaste—fruit forward and quite robust. This offers good value. (Vic Harradine)