• Save $2.00 off the price shown below for the Luis Felipe Edwards ‘Reserva’ now to May 24, 2015
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards ‘Reserva’ Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
DO Colchagua, Chile $13.90 (308189) 13.5% alcohol
Dark chocolate and baking spice aromas herald a fruit-filled, value-laden red blend. A gusher of black raspberry and ripe mulberry coat the palate adorned with earthy notes, black Bing cherry and chalky, mid-plus texture on the lengthy nicely balanced finish and aftertaste. Pour this value-laden red Reserva with steak, meat-lovers pizza, grilled sausage, burgers or meat balls and sauce in pasta. (Vic Harradine)
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards ‘Guardian Riserva’ Red Blend 2012
DO Colchagua Valley, Chile $13.60 (392787) 14.0% alcohol
This interesting red blend of Cab Sauv, Carmenère, Merlot, and Cab Franc offers aromas of piquant spice and mixed field berry fruit. It bathes the palate with grainy-textured waves of ripe blackberry and red cherry flavours garnished with a solid line of acidity. It’s medium weight with a racy, tangy, dry finish and aftertaste. Pour with lasagne or spaghetti Bolognese. (Vic Harradine)
Fontanafredda ‘Briccotondo’ Barbera 2013
DOC Piemonte, Italy $14.95 (372987) 13.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of cedar, tobacco and red berry fruit set the table for a feast of flavour with red currant and dark cherry leading the way adorned with spice and excellent moderating acidity. It’s medium bodied with good texture and a balanced aftertaste that’s fruity and mouth-watering delicious. It’s quite good value and pours well with all the usual suspects—pizza, pasta in tomato sauce, spicy wings and grilled ribs. (Vic Harradine)
Francois Labet ‘Dame Alix’ 2013
AOC Côtes-Du-Rhône, France $12.95 (630657) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of earthiness, red cherry fruit and hints of tobacco introduce a line of red cherry, red cranberry and red currant tang racing across the palate infusing the crisp, mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. This sets up well with pasta in tomato sauce, lasagne or meat-filled cabbage rolls in tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)
Casa Planeta Grecanico – Chardonnay 2013
DOC Sicilia, Italy $11.95 (387191) 12.5% alcohol
This value-packed white blend opens with a glorious nose of floral notes and a salad bowl of tropical fruit aromas. It bathes the palate with ripe fruit flavours—peach, pear and apple—nicely balanced with tangy white grapefruit. It’s mid weight with good texture and a crisp refreshing finish. (Vic Harradine)
Bottega ‘Il Vino Dei Poeti’ ‘Sparkling’ Prosecco Brut Non-vintage
DOC Prosecco, Italy $13.95 (897702) 11.0% alcohol
This is one of the most popular sparkling wines in the LCBO—there’s a very good chance your local LCBO stocks it. Dry and delicious, there are aromas of white flowers and lemon while the flavours are a mélange of white grapefruit, ripe lemon and pineapple. It’s fizzy and food friendly, especially with appetizers or seafood, while the texture is silky and the finish clean and refreshing. (Vic Harradine)
• Save $2.00 off the price shown below for the Bottega ‘Il Vino Dei Poeti’ ‘Sparkling’ Rosé now to May 24, 2015
Bottega ‘Il Vino Dei Poeti’ ‘Sparkling’ Rosé Brut Non-vintage
Product of Italy $13.45 (277202) 11.5% alcohol
There are aromas of watermelon, strawberry and hints of blueberry on the nose of this knock-out sparkler. It’s clean and crisp with delicate flavours of ruby red grapefruit and cherry/berry fruit wrapped up in a light spritz throughout. It’s lip-smacking good on the aftertaste. Pour as a welcoming wine as guests arrive and keep it flowing as it pairs well with seafood and lighter-styled appetizers. (Vic Harradine)
Luccarelli Primitivo 2013
IGP Puglia, Italy $10.95 (253856) 14.0% alcohol
This über-popular, fruity Primitivo struts its stuff with aromas and flavours of rich, ripe, dark fruit mingling with spice and lip-smacking tang. It flows across the palate with spice-infused black currant, cherry and black plum mingling with dark coffee and tangy red berry fruit. It’s medium bodied with good mouth feel and a long, balanced, lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. You get a lot of wine for your eleven dollars. Pour with steaks, burgers, pizza and pasta. (Vic Harradine)
Monasterio de las Viñas Crianza 2008
DO Cariñena, Spain $18.85 1500 mL (393090) 13.0% alcohol
This red blend—Garnacha, Tempranillo and Syrah—is value-packed and consumer friendly. Dark berry fruit, warm spice and hints of cassis aromas provide segue for a rich river of bramble berry, mulberry and black compote bathing the palate infusing the lengthy finish and aftertaste. It’s mid weight with a very smooth mouth feel and sports oodles of charm. Pour with grilled meats or gourmet sausage. (Vic Harradine)
Sandbanks ‘Summer’ 2013
VQA Ontario $14.95 (414748) 11.5% alcohol
Liquid sunshine in a bottle, this white wine dishes up perfumed aromas of rosewater, exotic spice and a boatload of charm. It coats the palate with a creamy gusher of off-dry flavour—lychee, ripe honeyed melon and spice-infused lemon yoghurt. It finishes in a blaze of spicy flavour and good moderating tang. It’s made for fun in the sun, but if it’s cloudy, it will certainly brighten your day—very good value, as well. (Vic Harradine)
Sandbanks Rosé 2014
VQA Ontario $12.95 (244616) 11.5% alcohol
Perfumed aromas of melon and stone fruit set the table for a feast of juicy flavour with lemon-lime yoghurt and crisp refreshing apple to the fore. It’s light-medium weight with good texture and a crisp, refreshing finish and aftertaste. Wonderful chilled and sipped on its own, it also pours well with lightly dressed Caesar salad adorned with grilled chicken strips. (Vic Harradine)
Southbrook Vineyards ‘Connect - Organic Red’ 2013
VQA Ontario $15.95 (249565) 11.8% alcohol
Predominantly Cabernet Franc, baking spice and roasted herbs mingle with red berry fruit aromas on the nose. It’s fresh and lively on the palate with a tapestry of flavour—pomegranate, red cherry and strawberry interwoven with wisps of piquant spice and red licorice. This is light on its feet with a fine line of acidity and tangy red fruit throughout. The dry finish is mouth-watering and refreshing. (Vic Harradine)
Southbrook Vineyards ‘Connect - Organic White’ 2014
VQA Ontario $15.95 (249078) 9.9% alcohol
This eclectic blend—Vidal, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc—punches well above the price. Delicate aromas of melon, pit fruit and citrus introduce a tapestry of flavour with lemon pie filling and tangy lime cordial mingling with crisp green apple. It’s light-medium bodied with good mouth feel and delicious lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. A sipper for sure, it has the balance and depth to pour well with charcouterie, soft cheese and a baguette. (Vic Harradine)
Tavernello ‘Collezione’ Sauvignon 2013
DOC Grave, Friuli, Italy $12.75 (361477) 12.0% alcohol
This Sauvignon Blanc rips from the glass with savory herbs, grassy notes and a mouthful of delicious flavour. Balanced and beautiful it bathes the palate with a persistent wash of spice and herb-laden citrus mingling with passion fruit and a crisp, refreshing tasting experience. It finishes with clean, crisp replays and hints of kiwi fruit. Sip on its own or pour with all manner of light appetizers, especially with chèvre. (Vic Harradine)