Argentina
Familia Zuccardi ‘Fuzion’ Chenin Blanc Chardonnay 2008
Maipu, Mendoza $7.45 (11980) 13% alcohol
Following up on the wildly popular red and recently released Rosé, here’s their white blend – it’s now available in most LCBO stores. It’s smooth, mellow and nicely balanced earning its final half-star on good value. Look for tropical fruit flavours—melon and sweet pineapple—plus hints of peach and a lovely squirt of balancing citrus tang. Great for patio sipping and for pairing to lighter appetizers and mains. (VH)
Australia
Wolf Blass ‘Grey Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Langhorne Creek $34.95 (390872) 15% alcohol
Aromas of cinnamon, cloves, sweet oak—18 months spent in French and American oak barrels—and dark juicy berry roll off the glass of this full-bodied nicely textured perennial favourite. There are gorgeous gobs of fruit flavour with sweet black raspberry and Bing cherry predominant that mingle with sweet cassis. It’s nicely balanced and finishes lengthy and fruity with touches of mint. There’s perceptible tannin and good moderating acidity. Drink now, after a two-hour aeration/decant, and on to 2014 alongside a slab of rare- to medium-rare grilled and garlic-laced strip loin. (VH)
California
Robert Mondavi ‘Woodbridge’ Chardonnay 2007
California $12.95 (99408) 13.5% alcohol
This is a gorgeous blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Muscat and Riesling that encapsulates the Woodbridge brand—big bang for your buck. Look for ripe tropical fruit flavours—honeydew melon and sweet pineapple—and an ameliorating squirt of zesty citrus tang. Well balanced and nicely structured, this smoothly textured value-driven white finishes crisp and dry. Pair with friends on the deck or patio. It earned its final half star on value. (VH)
Mondavi ‘Woodbridge’ Sauvignon Blanc 2007
California $11.95 (40501) 12.5% alcohol
Mondavi is a name you can trust for wine delivering value at each and every price point. Aromas of honeydew melon, tropical fruit and luscious honeyed pear nuances drift from the glass. This is refreshing with crisp Granny Smith apple and grapefruit zest and tang reflecting its heritage from the cool-ish ‘Central Coast’ vineyards of California. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured with a crisp and refreshing lengthy finish. Pair with pan-seared fish and seafood or supermarket take-away rotisserie chicken. (VH)
Chile
Cono Sur Rosé Merlot 2008
Central Valley $9.95 (122481) 12.8% alcohol
Light-bodied and sprightly, this opens with aromas of strawberry jam, spiced black plum and mineral tones. There’s a boatload of sweet fruit on the front and mid palate—currant and sugar-sprinkled strawberry—that balances out nicely with a generous dollop of sour cherry tang on the dry, crisp and refreshing finish. This offers a world of value and matches up well with antipasto or lightly pan-seared tuna carpaccio. (VH)
France
Henkell Trocken Dry-Sec
Germany $13.85 (122689) 11.5% alcohol
This is Germany’s most-recognizable sparkling wine with over 15 million bottles sold each year. This has a frothy mousse and a nicely balanced flavour profile with sweet tropical fruit, peach and pear—a (2) on the sugar scale—that melds nicely with citrus and green apple tang. It works well as a welcoming sparkler also pairing with light sea food appetizers. (VH)
Henkell Trocken ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Dry-Sec
Germany $13.35 (122689) 12% alcohol
The ‘dry’ might fool you as this is a (3) on the sugar scale, but nonetheless it’s a very popular option amongst sparkling-wine lovers. It comes off well balanced and refreshing with aromas and flavours of green apple and ripe pit fruit—yellow plum and white peach—along with hints of lemon and grapefruit. A generous aperitif wine, it matches up well to a simple fresh fruit salad. (VH)
Italy
Frescobaldi ‘Castiglioni’ Chianti 2007
DOCG Chianti $14.80 (545319) 13% alcohol
This flavourful well-balanced blend—Sangiovese and Merlot—morphs into 5 stars when paired with food; try pizza, pasta or grilled burgers. There are expressive aromas and flavours of black currant, sour cherry and spiced black plum on the palate that’s underpinned by dusty tannin and generous acidity. The finish lingers offering a food-friendly red at a great price—pick up a few to have on hand for summer dining. (VH)
Masi Serego Alighieri ‘Podere del Bella Ovile’ 2005
IGT Rosso di Toscana $17.95 (73106) 13% alcohol
Aromas of dried savoury herb and wild field berry fruit waft from this delightful red blend—80% Sangiovese along with two indigenous varieties. The smooth mellow flavours caress the palate with red cherry, blueberry and rose-scented black raspberry predominant. It’s medium bodied, very well textured and sports a well-balanced lengthy finish of seamlessly integrated sweet oak and dark berry flavour. This is well-structured, offering good quaffing on its own as well as versatile food pairing. Pour alongside grilled red meat, oven-roasted chicken or sausage and pepper baked penne. (VH)
Ontario
Peninsula Ridge Shiraz 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (70052) 12.5% alcohol
Reflecting the great ‘07 vintage in Niagara, this opens with rich and ripe aromas and flavours of succulent black cherry, ripe black plum and black pepper notes. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured and has a firm tannin underpinning plus good acidity for structure and balance. The finish layers on some leafy notes. Perfect when paired with roast lamb and mint sauce. (VH)
South Africa
Nederburg ‘The Winemaster’s Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
WO Western Cape $10.90 (111526) 14% alcohol
There are blueberry, spice and toasty oak aromas on the nose before settling in to an expressive mouthful of flavour—smoky black cherry and good moderating acidity. There’s enough tannin to add interest and structure especially noticeable on the finish. Difficult to find a barbeque Cab matching steaks and burgers at the ten dollar mark, this one fits the bill nicely. (VH)
Nederburg ‘The Winemaster’s Reserve’ Shiraz 2007
WO Western Cape $10.90 (527457) 14% alcohol
Perhaps it’s an acquired taste as some love and others don’t care for that charred, smoky tarry aspect of some SA red wines. This one has it in spades, if a fan, pick up an armful. This well-textured Shiraz also delivers mulberry and bramble berry flavours and a lengthy finish. It pairs well with spicy gourmet sausages and is value-priced. (VH)
Spain
Segura Viudas Cava 'Brut Reserva' Non-Vintage
DO Cava $14.65 (158493) 11.5% alcohol
The grapes are different, it’s ¼ the price and it’s not from France, but if looking for a sparkling wine with some elegant characteristics of Champagne, this is it. It delivers a dry and refreshing mouthful of tangy flavour with ripe citrussy lemon and hints of ripe yellow plum and peach to the fore. The bubbles are fine and persistent and it finishes crisp and refreshing—just the ticket to welcome guests or pair with all manner of appetizers or hors d’oeuvre. Great value, stock up and keep a few bottles on hand. (VH)