California

Beringer ‘California Collection’ White Zinfandel 2008
California $9.90 (239956) and 1500 ml $18.90 (60715) 10.5% alcohol
Strawberry and spice on the nose, this delivers an ultra-ripe sweet mouthful of fruity flavour with red raspberry, sugared and freshly sliced strawberry and hints of racy ruby red grapefruit. It’s an unpretentious blush wine that’s perfect for quaffing and pairing with lighter-styled appetizers and deli plates. White Zinfandel sales are 6 times that of red Zinfandel; it’s worth a try if you haven’t already. (Vic Harradine)

Chile

Viña Santa Rita ‘120’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
DO Central Valley $10.45 (218644) 13.5% alcohol
When looking for the occasional alternative to that $7 red you’ve been drinking, here’s a beauty. It opens with dark berry and savoury herb aromas then delivers a delicious mouthful of sweet berry fruit—black currant and mulberry—mingling with pie cherry and minty notes. It’s medium weight, nicely textured with a long balanced finish. This is well structured and value-priced. (Vic Harradine)


Viña Santa Rita ‘120’ Sauvignon Blanc 2008
DO Central Valley $10.45 (23606) 14% alcohol
This never fails to surprise and please. Opening with a beguiling nose of floral, mineral and herbaceous notes, it hits its stride on the palate with a satisfying wash of perfectly balanced flavour and texture—citrus, gooseberry and grassy notes gliding along on a silky-smooth bed of satiny texture. This is medium bodied and flavourful. There’s a splash (2%) of Semillon adding wonderful flashes of sweet honeyed pear flavour, especially on the refreshing finish. Delightful. (Vic Harradine)

Ontario

Rosehall Run Vineyard ‘Sullyzwicker Red’ 2007
VQA Prince Edward County $14.95 (114686) 12.5% alcohol
This flavourful fruit-forward friendly blend—61% Gamay, 30% Cabernet Franc, 9% Pinot Noir—is vinified from 100% ‘County’ fruit. Look for lively aromas and flavours of blueberry, mixed red field berry and freshly pressed grapes. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured and sports a fruity lengthy finish. It’s built for casual drinking and pairing with comfort food—pizza, burgers and pasta in tomato-based sauce. (Vic Harradine)

Portugal

Aveleda ‘Charamba Douro’ 2007
DOC Douro $9.45 (78105) 13% alcohol
Vinified from four of the premium grapes used to make port, this delivers a complex nose of spice, dried crushed berry fruit, toasty oak and earthy notes. The mouth is washed with a wave of tangy zesty fruit flavour with red currant, cherry and cranberry to the fore. It’s medium bodied with good texture and there’s perceptible tannin and leafy notes on the drying finish. Aerate/decant for two hours and pour alongside a meat-laden pizza. (Vic Harradine)


Aveleda Vinho Verde 2008
DOC Vinho Verde $9.95 (89995) 11.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of honeysuckle, pear and mineral notes open this beautifully textured crisp refreshing and well-priced blend—Alvarinho, Loureiro and Trajadura with the first two arguably the top grapes for Vinho Verde. The flavours are racy with lemon citrus and white peach predominant and they glide through the snappy lip-smacking finish. Pour on the patio alongside grilled or pan-seared garlic-buttered prawns—it’s a cut above many Vinho Verde. (Vic Harradine)


Aveleda ‘Fonte’ Vinho Verde 2008
DOC Vinho Verde $8.95 (5322) 10% alcohol
Mineral, citrus and white peach aromas introduce this Portuguese gem—it’s summer in a glass. Thousands of bottles per day are enjoyed in outdoor cafes from Lisbon to the Algarve. There’s spritz in the bottle and it tickles the tongue as it carries a delectable and mouth-watering stream of spiced green apple and white grapefruit flavour over the palate. It’s light on its feet, fairly textured and finishes crisp, clean and refreshing. It’s paired perfectly with grilled sardines. This earned its final ½ star on good value. (Vic Harradine)

Spain

Marqués de Riscal ‘Rueda’ 2008
DO Rueda $12.55 (36822) 12.5% alcohol
Racy aromas of mineral, citrus and herbaceous notes waft from this medium-bodied white wine. Sweet ripe flavours of peach and pear mingle with a firm spine of citrussy tang. It’s fairly textured and sports a dry, clean and crisp finish. This was built for summer quaffing and pairing with sea food. Give it a go with pan-seared scallops over a bed of arugula and under a squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)


Bodegas Montecillo Blanco 2008
DOCa Rioja $9.95 (72058) 12% alcohol
Crisp refreshing and delicious, it’s one of those hidden gems lost in a sea of labels. Few look in the Spanish section when searching out a crisp dry white wine... pity. Apple and pear aromas are followed on the palate with flavours of crisp green apple, ripe Bosc pear and succulent Mirabelle plum. It’s medium-bodied, deftly balanced with a nicely textured mouth feel and a tangy racy finish of citrus zest. It earned its final ½ star because of its great taste and excellent value. (Vic Harradine)