Argentina
Familia Zuccardi ‘Fuzion’ Chenin Blanc / Chardonnay 2009
Mendoza $7.45 (119800) 13.0% alcohol
This is the new 2009 vintage with a similar result to the ‘08—great for sipping and food pairing and good value. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured and well balanced with flavours of ripe citrus, pineapple and spiced yellow plum. It finishes crisp and tangy making it an easy pairing with seafood or roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)
Familia Zuccardi ‘Fuzion’ Shiraz / Malbec 2009
Mendoza $7.45 (83188) 13.5% alcohol
With spice, earthy and grapey aromas on the nose, this dishes out flavours of sweet ripe cherry and mixed berry fruit. It’s light to mid weight with good acidity and a lengthy clean finish reminiscent of spiced pie cherry with leafy accents. This pairs particularly well with pasta in a tomato-based sauce. (Vic Harradine)
Familia Zuccardi ‘Fuzion Alta Reserva’ Malbec 2009
Mendoza $9.95 (8135475) 14.0% alcohol
Subtle aromas of exotic spice and dark crushed berries easily transition to flavours of blueberry, mulberry and black Damson plum on the palate. It’s mid weight and generously textured making it a lovely mouthful of well-balanced red wine. The lingering finish layers on delightful hints of milk chocolate. It’s a step up in price from their entry level red and a leap ahead of most under ten dollars. (Vic Harradine)
Ontario
Peninsula Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (53678) 13.0% alcohol
Sporting a spiffy new label, aromas of savoury herb and mineral accents waft from the glass. Mouth-watering flavours of white grapefruit and crisp green apple wash over the palate in waves. It’s mid weight and nicely textured with a nicely balanced and lip-smacking finish of citrus tang and hints of ripe yellow plum. Crisp and refreshing sipped on its own; it ratchets up a notch paired with skillet-seared tilapia or trout under a squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)
Peninsula Ridge ‘Inox’ Chardonnay 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (594200) 13.0% alcohol
With apple and pear aromas plus accents of minerality on the nose, this delivers great purity of fruit with a persistent stream of ripe apple, waxy lemon tang and spiced white peach. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured and yet another notch in the ‘Inox’ belt of wine punching well above the price. It sustains its well-paced delivery through the long refreshing finish. (Vic Harradine)
Peninsula Ridge Shiraz 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (70052) 12.5% alcohol
Expressive black licorice, minty and mixed spice aromas abound off this tang-laden red. There’s a solid spine of acidity throughout bolstered by fruit flavours of racy cranberry, pie cherry and red currant. It’s mid weight and textured with a dry lip-smacking finish layering on accents of savoury herb. This is paired perfectly with tortellini in spicy tomato sauce or spaghetti Bolognese. (Vic Harradine)
Strewn ‘Barrel Aged’ Chardonnay 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $12.95 (522730) 12.9% alcohol
Ripe spiced apple aromas open this well-paced well-priced Chardonnay. There’s a bare wisp of oak, it’s generously textured delivering a delectable mouthful of refreshing fruit flavour with yellow peach, green apple and accents of ripe pineapple. It finishes lengthy balanced and delicious. Give it a go with rotisserie-roast chicken-to-go from your local supermarket. (Vic Harradine)
Strewn ‘Rogues Lot’ Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (65342) 12.5% alcohol
There are spicy, earthy and red berry fruit aromas galore on the expressive nose of this flavourful red blend. Red cherry and ripe dark berry flavours glide along a bed of generous texture in this mellow and easy-to-drink red. It’s medium weight with a firm finish of tangy cranberry and spiced black plum. It pairs well with pizza and pasta in a tomato-based sauce. (Vic Harradine)
Strewn ‘Semi-Dry’ Riesling 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $10.95 (616599) 10.9% alcohol
This opens with a terrific nose of those delightful aromas of honeyed apple and pear. It’s light on its feet delivering a steady wash of that sweet and tang, yin and yang tasting experience that pairs so well with spicy Asian cuisine. This is also delicate enough to pair with all manner of seafood, spice or not. Garlic and buttered pan-seared shrimp pairs well. (Vic Harradine)
South Africa
Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2008
WO Robertson $10.95 (129684) 12.5% alcohol
The subtle nose of tree fruit and honeydew melon segue a well-balanced wave of ripe sweet pineapple and red licorice flavour with accents of lemon chiffon pie. It’s light to medium bodied, generously textured and dishes out a satisfying and lingering finish. It earned its final half star on value and ability to pair with food. Pan-seared fish, veal, chicken and pork are all potential partners. (Vic Harradine)