Fuzion ‘Alta’ Torrentes-Pinot Grigio 2009
Mendoza, Argentina $8.95 (168419) 13.5% alcohol
Honeydew melon and grapey aromas segue a wash of sweet tropical fruit flavour. This light-on-its-feet aperitif-styled blend is smooth and mellow with a fruity finish. A great patio quaffer, it also pairs well with lighter appetizers or lightly dressed, preferably with oil and verjus, green salads. (Vic Harradine)


Malivoire ‘The Guilty Men’ Red 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (192674) 12.5% alcohol
Here’s a well-crafted blend of Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon that Vic and I are both confident you’ll enjoy! Aged in oak for 9 months, it displays a range of aromas—savoury herbs, black plum, red cherry, toast, and a hint of cedar. It’s nicely balanced with a fresh texture, fruity acidity and supple tannins. Fresh berry and kitchen herb flavours wash across the palate, complemented with notes of toast and dark chocolate that linger on the extended finish. Guilty on all counts . . . great value, great flavour, great wine. (Susan Desjardins)


Malivoire ‘The Guilty Men’ White 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (192666) 12.5% alcohol
A fusion of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, it delivers a lovely mouthful of crisp, refreshing, well-balanced flavour, punching far above the price. Perfumed, alluring aromas replay on the palate in an endless stream of flavour with sweet juicy peach, exotic-spiced apple and mouth-watering citrus tang predominant. It’s silky smooth with a lengthy finish. Versatile with food, try roast chicken, grilled fish or seafood. (Vic Harradine)


Masi ‘Modello delle Venezie’ Bianco 2009
IGT Veneto, Italy $11.95 (533026) 12.0% alcohol
A well-priced summer sipper, this wine is primarily Pinot Grigio with a dash of mysterious local varietals! It displays appealing aromas of tree fruit and citrus with some floral notes. It’s bright and fresh, with racy acidity and flavours of crisp apple, grapefruit and lemon zest. It would be a great appetizer wine, or could be enjoyed with pasta combined with spinach, ricotta and lemon. (Susan Desjardins)


Mateus ‘Signature’ 2007
DOC Douro, Portugal $9.00 (308643) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of berry fruit mingle with mineral and earthy notes in this satin-smooth, well-balanced red. Fresh and lively on the palate, there’s a delightful wash of red cherry and cranberry flavour extending through the tangy mouth-watering aftertaste. Ratchets up a notch or two with food, especially spaghetti Bolognese. (Vic Harradine)


Château Pey La Tour Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
AOC Bordeaux, France $13.95 (264986) 13.0% alcohol
Smoke, oak and coffee on the nose, this delivers a nicely balanced wash of dark berry fruit, red cherry an spice-infused black plum. It’s medium bodied with a nice mouth feel and a long savoury finish underpinned by perceptible tannin. Decant a couple of hours and pour alongside grilled rack of lamb and root veggies. (Vic Harradine)


Marqués de Riscal ‘Reserva’ 2005
DOCa Rioja, Spain $20.70 (32656) 13.5% alcohol
Rich and perfumed on the nose, this bursts on the palate with juicy flavours of boysenberry, sweet vanilla and spice-infused black cherry. It’s mid weight with a generous texture and a lengthy balanced and fruity finish. This is an outstanding example of well-made Tempranillo and deserves to be poured alone or with a generous helping of prime roast beef. (Vic Harradine)


Serego Alighieri ‘Poderi del Bello Ovile’
IGT Toscana, Italy $16.45 (73106) 13.0% alcohol
From the descendents of Dante, a wine that’s poetry on the palate! Intensely fragrant, the wine offers aromas of warm summer fruits—plums, raspberry pie, black currant—as well as sweet herbs, spice and a note of leather. Medium-full bodied, the palate is rich and softly textured, with intense red fruit flavours underlaid with a hint of toasty oak. It’s well balanced, with supple tannins and apt levels of acidity. Spice, toast and fresh fruit replay on the lingering finish. It was a great complement to Tuscan-style steak. (Susan Desjardins)


Tini Sangiovese di Romagna
DOC Emilia-Romagna, Italy $9.00 (179432) 12.0% alcohol
From the Caviro Coop, which represents 41 member wineries, this is a wine whose value skews in your favour. Cherry berry aromas and hints of roasted spice are a fine introduction to this well-balanced, medium-bodied, freshly textured wine. Juicy red fruits are complemented by fresh acidity and soft tannins that linger on the finish. Well-priced and easy-going, serve with pizza or barbequed sausages. (Susan Desjardins)


Tini Trebbiano-Chardonnay 2009
IGT Rubicone, Italy $9.00 (179440) 12.0% alcohol
From the perfumed nose of honeydew melon and floral notes to the clean, crisp citrussy finish, this value-packed blend earned its final ½ star on value dishing out a bottleful of flavour. There’s a tangy delightful wash of lemon-lime and white peach on the palate carried along on a smooth and generous mouth feel. It’s balanced, great for patio sipping and perfectly paired with all manner of appetizers, especially white meat, fish or seafood. (Vic Harradine)


Trend Wines Chardonnay-Pinot Gris 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (197193) 13.0% alcohol
Perfumed floral and honeyed tropical fruit aromas abound in this beautifully textured full-flavoured blend. Fashionable and following the pattern of the excellent Niagara 2009 white wine harvest, there’s a delightful seam of über-ripe fruit flavour on the palate with pear, peach, pineapple and moderating citrus to the fore. The finish is balanced, refreshing and adorned with lime sherbet. (Vic Harradine)


Trend Wines Merlot-Cabernet 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (197921) 13.0% alcohol
Savoury herb and spice with hints of cherry cordial aromas open this mid-weight racy red blend. Flavours of tangy pie cherry, cranberry and spice-infused cranberry mingle with savoury herb and leafy notes. Finishing dry and racy, it’s a natural served with pasta in tomato-based sauce or spicy meat-laden pizza. (Vic Harradine)