Sparkling Wine

Brachetto d’Acqui Rosé Non-vintage 
DOCG Brachetto d’Acqui, Italy $13.35 (375667) 6.5% alcohol 
Perfumed and bubbly from the get go, aromas of roses and spice spill from the glass. On the palate it’s sugared strawberries and candied cherry on the palate and through the delightful finish. Sure you can chill and pour this low-alcohol gem on its own or with soft white cheese, but you can also make a brunch or lunch cocktail—3 oz Brachetto d’Acqui; 3 oz orange juice with Cocoa liqueur to taste. (Vic Harradine) 


Konzelmann ‘K’ Rosé Non-vintage 
Niagara Peninsula $16.20 (184176) 12.5% alcohol 
A copper-hue and floral and strawberry aromas provide the grand entrance to this flavourful sparkler. Strawberry, red currant and cherry flavours bathe the palate supported by delightful bubbles, good balance and a crisp and refreshing finish and aftertaste. Extremely versatile; give it a go as a welcoming wine, pour with light appetizers or pair with a deli board, white pizza, pan-seared salmon or roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)

Still Wine

Ascheri Barbera d’Alba 2010 
DOC Barbera d’Alba, Italy $15.80 (219790) 13.5% alcohol 
Smoky notes mingle with red and dark berry fruit on the nose of this sleek, tangy red. Flavours of tangy sour cherry and cranberry interweave with bramble berry and sprigs of herbs. Its light-medium bodied with oodles of acidity and good grip on the palate and finish. Aerate/decant a couple of hours pouring with pasta in tomato sauce or lasagne. (Vic Harradine) 


Boutinot ‘Les Volets’ Malbec 2012 
IGP Haute Vallée de l’Aude, France $10.70 (332973) 13.0% alcohol 
Fresh, liveley aromas of red cherry and spice presage a balanced, light-on-its-feet splash of sour cherry interlaced with ripe mulberry and red plum. It’s well paced and nicely focused with palate flavour replaying on the balanced and beautiful finish. This pours well alongside grilled chicken breast or grilled veal cutlets. There’s very good value here. (Vic Harradine) 


Fielding Estate ‘Fireside White’ 2012 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (303040) 11.5% alcohol  
This is a delightful off-dry blend—Riesling 44%, Gewürztraminer 26%, Pinot Gris 19%, Chardonnay Musqué 11%—that’s perfumed and alluring on the nose—aromas of lychee, lime and exotic spice. Tangy, palate-bathing flavours of lime cordial and blood orange interlace with wisps of grapefruit pith, apple and pear; medium weight and nicely textured. The balanced, lip-smacking aftertaste lingers. (Vic Harradine) 


Fielding Estate Pinot Gris 2012 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 (223610) 12.0% alcohol  
This is pink-hued with wonderful aromas of peach, melon and pear interlaced with honey and mixed spice. It’s creamy smooth, medium weight, rich and luscious on the plate with tangerine, ripe apple and tangy grapefruit to the fore. It finishes lengthy in a blaze of crisp, refreshing flavour and tang—honeyed pit fruit and lemon citrus. It’s great value and improves immensely after a twenty-minute, out-of-frig, aeration/decant. (Vic Harradine) 


Fielding Estate Riesling 2012 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (146761) 10.5% alcohol 
This gem offers up delicate aromas of Key lime, Granny Smith apple and pear. It bathes the plate with a focused stream of tang-laden flavour in a fruit salad of citrus—blood orange, Meyer lemon and ruby red grapefruit. It’s sleek and majestic on the palate with good body and texture, deft balance and laser-like, lip-smacking acidity and mineral notes on the palate, finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour with pan-seared trout or pickerel. (Vic Harradine) 


Hess Select Chardonnay 2011 
Monterey County $15.95 (270074) 13.5% alcohol 
Sweet vanilla, tropical fruit and wisps of toast and oak aromas presage a medium-bodied, generously textured river of delectable, ripe flavour—white peach, green apple and a salad bowl of tropical fruit—garnished with a tangy spoonful of moderating lemon-lime tang. The finish replays palate flavours; balanced and beautiful. Versatile at the table with roast pork, veal, chicken or seafood; this is very good value. (Vic Harradine) 


Konzelmann Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (112946) 13.0% alcohol 
Savory herbs, pipe tobacco and mixed field berry fruit aromas herald a flavourful, nicely balanced river of sweet, ripe mulberry and juicy black cherry; medium-bodied, nicely textured. It finishes smooth and mellow, fully flavoured with strong replays, wisps of mint and mouth-watering good. Pour alongside grilled red meat or pasta in tomato sauce with meatballs. Good value to be had here. (Vic Harradine) 


Konzelmann Pinot Blanc 2012

VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.15 (219279) 12.5% alcohol 
Earn 5 AIR MILES® reward miles until May 24, 2014. Opening with floral, banana and spice aromas, this bathes the palate with lemon chiffon pie, apple and pear flavours interwoven with spicy ginger. It’s light-medium bodied with good mouth feel and a nicely balanced aftertaste. Pour with three-cheese pizza—brie, chèvre and mozzarella. (Vic Harradine) 


Konzelmann Riesling 2012

VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.15 (200501) 11.0% alcohol 
Rose petals, sharp spice and Meyer lemon aromas jump from the glass. Bracing lemon tang streaks across the palate melding with white grapefruit and notions of Key lime. It’s light on its feet with a clean, crisp, mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside Alsatian onion tart. (Vic Harradine)