13th Street Gamay Noir ‘Sandstone Reserve’ 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $29.95 13.1% alcohol
The vines for this wine are low-yielding, planted two decades ago in a warm sub-zone that favours fruit ripening. Aged in new and seasoned oak, it captivates with complex aromas—berry, cherry cola, floral notes, dried herbs and a whiff of cedar. Dry, mid-full weight, the firm structure and clean, crisp texture frame intense fruit flavours—black raspberry, cranberry and currant. Deftly crafted and finely balanced, it finishes long and dry. While the 2010 is available through the LCBO, this vintage can be ordered by the case for daily home or office delivery from 13th Street Winery. (Susan Desjardins)


Hinterbrook Riesling 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.00 11.4% alcohol
Straw green, offering delicate floral, pear, white peach and mineral aromas, this is a nicely balanced wine. Just off-dry in flavour, it’s clean, crisp texture is a match for fresh citrus, pear and crunchy Mac apple flavours. There’s an attractive touch of sweet fruit on the tasty finish. It’s an enjoyable sipper or a delicious pairing for lightly spiced foods. Available by the case for daily home or office delivery from Hinterbrook Winery. (Susan Desjardins)


Hinterbrook Pinot Noir 2010
VQA Niagara Lakeshore $27.00 14.0% alcohol
Pale brick and semi-transparent, this single vineyard Pinot was briefly aged in French oak. Offering compelling aromas of ripe red fruit, earth, sweet spice and vanilla, it has great body and warmth. Dry, mid-full weight, there’s a core of rich, concentrated fruit, touches of earth, cocoa and sweet spice, framed by fine-grained tannins and subtle acidity. Offering lovely integration and harmony, the wine finished tasty and warm. Savour it with mushroom risotto and braised chicken thighs. Available by the case for daily home or office delivery from Hinterbrook Winery. (Susan Desjardins)


Hinterbrook Merlot 2010
VQA Niagara Lakeshore $21.95 13.7% alcohol
Deep ruby and fragrant, this approachable award-winning red offers lovely aromas of plum, blackberry, spice and vanilla. Dry, medium-full bodied, it’s velvety in texture, subtly structured and rich with dark concentrated fruit, cocoa notes and sweet spice. It finishes dry, tasty and toasty. Enjoy it with rack of lamb. Available by the case for daily home or office delivery from Hinterbrook Winery. (Susan Desjardins)


Norman Hardie Riesling 2011
VQA Ontario $21.00 10.4% alcohol
Produced from a combination of Niagara and County fruit, this dry, fresh Riesling offers aromas of citrus, mineral and a whiff of petrol. Dry and silky, the racy acidity is finely balanced with refreshing flavours of grapefruit, lemon/lime and tangy green apple. The finish is long, clean and crisp. Available by the case for daily home or office delivery from Norman Hardie Winery and Vineyard. (Susan Desjardins)


Pondview Pinot Grigio 2012
VQA Four Mile Creek $16.95 12.7% alcohol
Displaying a lovely pale-salmon hue from brief skin contact, this is a very aromatic and flavourful wine produced from 15-year-old vines. Enjoy floral aromas and hints of sweet pear, nectarine and mango. Dry, medium bodied, the lively acidity ensure a clean, fresh wash of flavourful fruit across the palate with a mineral note lingering on the tasty finish. A versatile wine you can enjoy on its own or with light white meat or pasta dishes. Available by the case for daily home or office delivery from Pondview Estate Winery. (Susan Desjardins)


Sue-Ann Staff ‘Sparkling and Sassy’ 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $27.95 11.0% alcohol
Produced in the traditional method, this lovely sparkling spent 3 months on the lees, offering very subtle aromas of dry crackers, mineral and citrus. Finely textured, it cleanses the palate with racy acidity, offering flavours of citrus and green apple through the lasting, fresh finish. Enjoy as a refreshing sipper or serve with light appetizers. Available by the case for daily home or office delivery from Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery. (Susan Desjardins)


Sue-Ann Staff ‘Grace’s Dry’ Riesling 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 11.0% alcohol
Sue-Ann has a great play on words here—it’s named after her great grandmother, raising her children during prohibition; Grace’s household was ‘dry’! And so is the wine, offering aromas and flavours of mineral, grapefruit and lemon zest followed by a bone-dry, pithy finish. A great food wine, serve this with pan-fried white fish or seafood. Available by the case for daily home or office delivery from Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery. (Susan Desjardins)


Vineland Estates ‘Bo-Teek Vineyard Elevation’ Cabernet 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $25.00 (173609) 13.0% alcohol
Just released, this single-vineyard blend, aged 16 months in French oak, is principally Cabernet Franc, one-third Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Merlot. The fine 2010 vintage shines through with the complex nose offering ripe red and black berry fruit, violet and notes of roasted red pepper and cocoa. It’s ripe, satiny and concentrated, clean and fresh. The velvety tannins wrap around intense flavours of black fruit, dark chocolate and cinnamon toast lingering through the long, dry finish. Enjoy with grilled meats. The 2009 is available in the LCBO but this vintage can be ordered by the case for daily home or office delivery from Vineland Estates Winery. (Susan Desjardins)