• The following 2019 Marynissen Estates Cabernet Franc was mechanically harvested from select VQA Niagara Peninsula vineyards from November 5 to November 17, 2019. Fruit was destemmed and partially crushed then transferred to stainless steel tank where it was fermented warm on its skins from 14 to 28 days then pressed. The wines that were selected for this final blend were chosen—after maturing for eight months in stainless steel with French oak chips—for their aromatic profile and palate structure. This is drinking well now and will mature and improve with careful cellaring on to 2025.

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Marynissen Estates Cabernet Franc 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (23973) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of raspberry and dried currant waft easily from the glass decorated with pencil shavings and piquant peppery spice. It’s creamy smooth and well textured on the palate showcasing rich, luscious flavours of dark cherry, cassis and bramble berry adorned with excellent tang and pizzazz in the form of pie cherry and passionfruit that persist to and through the lingering finish and lip-smacking aftertaste. There’s plenty to like here and the price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Pick up a few while they are still available. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Vineland Estates Winery ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay is a Vintages Essential wine always available in select LCBO stores.

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Vineland Estates Winery ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (669374) 12.5% alcohol
Lifted, alluring aromas of green apple, pear and floral notes precede a medium-weight mouthful of tangy apricot and off-dry Mirabelle plum intertwined with lemony citrus and a cartload of pizzazz. This showcases good balance of ripe fruit, tangy citrus and the yin and yang of sweet and tang running to and through the lingering finish and aftertaste. A great sipping wine on its own, it also has lots of dance partners at the table—a vegan-friendly green salad, roast chicken or pan-seared salmon, sushi or shellfish. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Cune Crianza Tempranillo is primarily sourced from Tempranillo at 85% and the remaining 15% is garnacha tinta and mazuelo in the highly rated Rioja appellation and is registered and accredited as vegan-friendly. It spent 12 months maturing in pre-loved American oak barrels.

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Cune Crianza Tempranillo 2018
DOCa Rioja, Spain $15.95 (39925) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of tobacco and tea leaves interlace with red cherry/berry fruits and notions of exotic spice and vanilla. It’s medium-plus bodied with creamy smooth mouthfeel and balanced and bountiful palate flavours—black currant, ripe mulberry and black raspberry—with an underpinning of polished, fine-grain tannin. It lingers on the balanced finish and aftertaste with distinctive and welcomed tangy acidity and notions of sweet vanilla extract. This is easily sipped on its own and really shines when paired with New Zealand spring lamb or Australian rack of lamb.

New vintage in LCBO stores as a Vintages Essential wine.

• The following 2019 Flat Rock Cellars Riesling is a Vintages Essential wine found in most LCBO stores. It provides you an opportunity to taste premium riesling at an incredibly attractive price point. Pick up a few and drink over the next three to five years.

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Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2019
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $17.95 (43281) 10.5% alcohol
Piquant aromas of machine oil, mineral notes and citrus abound on the nose of this well paced, well-priced riesling. It envelops the palate with a tsunami wave of flavours with sharp lemon-lime acidity and tang and notions of off-dry sweet cantaloupe glazed with chalky minerality through the lengthy, balanced finish and aftertaste. Give this a go with a multitude of table partners—Thai fish cakes, a spicy Asian dish like Mou Shoo pork, a charcuterie board or an assortment of sushi. (Vic Harradine)