• John Marynissen was an amateur winemaker and early adopter of vitis vinifera vines and pulled hybrids and replaced them with vitis vinifera vines in the 1970’s and the winery now owns approximately 25 acres of what are now generally accepted as the oldest commercial cabernet sauvignon vines in Canada. His daughter, Sandra, eventually took over the winemaking for some time. She later hired Jeff Hundertmark to replace her so she could spend more time with her family. Jeff has now moved on and is presently Director of Winemaking at Mt. Boucherie Winery in the Okanagan Valley after a very successful career in Niagara. At last look, Marynissen Estates Winery was then sold to a foursome of investors.

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Marynissen ‘Heritage Collection - Charmed Rosé’ Sparkling Wine, Method Charmat 2020
VQA Ontario $24.95 (25234) 11.5% alcohol
Aromas of freshly picked wild strawberries and juicy red cherries abound on the nose. It pours with a generous mousse—aka thousands of bubbles—first making a froth on the wine when poured then continuing to make seemingly endless streams of winding bubbles making their way to the top of this sparkling rosé. It captures the palate with medium-bodied and nicely textured off-dry flavours of cotton candy and notions of sweet maraschino cherry while balanced with tangy blood orange. Pour on its own to welcome guests, or with spicy Asian dishes or for you and your mate or close friend for a late afternoon or early evening Happy Hour. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Marynissen ‘Heritage Collection - Charmed’ Sparkling Wine, Method Charmat is an inspired blend of riesling, gewürztraminer and muscat that dazzles the palate, with a lengthy finish and lingering aftertaste.

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Marynissen ‘Heritage Collection - Charmed’ Sparkling Wine, Method Charmat 2020
VQA Ontario $19.95 (25233) 11.5% alcohol
Floral notes, mineral and piquant peppery spice aromas dominate the nose on this tang- and pizzazz-infused white blend. Palate flavours of Key lime pie and lemon curd robed in pineapple and mouth-watering tang persist to and through the finish and aftertaste. This showcases crisp and refreshing flavours, a monumentally long finish and aftertaste and versatility at the table. Pour on its own or alongside freshly shucked Malpec oysters, steamed mussels, sushi or pour on its own. The price-quality balance tips wildly in your favour—pick up a case. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Malivoire Wine ‘Farmstead’ Gamay was sourced from Four Mile Creek, Beamsville Bench and Twenty Mile Bench with the average Brix at 22. 94% of grapes were destemmed and crushed with 6% of grapes being left in whole clusters. For alcoholic and malolactic fermentation 87% went to stainless steel while 13% was completed in concrete tank. The new wine was then divided by 2/3rds aged in stainless steel and the remainder sent to well-used older oak barrels. It was blended and bottled six months later in May 2021.

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Malivoire Wine ‘Farmstead’ Gamay 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (591313) 12.5% alcohol
Pipe tobacco and peppery piquant spice aromas show first on the nose soon joined by aromas of blueberry, black currant and dark plum, adorned by grilled savoury herbs. The palate’s treated to a medium-plus bodied, textured stream of creamy-smooth ambrosia showcasing deft balance, ripe fruit flavours of red currant, pie cherry and passionfruit juxtaposed with cherry clafoutie and ripe mulberry underpinned by soft, fine-grained tannin and plenty of tang and pizzazz. This is ready to drink now and on to 2024. Pour with grilled lamb loin chops or rye bread sandwiches of Montreal smoked meat. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Bodegas Salentein ‘Reserva’ Malbec was sourced from estate high-altitude vineyards of 100% malbec fruit. Salentein Chief Winemaker extraordinaire, Jose ‘Pepe’ Galante, is heralded as one of Argentina’s most important winemakers.

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Bodegas Salentein ‘Reserva’ Malbec 2019
Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina $17.95 (640854) 14.0% alcohol
Dark purple-black, it’s virtually opaque in the glass. An alluring nose of exotic incense, spicy herbs and rich, sweet floral notes abound. It captures the palate with a bountiful surge of dazzling flavours with sweet black currant, ripe black plum and black Bing cherry to the fore then balanced with excellent tang and much pizzazz. It struts its stuff through the lengthy lip-smacking finish and aftertaste with elegance and charm. It’s deftly balanced with alluring aromas, fine-grained tannin, excellent acidity, fabulous fruit flavours and a monumentally lengthy finish and aftertaste. What’s not to like? Pour alongside your favourite cut of grilled meat or vegan dish and your favourite veggies. (Vic Harradine)