Australia
Quarisa Wines Caravan Petite Sirah 2013, Australia: Lots of campfire hickory smoke on the nose and palate of this robust Australian red wine made from Petit Sirah grapes also known as the Durif grape. Don't confuse it with Syrah grapes which is an entirely different varietal and clone. French botanist Francois Durif first created the Durif grape when he cross-pollinated Peloursin and Syrah vines. Full-bodied and smooth with blackberry and black plum aromas. Pair it with steak. Drink: 2014 - 2017 14.5% D 750 mL $12.33 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Mallee Rock Wines Pinot Grigio 2014, Murray-Darling Valley, Australia: A lemon-lime-melon fresh white wine with juicy acidity for seafood, shellfish and salads. This Australian white wine works as an aperitif very well. Good value. Pinot Grigio food pairings: light dishes, from seafood to salad. Drink: 2014 - 2016 12.5% D 750 mL Score: 88/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Canada
Black Hills Estate Winery Alibi 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A floral, fragrant BC white wine blend of 76% Sauvignon Blanc and 24% Semillon grapes. Fresh and captivating with good racy acidity on the palate. Pair with seafood and shellfish. Drink: 2015 - 2017 129114 14.5% D 750 mL $25.00 Score: 89/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Exultet Estates Cru X Rosé 2016, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: An off-dry, strawberry fields forever Ontario rose. Light and tasty, with natural sweetness balanced by acidity so it's never cloying. Made from an interesting blend of Pinot Noir and Vidal grapes which gives it more body and texture than many other roses. Taste and see what Prince Edward County can produce with wine. Pair with planked salmon. Drink: 2018 - 2020 2995 13% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Top Rated Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery Lady In Red Cabernet Merlot 2013, Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A smooth, rustic southwestern Ontario red wine blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Aromas of tart wild blackberry. Tanya Mitchell is winemaker. Pair with pepperoni pizza. Cabernet Merlot food pairings: tomato-based dishes such as chicken cacciotori, eggplant parmesan, or pasta & meat sauce. Drink: 2014 - 2016 266486 13% MD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 85/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Wild Goose Vineyards Merlot 2012, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A full-bodied BC red wine with aromas of black plum and smoke. Good acidity on the palate. Fairly smooth tannins. Pair with grilled pork chops. Merlot food pairings: grilled steak, barbeque, caramelized vegetables. Drink: 2014 - 2017 14.7% D 750 mL $20.00 Score: 87/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Wild Goose Vineyards Red Horizon Meritage 2012, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Mocha, smoke and black fruit on the nose of this robust BC red wine blend of 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Petite Verdot grapes. Finishes with flavours of blueberry, cassis and black licorice. Pair with grilled steak. Food pairings: red meat, tomato based pasta dishes. Drink: 2014 - 2017 14.6% D 750 mL $22.00 Score: 87/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Innsikillin Klose Vineyard Riesling 2014, Niagara Peninsula, Canada: A lovely, bright, mouth-watering Niagara Riesling with aromas and flavours of fresh peach and pear. Medium-bodied, off-dry, juicy and packed with flavour. Wonderful as an aperitif or pair it with seafood. Riesling food pairings: pear and arugula salad; goat cheese and herbed crostini; perogies with cheese and herb filling. Drink: 2015 - 2019 12% MD 750 mL Score: 91/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Innsikillin Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A smoky, luscious Sauvignon Blanc that's been aged in oak barrels, which also adds a creamy texture and less tart acidity. Notes of lemongrass, lime and golden apple. Perfect for pork chops. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: mint lamb; baked goat cheese brie; cold pesto and bean salad. Drink: 2014 - 2017 12% D 750 mL Score: 90/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Inniskillin Discovery Series Chenin Blanc 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: White melon and peach on this light-bodied, floral BC white wine made from Chenin Blanc grapes. Finishes with dry honey and tropical tree fruit notes. Pair with grilled chicken. Chenin Blanc food pairings: summer salads, honey glazed ham, pineapple bbq chicken, seafood in a light cream sauce or fresh cheeses like goat, or feta. Drink: 2014 - 2017 987909 13.5% D 750 mL $149.00 Score: 87/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Innsikillin Discovery Series Viognier Gewurztraminer 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: A very aromatic, floral BC white wine blend of Viognier and Gewurztraminer grapes. Notes of lemon blossom, honey, lychee and white daisies on the palate and finish. Pair with medium spicy and Asian dishes. Viognier Gewurztraminer food pairings: flavourful dishes; roasted pork tenderloin with an apricot glaze, grilled shrimp kebab, Mahi Mahi tacos with a fresh mango slaw, or goat cheese and marmalade crostini. Drink: 2014 - 2017 80028898 13% D 750 mL $16.99 Score: 87/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Innsikillin Discovery Series East West Pinot Grigio Chardonnay 2014, Okanagan Valley, BC And Niagara Peninsula, On, Canada: A light-bodied Niagara white wine blend of 50/50 Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay grapes. The grapes are grown in the winery's vineyard in both Niagara, Ontario and the Okanagan Valley, BC. Thus the East- West moniker. Aromas of white melon and peach. Pair with creamy cheeses. Pinot Grigio Chardonnay food pairings: white fish such as Flounder and Halibut or seafood like shrimp or scallops. Braised chicken in a light cream sauce and a multitude of semi-soft or creamy cheeses. Drink: 2014 - 2017 80026303 13% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 87/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Jackson-Triggs Reserve Series Sparkling Chardonnay Musqué 2014, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: This medium sweet Niagara sparkling wine offers attractive notes of ripe peach, pear and melon. It is just slightly sparkling or frizzante. Great for before dinner as an aperitif or after dinner on it's own or with fruit-based desserts, nuts and cheeses. Chardonnay Musqué food pairings: melon & prosciutto, sushi, mild curries, lobster ravioli, and a variety of cheeses from Brie to Gruyere. Drink: 2014 - 2017 80022377 8.5% M 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
France
Charles Tort Old Vines 2013, Cotes Du Rhone Aoc, France: Attractive black raspberry aromas and flavours with some dark spice and pepper. This is an amazing wine for the money. Full-bodied yet smooth. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2014 - 2018 424168 14.5% XD 750 mL $13.60 Score: 89/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Italy
Castello di Neive Barbaresco 2012, Piedmont, Italy: A vibrant, robust northern Italian red wine that still needs cellar time to smooth out the tannins. Lots of racy acidity on the palate for tomato sauce dishes and grilled meats. Decant 1-2 hours. Good value. Drink: 2016 - 2019 160143 14.5% XD 750 mL $19.80 Score: 89/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Farnese Casale Vecchio Montepulciano A'bruzzo 2013, Abruzzo, Italy: A full-bodied, rustic Italian red wine that offers incredible taste and quality for the price point. The estate of Casale Vecchio is situated 1,500 feet above sea level where the temperatures are moderated by the high altitude. Vines are planted using the guyot system at 5,500 vines per hectare for low yields. Winemaker Filippo Baccarolo uses a long maceration, malolactic fermentation and aging the wine 6 months in American oak. Aromas of smoke, blackberry and black currant. Pair with grilled meats and hard cheeses. Drink: 2014 - 2018 612788 14% XD 750 mL $10.95 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Portugal
Vidigal Wines Porta 6 2013, Lison, Portugal: A supple, juicy full-bodied Portuguese red wine with aromas and flavours of fleshy blackberries and black plums. Smooth and round and mouth-filling. Great for grilled meats and barbecue. Drink: 2014 - 2017 427377 13.5% D 750 mL $12.35 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
United States
Alexander Valley Vineyards Estate Syrah 2013, Alexander Valley, California, United States: This supple, smooth Californian Syrah sources grapes from the winery's Wetzel Family Estate vineyard. Rich and full-bodied with aromas of black plum and some dark spice. Pair with lamb and rosemary. Syrah food pairings: grilled meats or long slow braises of beef, lamb or poultry liberally seasoned with thyme, rosemary and garlic. Drink: 2015 - 2020 14% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Alexander Valley Vineyards Sin Zinfandel 2013, Alexander Valley, California, United States: A robust Californian Zinfandel with black raspberry and blackberry jam aromas and flavours. High alcohol is balanced by deeply flavoured and ripened fruit. Finishes with some smoke and dark spice. Pair with hamburgers. Zinfandel food pairings: pizza, tomato-based pastas, grilled meats, burgers, roasted chicken or turkey. Drink: 2015 - 2020 14.7% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Alexander Valley Vineyards Redemption Zinfandel 2013, Dry Creek Valley, California, United States: Gorgeous aromas of smoky brambleberry and briar patch, cedar brush and feral forest scents. These grapes are picked and vinified in small lots and aged 14 months in oak barrels. Complex and well-structured. Not jammy. Long finish. Classic and agable. Pair with filet mignon. Zinfandel food pairings: big bold flavors, try a pepper crusted steak. Drink: 2016 - 2021 224147 14.8% D 750 mL $26.95 Score: 92/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Alexander Valley Vineyards Estate Merlot 2013, Alexander Valley, California, United States: Supple, full-bodied and beautifully balanced Californian Merlot. Lovely rich mouth texture. Aromas of black plum. Elegant finish. Pair with grilled pork chops. Merlot food pairings: seared duck breast, grilled lamb chops, slow roasted beef. Drink: 2016 - 2022 14% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 92/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Alexander Valley Vineyards Temptation Zinfandel 2013, Alexander Valley, California, United States: A robust, concentrated, intensely flavoured Californian Zinfandel with aromas of purple and black fleshy plums and blueberry jam. Finishes with black raspberry and dark spice. Perfect for grilled meats. Zinfandel food pairings: pizza, pasta, ribs, steak sandwiches, grilled chicken. Drink: 2016 - 2019 14.7% D 750 mL Score: 91/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Fetzer Pinot Grigio 2014, California, United States: A refreshing, zippy Californian white wine made from the popular grape Pinot Grigio. Aromas of white melon and lemon. Enjoy as an aperitif or companion to seafood. Light-bodied with good acidity. Pinot Grigio food pairings: cured ham appetizers, tapas. Drink: 2014 - 2016 34041 12.5% M 750 mL $8.45 Score: 85/100. October 2015. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart