Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Red 2017, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Lovely layers of ripe cherry, dark and red berries, dried fruit and smoky vanilla flavours on this medium-plus-bodied, juicy Niagara Escarpment Bordeaux-style blend. Produced by winemaker, Emma Garner who won Winemaker of the Year at the 2015 Ontario Wine Awards. Ready to enjoy now. Drink: 2019-2025. 320986 13.20% D 750 mL  $26.95 Score: 89/100. October 21, 2020 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

Flat Rock Good Kharma Chardonnay 2019, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A well-priced, food-friendly Chardonnay below $17 from the Niagara Peninsula wine region with ripe pear, vanilla, lemon pudding, pineapple, flinty, smoky and spicy flavours on the palate from oak ageing in Canadian oak barrels. Chill and enjoy with grilled prawns and chicken breast Dijonnaise. Drink: 2020-2022. 356873 13.50% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 88/100. October 1, 2021 Best Value White Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review

Louis Bouillot Perle d'Ivoire Brut Blanc de Blancs Crémant De Bourgogne, Burgundy A.C., France: The Burgundian estate of Louis Bouillot was one of the first wineries in the region to create sparkling wine, called Crémant de Bourgogne, back in 1877. Crisp and clean with toasty warmth and green apple refreshment. Pair with fried chicken. A toasty Crémant de Bourgogne with great texture and mouth-filling weight. Nice crisp finish. Drink: 2020-2022. 21034 12% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. December 16, 2021 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Fantastic Fried Chicken Wine Full Review

Chateau Moncontour Tete de Cuvée Brut Vouvray Sparkling, Loire A.C., France: The French writer Honoré de Balzac featured this winery in his novel, La Femme de Trente Ans. What a bargain for such a crisp, toasty bubbly! Lovely bright green fruit and lemon lift on the finish. A toasty, nutty French sparkling wine from the Loire Valley. These bubblies are rare finds, and this one represents tremendous value. Perfect as an aperitif or companion to seafood and great novels. Drink: 2016-2020. 207936 12% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. October 15, 2021 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review

Tessellae Old Vines Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre 2017, Côtes du Roussillon, Midi A.P., France: Produced from old vines Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvèdre (10%) grapes sourced from the Côtes Du Roussillon, Midi wine region in south France. Full-bodied with ripe blackberry, cherry liqueur, dark berry, plum, dried florals, wild herbs and dark spice flavours smooth on the palate. Drink: 2019-2022. 343517 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. November 5, 2020 Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review

Château le Grand Retour Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2017, Rhône A.C., France: From Aubert Frères, Château Le Grand Retour Plan De Dieu is a delicious, medium-plus-bodied and juicy red blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes. Fragrant and lushly layered with ripe dark cherry, anise, dried wild herbs and pepper spice flavours on the palate. So good now and for sure for the next three years. Drink: 2020-2024. 224592 14.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. September 24, 2020 Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review

Château de Nages Vieilles Vignes Costières de Nîmes 2017, Costières de Nîmes, Rhône A.P., France: Produced from Old Vines Grenache with some Syrah and Carignan from the Costières De Nîmes, Rhône Wine Region. Produced by Michel Gassier. Juicy, mouth-watering fruit with intense and bright cherry, raspberry and dried garrigue herb flavours finishing long and silky on the palate. Drink: 2020-2024. 40964 15% D 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 91/100. December 22, 2020 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

La Chablisienne Bourgogne Chardonnay 2018, Burgundy A.C., France: A cool-climate, crisp and zesty premier cru Chablis from Montmains, Burgundy. Lots of crisp green apple, pear, spicy, nutty, zesty citrus flavours with a mineral streak from beginning to end. Excellent, versatile food wine to pair with everything from roast Cornish game hens to grilled seafood dishes. Drink: 2020-2023. 455147 13% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. November 3, 2020 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review

Calmel & Joseph Villa Blanche Chardonnay 2019, IGP Pays d’Oc, Languedoc-Roussillon, France: It's little wonder that this wine won gold at the World Chardonnay Competition, yet it's so affordably priced. A terrific white wine from southern France that offers crisp minerality and refreshment, unusual for Chardonnay these days. Lots of lime-bright acidity for food, yet there's also an underlying richness and fullness to the wine that is mouth-filling and delicious! Very versatile with food, from fresh seafood to roast chicken or pork chops. Drink: 2020-2024. 375071 13.50% XD 750 mL  $18.15 Score: 90/100. December 3, 2020 Best Value White Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review

Lornano Chianti Classico 2015, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: There is a firm tannic grip on the palate and finish on this Chianti Classico from the Tuscany wine region. Lornano (2015) is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes and is well-priced under $20, but could use some cellar time to show its best. Pair with a rich meat-filled pasta and richer tomato sauce. Drink: 2019-2024. 211599 14.50% XD 750 mL  $20.95 Score: 92/100. November 5, 2020 Best Value Red Wine. Venerated Vegetarian Wine Full Review