Stay at home and buy local for under $20

Many of us want to support local wineries struggling through the pandemic. But Ontario wine can be pricey compared to similar bottles from elsewhere. A variety of reasons contribute to this reality. But delicious Ontario wines under $20 are out there. You just need to know which bottles to buy. A brilliant buy is the 2019 Featherstone Sauvignon Blanc, VQA Niagara Peninsula (Vintages 89011 $17.95)

with its bright scents of ripe yellow plum and juicy kiwi fruit. This wine is dry and refreshing. It rushes over the palate with lemon-lime-gooseberry flavour that persists on the finish making it an ideal partner for many dishes, from fried chicken to stir-fries, pesto pastas to crumbled cheese and nut topped salads. Score: 91

Also wonderfully quenching, but with a kiss of sweetness, is the 2018 Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling, VQA Niagara Peninsula (Vintages Essential 80234 $18.95). This racy wine tastes like a scoop of gourmet lime sorbet laced with a touch of grapefruit zest, green mango and sea salt. The 21 grams of residual sugar in this wine simply balances and polishes the tart. Terrific wine to pour as an aperitif on its own or with a nibble of gouda or goat cheese and crackers. Charming. Score: 91

With rosé season just around the corner, do snap up a bottle of the undervalued 2018 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Rosé, VQA Niagara Peninsula

(Vintages 172643 $17.95). It’s a gorgeous local expression of Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Pinot Noir that shines deep coral in the glass and brims with aromas of violet and wild strawberry before slipping over the palate like sheer silk, opening with smooth, dry flavours of muddled berries, baked apples and ruby grapefruit with a touch of crushed stone on the finish. Gorgeous wine that offers outstanding value and is a perfect choice for a snacky-style meal of meats, cheeses and really good bread. Score: 94

Another brilliant rosé is the NV Pelee Island Bella Sparkling Pinot Noir, VQA Ontario (LCBO 11597 $18.95).

This delicate, dry rosé with pretty packaging is uber-pale, threaded with fine bubbles, and is bottled under a handy screwcap. The nose is coy and restrained with barely there suggestions of red berries. Then, the attack is brisk but balanced, rather sophisticated tasting actually. Each elegant sip suggests fresh bread, strawberry, lemon curd and a touch of cool minerality. Total steal for less than $20. And delicious

with smoked salmon and cream cheese on toast points, sushi or Niçoise salad. Score: 94

Snap up what’s on shelves of the NV Pelee Island Bella Sparkling Pinot Noir. But if it sells out, rest assured more stock is on the way. Pelee Island Winery says the LCBO bought 800 cases of the wine and plans to distribute it in more than 300 stores in the coming months as part of the liquor giant’s seasonal rosé roll-out.

And a bottle I’ve recommended before that deserves another mention here is

the 2018 Megalomaniac Sparkling Personality, VQA Ontario (LCBO 469007 and at the winery, $19.95).

This pure Riesling with a low 9.5 per cent alcohol offers a sweet-and-sour hit of joy. Think intense flavours of lime laced with apricot, green apple and white flowers. And the flavours linger on the finish. I love this wine with spicy noodle dishes and Mexican fare. Score: 92