BUYING GUIDE

es and apricots with bitter almond on the long finish. Drink to 2021. (RL)*

CAVE VINICOLE DE HUNAWIHR RIESLING 2016, AC ALSACE ($18)

Light gold. Slightly petillant. Appealing nose of delicious apple, mango and lime. Medium bodied with tart acidity over citrus flavours. Drink up. (RL)*

E. GUIGAL 2017, AC CÔTES DU RHÔNE ($20)

Medium-deep gold. Powerful fruit salad nose includes pineapple, pear and banana. A full-bodied, full-flavored white, tasting of apples and pears, and bone dry despite the sweetness of the nose. Perfect with Chinese crispy-skinned roast pork and cumin-roasted veggies. Drink now. Good value. (RL)

PORTUGAL SOALHEIRO ALLO 2018, MINHO IGP ($14.85)

Made of 50% Loureiro and 50% Alvarinho, this highly regarded producer from the Vinho Verde region crafts an easy-todrink fresh white offering outstanding value. Light with bright acid and juicy notes of lime, lemon, laurel and stone fruit, ALLO is just as easy to drink on its own as it is with sushi, steamed clams or Thai curry. Buy by the case! (MB)

POÇAS JÚNIOR VALE DE CAVALOS BRANCO 2017, DOURO DOC ($16.60)

The whites of the Douro Valley are too often in the shadow of the region’s reds. This is a great example of how much character and value the whites can offer. Full body with rich texture balanced by fresh acid. Pleasing lush notes of guava, passion fruit and a welcomed citrus bitterness. Great match with poultry or creamy seafood pasta. (MB)

SOUTH AFRICA WARWICK PROFESSOR BLACK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016, WESTERN CAPE ($15)

Pale yellow. Robust nose of gooseberry and passion fruit. Thankfully unoaked, which lets the tartly acidic flavours of grapefruit, lemon and lime shine through. Drink up. (RL)*

NEW ZEALAND ALLAN SCOTT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018, MARLBOROUGH ($14)

Light yellow. Nose of gooseberry, nettle leaves, orange and grapefruit. Medium bodied, flavours of gooseberry accented by lime peel and grapefruit bitters. Good value. Drink now. (RL)

UNITED STATES CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE RIESLING 2018, COLUMBIA VALLEY ($14)

Medium-deep gold. Medium-intensity nose of pear, lime and pineapple. Medium bodied for a Riesling, tasting of lime, pineapple and Asian apple-pear. Drink now. Good value. (RL)

RECOMMENDED FRANCE DOMAINE CLOS ST. LEGER CHARDONNAY 2015, AOP MÂCON-VILLAGES ($14)

Deep brass colour. Medium nose of a caramel-coated MacIntosh apple, also some banana. Medium bodied, tasting of apple and citrus with a tart cherry leaf finish. A good value, typical, workmanlike Mâcon-Villages. Drink up. (RL)*

GERMANY DEINHARD RIESLING 2017, PIESPORTER ($9)

Entry-level German Riesling, among many people’s first wine, reliably consistent if not particularly memorable. Pale yellow, fairly strong nose of lime, peach, mango and almond. Medium bodied, tasting of pears and peaches. Slightly sweet but high acidity helps. Drink now. (RL)

GREECE MEGA SPILEO ASSYRTIKO 2017, PGI ACHAIA ($15)

The first sip transports you immediately to the sunny climes of the Peloponnese. Medium body with a slightly oily texture and notes of stone fruit and dried herbs underlined by lemon zest. The fresh acidity and pleasant bitterness provide the necessary element to pair with scallop ceviche or roasted lemon chicken. Great value. (MB)

ITALY VELENOSI VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO DOC 2018 ($15.25)

Light and fresh with rounded texture and appealing notes of red apple, melon, almond and lemon. Simple yet so pleasing and easy to drink. Well suited for salad and white fish simply prepared. (MB)

SOUTH AFRICA

KLOOF-EN-BERG CHENIN BLANC 2017, WESTERN CAPE ($10)

Pale gold. Faint nose of flowers, lemon

and a bit of pine. Tart on the palate, tasting of pineapple, Granny Smith apple and lemonade. Drink through 2020. (RL)*

UNITED STATES FETZER SHALEY LOAM GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2017, MONTEREY ($11)

Colour of a brass doorknob. Medium-intensity nose of lychee and peaches. Medium bodied, tasting of more peaches and orange. Slightly sweet, but a pinch of acidity lightens the texture. Drink now. (RL)

$20.01 TO $35 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CANADA BENCH 1775 ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018, NARAMATA BENCH ($25.99)

From six different lots, five were stainless steel fermented with one lot barrel fermented in new French oak for a little extra weight and added texture. Aromas of citrus and sage before a palate of gooseberry, guava and citrus, excellent fruit acid balance, with grapefruit and herbal notes through the finish. (TP)

AMULET WHITE 2018, OKANAGAN VALLEY ($26.99)

Inaugural release of a new label of Rhone-inspired wines by Naramata winemaker Dwight Sick, in collaboration with Roche Wines. Of note is the impressive packaging highlighted by an amulet-styled medallion. This is a blend of mainly Viognier (90%) from two differing sites with 10% Marsanne yields. It offers inviting aromas of honey and stone fruit, followed by a well-balanced peachand citrus-toned palate defined by juicy acidity with some peppery notes towards the close. Six months on lees in mainly used French oak, unfined and unfiltered. Gentle decanting recommended. (TP)

FRANCE MÉLANIE PFISTER FURD PINOT GRIS 2016, ALSACE AOC ($25)

If you thought that Pinot Gris was bland with no personality, this wine will change your mind. Medium body with nice creamy texture and notes of honey, pear and melon, which are in harmony with the pleasant bread-dough notes coming from lees contact. Great balance and an absolute joy with quiche, seared scallops or turkey. (MB)

DOMAINE ZIND HUMBRECHT MUSCAT TURCKHEIM 2016, ALSACE DOC ($27.40)

What a great expression of Muscat from Alsace! Dry with medium body and expressive notes of fresh grapes, orange blossom and lavender. The pleasant bitterness on the finish compensates for the soft acid. It is so pleasing on its own but will make Münster cheese or canard à l’orange shine, no doubt! (MB)

OVER $35 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FRANCE DOMAINE CHANTE CIGALE 2015, AOP CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE ($46)

Equal blend of four Rhône varietals: Grenache Blanc, Rousanne, Clairette and (my favorite grape name) Bourboulenc. Medium-deep gold. Medium-intensity nose of cantaloupe, pineapple and lime. Light bodied. A bone-dry food wine despite the sweetness of the aromas. Tastes of apple, pear and grapefruit with grapefruit pith bitterness on the long finish. Powerful flavours do well with full-flavoured foods. Pricey but worth it as a treat. Drink now. (RL)

ROSÉ BORDERTOWN CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2018 ($17.49)

With a deliberate nod to Provence, pale to medium salmon in the glass, forward red berry notes followed by quince, rhubarb and watermelon plus some earthy notes through a refreshing, dry close. Speaking of salmon, it might be time to dust off your favourite recipe. (TP)

RED $20 AND UNDER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CANADA HESTER CREEK CHARACTER 2018, GOLDEN MILE BENCH ($18.99)

This good value red blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Malbec opens nicely in the glass to lifted red and black fruit. Good mouthfeel and solid fruit acid balance with approachable tannins and good length, cherries and spice to close. (TP)

FONTE DEL RE 2016, LACRIMA DI MORRO D’ALBA DOC ($20) ITALY

Charming vibrant red plum and dark cherry with beautiful lifted notes of violet and roses seduce immediately. Delicate yet firm tannins with fresh acidity and medium body. This off-the-beaten path red is well worth the discovery. A delicious match with game meat. I dream of venison with a red berry sauce. (MB)

RECOMMENDED VINA LA RESERVA DE CALIBORO ERASMO 2013, MAULE ($20) CHILE

Pungent tar and herbaceous aromas so often associated with Chile mingle with dark blackberries, cassis, cedar and tobacco. Full body with firm tannins and fresh acid that balances the ripeness of fruit. Hard to believe this wine is from the 2013 vintage. Still very youthful. Ribs or hamburger are both a good pairing. (MB)

FRANCE DOMAINE BADOZ, GRAINS DE POULSARD SANS SOUFRE AJOUTÉ 2018, CÔTES DU JURA AOC ($20)

Light body with delicate tannins and