BOTTLES TO TRY

BONNY DOON VINEYARD VIN GRIS DE CIGARE 2020 ( UNITED STATES)

SCORE: 89 PRICE: $19.95

Bonny Doon’s popular rosé blends together a mix of six different grape varieties, red and white, from California’s Central Coast region to produce this dry and elegant rosé. Its vibrant character is nicely rounded out by some spicy notes on the finish that contribute to the refreshment factor. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $22.95 in Quebec.

BERNE INSPIRATION ROSÉ 2020

SCORE: 91 PRICE: $23.95

Produced at the Château de Berne estate in Provence, this refreshing pink wine offers appealing fragrance and flavours of red berries with herbal, spice and floral notes. Bright acidity and a smooth, round texture make for a nicely balanced and easy to appreciate rosé. Drink now to 2022. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta.

CASAL DI SERRA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2019 ( ITALY)

SCORE: 88 PRICE: $17.95

Produced at Umani Ronchi’s Casal di Serra Montecarotto vineyard in Marche, this fresh and inviting white wine is made entirely from organic verdicchio grapes. The mix of citrus, nutty and herbal flavours make for a pleasant aperitif or a wine to enjoy with any entrée that would benefit from a squeeze of lemon. Drink now to 2025. Available at the above price in Ontario, $19.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $20 in Quebec.

ON SEVEN ESTATE WINERY THE PURSUIT CHARDONNAY ( CANADA)

SCORE: 93 PRICE: $45

This impressive chardonnay from a small organic vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake is one to watch. There’s terrific balance between the ripe fruit and acidity and a fine brush stroke of oak that leads to a persistent finish. Youthful and engaging, this promises to mature nicely over time. Drink now to 2027. Available direct through onsevenwinery.ca.

SELBACH- OSTER ZELTINGER HIMMELREICH RIESLING KABINETT HALBTROCKEN 2018

SCORE: 91 PRICE: $34.95

This light and fragrant Mosel riesling is deliciously juicy and easy to appreciate. The wine’s well-rounded acidity and long, lingering finish, which suggests spicy and mineral flavours as well as honeyed fruit flavours, make for an exciting and enjoyable riesling to drink over the next two to five years. Drink now to 2026. Available in Ontario.

SUMMERHILL PYRAMID WINERY ESTATE GROWN BIODYNAMIC CHARDONNAY 2020 ( CANADA)

SCORE: 88 PRICE: $40

Made from Summerhill’s organic and biodynamically certified vineyard, this mellow and creamy chardonnay offers complex apple and custard notes. A blend of chardonnay fermented in tank and barrel, this is an approachable white wine that is rounded out by a slight sweetness. Drink now to 2024. Available direct through summerhill.bc.ca.

THE FARM NEUDORF VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2018 ( CANADA)

SCORE: 93 PRICE: $55

Neudorf Vineyard was originally known as Le Clos Jordanne’s Le Petite Colline, one of Niagara’s most celebrated single vineyard pinot noir releases. The 2018 shows the freshness, fragrance and fine tannins that made those early wines so compelling, with a ripe core of cherry and raspberry fruit that gain complexity from floral and earthy notes. Drink now to 2028. Available direct through thefarmwines.ca.