Quinta De Porrais Parcelas 2013
Douro D.O.C., Portugal
A pleasant, robust Portuguese red wine from the Douro Valley. Not overly aromatic, with some black dried fruit and oak on the nose. This wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Sousao grapes grown on vines planted in shale soils in the demarcated region of the Douro. The wine is aged for 9 months in French oak barriques. Pair with hamburgers.
Alcohol: 14%
Sweetness: Dry
Drink: 2014-2018
Price: $14.95
Score: 87/100
LCBO: 397422
Tsantali Reserve Rapsani Xynomavro 2012
Thessalia P.D.O., Greece
A rustic, tannic red wine with aromas of charred black fruit, toast, oak and smoke. Firm grip on the palate. It's a blend of traditional grapes including Xinomavro, Krassato, and Stavroto. Pair with hearty meat dishes.
Alcohol: 13.5%
Sweetness: Dry
Drink: 2015-2019
Price: $18.95
Score: 89/100
LCBO: 734855
Recanati Chardonnay 2014
Upper Galilee, Israel
Kosher for Passover, non-Mevushal Israeli white wine made from the classic Chardonnay grape. A lovely chardonnay with tropical fruit and caramelized toffee notes from the oak aging. Full-bodied and round. Tasty! The winery blends in 5% Muscat Canelli grapes for floral aromatics and lift. Good acidity.
Alcohol: 12.5%
Sweetness: Extra Dry
Drink: 2014-2017
Price: $24.95
Score: 88/100
LCBO: 128322
Southbrook Vineyards Connect White 2015
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario VQA, Canada
A pretty, floral white wine blend from Niagara that offers tremendous value and pleasure for the price. Notes of fresh apple blossom and honeydew. This is a blend of aromatic grapes including Vidal, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. The bonus? It's an organic wine. Pair with free range chickens and natural sunlight.
Alcohol: 9.9%
Sweetness: Medium Dry
Drink: 2015-2018
Price: $15.95
Score: 89/100
LCBO: 249078
Villa Maria Estate Private Bin Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Marlborough, New Zealand
This is just the third year that Villa Maria has produced this delightful, lightly sparkling wine. It's an interesting (and delicious) take on Sauvignon Blanc, for which New Zealand is famous. Tropical fruit and melon on the nose and palate. If you love moscato, try this wine. The bubbles don't dry out on the finish, yet it's refreshing. Perfect as an aperitif or companion to seafood.
Alcohol: 12.5%
Sweetness: Medium
Drink: 2015-2017
Price: $15.95
Score: 89/100
LCBO: 429969
