Ontario Chardonnay with a generous oak signature: baked apple, lemon curd, peach and mango wrapped in vanilla, toast, hazelnut and butterscotch. The palate is creamy and full, but bright citrus acidity and flinty minerality keep the richness from feeling flat, leading to a warm, lingering finish.
Oyster Bay is one of New Zealand's most popular producers. This bright, juicy rosé evokes tangy red cherry, strawberry, citrus and melon notes and has a vivacious, food-friendly acidity. Sip it with seafood or pork chops.
Classic Rioja maturity comes through in ripe cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant, wrapped with vanilla, dill, leather, tobacco, cedar, balsamic and dark chocolate. The palate is full and mellow, with polished tannins and impressive length that can stand beside roast chicken, beef or slow-cooked dishes.
Rose, sage mixed with dark and red berries. On the palate there was a lovely freshness to the fruit, balanced with a vanilla kick. [This will drink into the mid-2030s.] Score - 95. (International Wine Challenge, 2024)
Every year Pieropan captures the soul of Soave, Garganega and the vintage in such a pristine way that it keeps us in awe. This vintage shines with aromas of Fuji pears, Anjou apples, lemon blossom and flint. The palate is crisp with green apple skin and lemon zest flavors that give way to toasted almonds, acacia honey and a minerality so deep that you might as well be in a quarry. Drink now-2040. Best Buy. Score - 93. (Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast, Oct. 1, 2024)
Red cherry, raspberry and strawberry lead this Marlborough Pinot Noir, joined by clove, cedar and a light smoky-earthy note. Supple tannins and mouthwatering acidity keep the palate graceful, with savoury depth adding interest through the finish.
Campania Fiano brings texture as well as brightness, with pear, apple, peach and lemon layered over almond, honey and a dusty mineral finish. The palate is rounded yet zesty, giving it range with seafood, fried sardines, roast chicken or citrusy vegetable dishes.
Redstone is an outpost of Ontario's iconic Tawse and is named for the red soil of the vineyard. This lithe rosé is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Syrah and is loaded with strawberry, citrus, cantaloupe, cherry, peach, and red pepper. Chill and then sip, or pour with grilled sausages, prosciutto, or brunch with a ricotta frittata and broccolini.
Vines planted on the gentle slopes of the Niagara-on-the-Lake region enjoy ideal sun exposure throughout the day. Lake Ontario, the Niagara River and the Niagara Escarpment moderate temperatures, allowing the flavours in white grapes to ripen fully while retaining fresh, buoyant acidity. That's certainly present in this wine, along with a delicate hint of fruit sweetness and notes of citrus, lychee, apple and spice.
A skin-fermented white blend of 78% Riesling and 22% Gewürztraminer fermented with wild yeast and aged for six months (85% in neutral French oak and the remaining 15% in clay amphorae) before blending. It then saw a further two months in stainless steel. It shows notes of roses and white flowers, with tangerine and tropical fruit flavours on the palate.
Puglia Primitivo gives a generous, velvety red built around plum, blackberry jam, ripe cherry and dried red fruit. Vanilla, oak, marzipan and warm spice add a plush backdrop, while the dry finish reins in the sweetness. Bring it to pizza, pasta or steak.
This blend of Sangiovese and Merlot offers a rich, ripe array of dark fruit, herbs, spice, chocolate and vanilla. It will drink through 2026+.[Luca Maroni tasting note not available.] Score - 98. (lucamaroni.com, Oct. 25, 2023)
Vilarnau uses native yeasts to ferment the Viura, Xarel-lo and Parellada grapes in this stylish Cava. There are many layers to unravel in this lovely wine; look for notes of yellow apple, biscuits, and hints of jasmine.[The Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards did not include a tasting note.] Score - Double Gold. (Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards, 2022)
Wairarapa Pinot Gris lands on the fuller side, offering ripe pear, red apple, peach and melon with hints of honey, almond and ginger. A waxy texture gives substance, while balanced acidity keeps the finish clean. Pair it with salmon, seafood pasta or mildly spiced dishes.
Intensely aromatic and inviting, the bouquet shows kiwifruit, green rockmelon, feijoa and sweet basil aromas, followed by a succulent palate delivering terrific fruit power combined with juicy acidity, finishing long and exuberant. At its best: now to 2026. Score - 94. (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, March 2024)
Delicate Languedoc Grenache rosé arrives pale and fragrant, with strawberry, melon, peach, red currant and citrus. Subtle herbs, minerals and a faint creamy note add interest without weight. Dry, refreshing and flexible, it suits roast turkey, summer salads or casual appetizers.
This Roussillon white blend mixes pear, melon, lemon, lime and white peach with almond, honey, herbs and a lightly creamy texture. Fresh acidity and mineral grip keep the richer Rhône-blend notes in check, while a faint smoky, nutty edge makes it versatile with olives, seafood or antipasti.
Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, eucalyptus, rosemary and white pepper, and tea with a velvety, lively, dry medium body and a warming, interesting, medium-length finish that exhibits nuances of blackberry, leather and white pepper, menthol, and red and black cherry with herbs with crunchy, chewy tannins and light oak flavor. A big Shiraz that stays in balance and doesn't become heavy while still showing good complexity; a natural pairing for rare steak or herb crusted lamb. Exceptional. Score - 91. (tastings.com, Sept. 12, 2024)
McLaren Vale personality runs bold here, with blackberry, blueberry, black plum and ripe cherry wrapped in smoke, licorice, leather, chocolate and pepper. The body is full, the texture velvety, and the finish savoury. Ideal for barbecue, charred vegetables or hearty winter cooking.
Tavel is famous for its robust, colourful, flavourful rosés. This one always delivers impressive red fruit and berry, with nuanced citrus and mineral undertones. Expect a richly textured, versatile wine that will make fast friends with a wide range of summer foods including green salads, grilled herbed chicken breast or grilled seafood.