Gérard Bertrand Terroir Picpoul de Pinet 2022

AOP Picpoul De Pinet, Languedoc, France, $18.95 (13000) 13.0% alcohol

The 1618 on the bottle stands for a famous botanist, in 1618, writing in his book Sylve Plantarium as he pointed out that picpoul wine grapes were excellent and, in fact, the very best white grapes in the Languedoc region. And they still are! Pour alongside pan-seared seafood or steamed mussels. (Vic Harradine)

Claymore Wines ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ ‘Shiraz’ 2021

G. I. Clare Valley, Barossa, Australia, $19.95 (72652) 14.3% alcohol

Alluring aromas beguile the lucky taster(s) – dark berry fruit; blackberry, baking spices, ripe dark cherry and plenty of tang and pizzazz on the palate. The tannins are quite soft and very well balanced. This is a bit sharp and can be easily modified with a 30 minute decant of the wine before you try it. The price is well in your favour. Pour with premium beef steak, osso buco or backyard burgers. (Vic Harradine)

Black Bank Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2020

VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Ontario $40.00 13.0% alcohol

I love Ontario cabernet franc and this one scores high on my deliciousness scale. Starting with the gorgeous nose of jalapeño mingling with ripe sweet black cherry, star anise, pipe tobacco, violet and the list goes on. There’s an excellent fruit concentration here—black cherry, purple plum—followed by the peppery/savoury character that gives so much complexity to this medium-full-bodied beauty matured 20 months in used French oak barrels. Expect powdery tannin astringency in the lovely peppery finish, perfect for a rare flank steak on the grill. This has room for further bottle maturation but is certainly hard to resist now. Aerate/decant one hour before dinner time. (Louise Boutin)

Black Bank Hill Estate Vineyard Syrah 2020

VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Ontario $55.00 13.5% alcohol

Hand-harvested on the first day of November after a superb growing season, this syrah is ripe and very expressive with beautiful aromas of blackberry, purple plum, dark chocolate and a good dose of black pepper, typical of the varietal. It is truly like velvet on the palate with an excellent core of black fruit flavours, cocoa powder and a delicious black olive briny note persisting in the endless fruit forward, peppery and dry mineral finish. This medium-full-bodied gem will definitely further evolve with proper cellaring but can be enjoyed now with grilled Toulouse sausage or eggplant parmigiana. (Louise Boutin)

Henry of Pelham Pinot Grigio 2023

VQA Niagara Peninsula, $15.95 (250217) 12.0% alcohol

The Pinot Grigio is a refreshing white wine of 100% Pinot Grigio that displays excellent balance and good acidity and plenty of good tropical fruit – pineapple, Mirabelle plum and muskmelon, along with salinity and mineral notes, on the finish and aftertaste. Give this a go with ceviche, roast chicken or pasta salad. (Vic Harradine)

Henry Of Pelham Cabernet Merlot 2022

VQA Niagara Peninsula, $16.95 (504241) 13.0% alcohol

For over two decades this Cabernet Franc - Merlot – and Cabernet Sauvignon new-world tradition as an age-worthy wine with black currant and black, juicy, Bing cherry. Taste the new-Old-World from Henry of Pelham estate vineyards. Give this a go, poured with charcuterie, roasted meat, grilled vegetables or pour this wine on its own. (Vic Harradine)

Speck Brothers Family Tree ‘Boxer’s Ghost’ Pinot Noir 2022

VQA Niagara Peninsula, $19.95 (30622) 12.5% alcohol

1t was the 1800’s and after a long day at the horse track, (now the Devil’s Hollow) an unofficial boxing match broke out. Bets were placed and the ‘wrong man’ won. He was never seen again (alive, at least…) This delectable Pinot Noir is simply delicious from first swirl and aroma to the balanced and spicy finish and aftertaste. The retail price at the winery is a tad under twenty dollars. Pour alongside Osso buco, Bolognese sauce or tomato pasta sauce and fettuccine noodles. (Vic Harradine)