top picks
BETTY SETKA Cantina Leonardo Da Vinci 2006 Chianti DOCG Italy $ 15.99
This Chianti is a great fruit-forward wine that goes well with all kinds of starters, light meat dishes, and, of course, pasta of all types. The deep ruby red colour compliments the cherry and red fruit aromas. The wine is fresh in the mouth with soft tannins. There is just a hint of spicy pepper notes to add a little zing to the wine. A great wine to share with family and friends!
ANDREA EBY Domaine Astruc 2007 dA Merlot Limoux, France $ 13.99
If you are looking for a versatile wine that pairs nicely with food and is also great by the glass, then look no further. New to the store, Domaine Astruc has a range of good value wines and their Merlot is one of them! Medium-bodied with nice acidity and smooth tannins, aromas of bright red fruit, plum, mocha and a touch of spice that wafts out of the glass.
CARMEL STOESZ Il Faggeto Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, Italy $ 18.99
Here’ s a yummy little sparkling wine that will get everyone into a celebratory mood. Made from the Prosecco grape in northern Italy, this lightly sparkling wine displays medium bubbles with a soft hint of yeast on the nose, along with citrus and white stone fruit aromas. With fresh acidity to liven your palate and those delicious soft fruit notes, it is a wine for any occasion and delicious paired with almost any dish.
PAULINE BURNETT Arabella 2006 Merlot South Africa $ 10.99
A party favourite from waaay down under! This great little buy is full of fresh plums and dried red fruit. Its smoothness is guaranteed to impress even the seasoned wine drinker. A perfect wine to cozy up with at the fire on a cold winter’ s night, it is a great match with roast pork and mushrooms.
62 www. banvilleandjones. com
RICK WATKINS Heartland 2006 Director’ s Cut Shiraz South Australia $ 46.99
Crafted by Australian wine genius Ben Glaetzer, this Shiraz has a gorgeous nose of vanilla oak with a hint of eucalyptus. It shows intense dark berry flavours, cassis, licorice, and spice. Fantastic now, but it will be stunning in three to five years. Awarded 98 points by Vintage Direct, buy a six-pack and follow its evolution for the next five years.
JILL KWIATKOSKI Conundrum 2006 California White Table Wine California, United States $ 36.99
One of Napa Valley’ s white gems! A fresh, full-flavoured, well-rounded wine, this little Californian is a magnificent blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Viognier, and Chardonnay – it will keep your palate intrigued with every sip. As the winery so delightfully explains,“ The‘ puzzle’ of Conundrum lies partly in guessing the range of grape varieties we use, because we never reveal its exact composition.”