Sparkling – Canada
Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut, NV (Niagara Peninsula) – $28.99
Bright inviting nose of stone fruits that continues on the palate with pears, apples, minerals and lime on the finish. Lively acidity and plenty of effervescence. A polished sparkler with terrific depth of flavor.
Sparkling – Italy
Ruby Donna Moscato, NV (Italy) – $10
Engaging nose of nectarines, floral aromas with fresh apricots and pear on the palate. Low in alcohol, this wine is balanced between sweetness and crisp acidity and done in a tingly frizzante style. A don’t-worry-be-happy style of wine.
Ruby Dolce Malvasia di Casorzo, 2018 (Piedmont) – $12
Aromas of raspberries, strawberries and spice. Think cherry cobbler with cinnamon. This is a fun, juicy, sweet style of frizzante red wine, and at 5.5 percent alcohol, it’s easy to enjoy!
Rosé – Canada
Two Sisters Vineyards Margo, 2017 (Niagara Peninsula) – $17.99
Salmon pink color. Aromas of sweet strawberries with a backdrop of Red Delicious apples. This flavor-rich dry rosé displays a clean crispness with a hint of sweetness.
White – Italy
Anziano Pinot Grigio, 2018 (Terra Degli Osci) – $8.99
Aromatic nose of lemon/limes are firmly anchored with a touch of honeydew and bright grassy notes on the nose, and lime zest on the finish. A crisp and pleasant daily drinker!
Gambellara “I Basalti” Soave, 2018 (Soave) – $10.99
Perfumed nose of white grapefruit and minerals. Citrus flavors on the palate mingle with guava and honeydew with some tart pineapple on the finish. Light body with round mouthfeel. Made from 100 percent Garganega.
Monchiero Arneis, 2018 (Langhe) – $16.99
Modest aromas of tropical fruit and hints of dried banana chips. This really gets interesting on the palate, with focused flavors of lemongrass and flinty rocks that linger. Crisp and dry finish. Made from 100 percent Arneis.
Villa Serafin Pinot Grigio, 2018 (Terra Degli Osci) – $10.99
Mild nose of melon rind and citrus. Honeydew and bit of minerality on the palate. Round and silky mouthfeel with fresh acidity.
Giorgio Z Pinot Grigio, 2018 (Friuli) – $17.99
Deep yellow hue. Lush nose of guava and papaya with hints of Asian spice. Pears and some honey blossom on the palate. Medium-bodied with concentrated flavors.
Ottella Lugana Bianco, 2018 (Lugana) – $22.99
Intense nose of grapefruit and crystallized lime rind, with peach and tangerine on the finish. Medium body with mouthwatering acidity. This is a very engaging wine and well worth tracking down. Made from 100 percent Trebbiano.
Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio, 2018 (Alto Adige) – $17
Lily of the Valley, peach and minerality on the nose. Ripe melons along with floral and subtle herbal notes continue on the palate. Nice depth of flavors and round mouthfeel with a dry, crisp finish.
Franco Serra Gavi, 2018 (Gavi) – $12.99
Understated nose of Clementine and hay with some ripe pink grapefruit on the finish. Straightforward fruit balanced by a dry, firm finish. Made from 100 percent Cortese.
Il Cantico Pinot Grigio, 2018 (Veneto) – $8
Candied lemon, citrus and minerality on the nose followed by Granny Smith apple. A light-bodied wine with a tart, crisp finish to refresh on a hot summer day.
Reds – California
Sterling Vineyards Vintner’s Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017 (California) – $12
Blueberries, grape preserves and black fruits with spice and cloves. Chocolate and candied apple on the palate. Straightforward black fruit with moderate tannins.
Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016 (Napa Valley) – $25
Loads of ripe black fruits, plums, vanilla, spice, and black licorice. Full-bodied, velvety mouthfeel. An approachable, impressive and satisfying Cab.
The Prisoner Wine Company Eternally Silenced Pinot Noir, 2017 (California) – $54.99
Lovely notes of spice, black licorice, and cherry cigar. Dark chocolate-dipped cherries and a bit of spiced oak give the palate a rich, plush texture. A well-balanced and lengthy finish.
Reds – Canada
13th Street Winery Gamay, 2017 (Niagara Peninsula) – $14.99
A dark, brooding nose of earth and macerated cherries. Dark cherries and smoky notes on the palate with some Old-World personality. Medium body, dry with a tart cherry finish.
13th Street Winery Cabernet Franc, 2017 (Creek Shores) – $24.99
Deep garnet color. Bing cherries, vanilla and earthiness on the nose. Smoke and cherries with fresh herbs on the palate. Light to medium body with subtle tannins.
Megalomaniac Bravado Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016 (Niagara Peninsula) – $34.99
Aromas of plums, blackcurrants and cassis. Full-bodied, luscious fruit. A well-crafted, classic Cab profile that exudes sexy sophistication.
Reds – France
Ferraton Pére & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Red, 2017 (Côtes du Rhône) – $16
Aromas of spice and red fruits, Morello cherries and black pepper. Delicate flavors of wild berries and dried herbs, with woodsy undertones. A well-balanced, medium-bodied wine with nice acidity.
Reds – Italy
Rubus Pinot Noir, 2017 (Veneto) – $14.99
Aromas of vanilla and dark cherries, with undertones of smoked. Wild berries framed in charred oak. Its silky texture and solid core of acidity energizes this food-friendly wine.
Meridia Primitivo, 2017 (Salento) – $11.99
Lots of plums, spice, vanilla and eucalyptus transition to blackcurrants, tobacco leaf and cocoa nibs on the palate. Medium body, round mouthfeel with a fair amount of gritty tannins. Made from 100 percent Primitivo.
Resonata Nero d’Avola, 2017 (Sicily) – $9.99
A clean, aromatic nose of black fruits, plums, and cloves that carry through to the palate. A full-bodied wine with balanced fruit and good tannic structure. A well-built wine and terrific value. Made from 100 percent Nero d’Avola.
Castelvecchio di Montepescini Chianti Colli Senesi, 2017 (Chianti Colli Senesi) – $17.99
Intense sour-cherry nose with cinnamon apple and plenty of spice. Savory dried herbs and red fruits on the palate. This tightly wound wine has lots of acidity and tannins and will need time to relax, but it would be great now with peppered steak. Made from 90 percent Sangiovese and 10 percent Cannialo.
Busi Chianti Rufina, 2017 (Chianti Rufina) – $16.99
An expressive nose of red fruits, Rainier cherries, leather and dried herbs with spice and blueberries on the palate backed by firm tannins. With air, this is a very tasty, fruit-forward style of Chianti!
Franco Serra Barbaresco, 2016 (Barbaresco) – $28.99
Brilliant ruby color. Powerful nose of red fruits with savory, floral, and earthy notes. Black tea and cranberries on the palate. Silky mouthfeel. Very tannic. Young and needs some time. Made from 100 percent Nebbiolo.
Antica Vigna Ripasso Valpolicella, 2016 (Valpolicella) – $24.99
Licorice and dried fig with a sweet fruitiness leading to dried plums and blueberries on the palate. This medium-bodied wine has great balance and complexity, and it is easy to enjoy. Made from 50 percent Corvina, 45 percent Rondinella, and 5 percent Merlot.
Fattoria di Basciano I PINI, 2017 – $29
A blend of equal parts Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot with concentrated flavors of cassis, violets, blackcurrants and dark chocolate. A full-bodied wine with ripe, focused flavors and polished tannins.
Renzo Masi Chianti Riserva, 2017 (Chianti) – $16
Dark plums, licorice and hints of mocha on the nose transition into deep cherry, earthy and dusty flavors on the palate. This wine has moderate tannins and displays restraint.
Dessert – Canada
Ziraldo Riesling Icewine, 2014 (Niagara Peninsula) – $49.99/375ml
Apricot marmalade, lemons baked in honey, and a hint of honeysuckle on the nose. Pralines and hazelnuts on the palate. This is viscous, with enough acidity to keep it in check.
