You've worked hard and it's time to relax with good wine. Treat yourself this long weekend with the wines below that work well beside the barbecue or on the dock.
V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
Buttery, balanced and beautiful. Full-bodied chardonnay with toasted almond and green apple aromas and flavours. The grapes for this wine come from vines planted in 1959, the oldest Chardonnay vines in Canada according to the winemaker. To achieve extra richness, roundness and depth, this chardonnay was both barrel fermented and barrel aged in mostly new American oak for 1 year. Pair with roast chicken. Alcohol: 14% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2013‐2016 Charming Chicken Wine Top Rated White Wine Price: $22.95 Score: 92/100 LCBO: 352328
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Grassy, herbal and vibrant with terrific mouth-watering acidity for seafood and salads. Beguiling and tangy with a great kick of lime zing on the finish. Top me up! Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: Asian chicken salad, pork tenderloin, asparagus and linguine carbonara, asparagus and sugar snap pea soup, avocado and papaya salad. Alcohol: 13.5% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2012‐2014 Splendid Salad Wine Top Rated White Wine Price: $19.95 Score: 91/100 LCBO: 141499
A.C., Burgundy, France
Clean and crisp with a dry finish. White peach and lemon on the palate with a lovely medium body. Very typical of the region. Brisk with a lick of lemon zest on the finish. Chablis food pairings: prawn bisque, brie fondue, mushroom stuffed chicken breast, oysters, grilled vegetables. Alcohol: 12.7% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2012‐2017 Scrumptious Seafood Wine Price: $19.95 Score: 89/100 LCBO: 41780
Mendoza, Argentina
Juicy, generous and mouth-watering with aromas of purple plum, black plum and mocha-dark chocolate. This wine was matured for six months in American and French oak. Great value. Perfect for hamburgers. Alcohol: 13.5% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2013‐2016 Smart Buy Wine Best Value Red Wine Price: $14.95 Score: 90/100 LCBO: 330670
California, United States
Don't buy it for the whimsical name: buy it because it's good! Loaded with black fruit and dark chocolate aromas. Smooth and full-bodied with a lovely juiciness for many dishes. A blend of zinfandel, merlot and cabernet sauvignon grapes. Food pairings: saucy pulled-pork sammies, braised short ribs with chocolate and rosemary. Alcohol: 13.5% Sweetness: Dry 750 ml Drink: 2012‐2015 Price: $17.95 Score: 90/100 LCBO: 308007
Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia
Full-bodied and mouth-watering. Black and super smoky and oaky. Full-bodied with a dry finish. Fire up the barbecue! Shiraz food pairings: lamb cutlets, hamburgers, pork with soy. Alcohol: 14.5% Sweetness: Dry 750 ml Drink: 2012‐2015 Luscious Lamb Wine Price: $22.95 Score: 90/100 LCBO: 214742
W.O., Western Cape, South Africa
A terrific, black smoke, big oak red with brooding dark fruit and cedar notes. Perfect for when you almost got a hole in one... Yes, this is named after the famous golfer who owns the winery. This wine is a blend of mostly shiraz with some cabernet sauvignon with small dashes of cinsault, mourvèdre, grenache and viognier grapes. Savoury, meaty note with mouth-watering juiciness. Let's go back to the clubhouse and discuss. Food pairings: grilled beef medallions in a peppercorn sauce. Alcohol: 14.5% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2012‐2016 Best Beef Wine Price: $19.95 Score: 91/100 LCBO: 220038
A.C., Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Full-bodied with fleshy black fruit, smoke and a touch of tar on the nose and palate. Great Bordeaux for the price. Decant 2 hours for maximum pleasure and pair with a rare steak. Alcohol: 14% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2014‐2018 Best Beef Wine Price: $28.95 Score: 90/100 LCBO: 189241
Horse Heaven Hills, Washington State, United States
Full-bodied, savoury, meaty and juicy with classic aromas and flavours of black fruit and mocha toasty oak. Cocoa and dark spice on the finish. Nice. Alcohol: 14.1% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2013‐2016 Pizza Pleaser Wine Price: $34.95 Score: 90/100 LCBO: 955617
Carneros, California, United States
Tart and mouth-watering with mysteries of black cherry aromas and flavours. Almost full-bodied, complex and not overly fruity. Great acidity for planked salmon. Pinot Noir food pairings: prime rib, grilled steaks. Alcohol: 13.5% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2013‐2017 Best Beef Wine Price: $34.95 Score: 90/100 LCBO: 359265