We are just emerging from a profoundly deep tunnel of winter, and spring is joyfully on our minds.
The barbecue has emerged from its ten-foot snowdrift, the planks on our decks have shed their cloak of ice, and best of all, friends and neighbours have emerged from their caves to frolic outdoors.
My task: Great wines for spring. For every winner I discover, I have tasted and rejected more than 100 wines, so these are special. The quality is very high, the pricetag very low.
Now that's a recipe for dancing through the forsythia and lilacs. Just don't tell everyone about them, we don't want them to sell out! Enjoy!
L'Argolle 2012 Sauvignon Blanc/Viognier
Rating: 90+
#348904, $11.95
(France)
Stunning seafood white
Dishes up a bouquet of lilacs and floral pink grapefruit and zingy honeysuckle and Anjou pear flavours. And then there's a clover blossom, nectarine, peach and tangerine finish.
Gustav Schmitt 2012 Niersteiner Spatlese
Rating: 89+
#262337, $10.95
(Germany)
Gentle patio sweetie
Unveils a spring like bouquet of jasmine, honeycomb and peach. The flavours are sweet from late hanging grapes, with honeyed apricot, yellow apple and peach. Super elegant, full of delicate floral accents.
Peninsula Ridge Top Bench 2011 White
Rating: 89+
#226803, $13.95
(Niagara)
Sexy Canadian choice
A brilliant yet playful blend of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and gewurztraminer showing spicy pear and candied lychee aromas with spiced apple and mellow pear flavours.
Rutini Trumpeter 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Rating: 89+/90
#218842, $12.95
(Argentina)
Bring out the burgers
Boasts a cheerful bouquet of big cherry, vanilla and vanilla pod with big flavours featuring cocoa bean, cedar and black cherry with a hint of ripe raspberry. Intense fruit.
Caliterra Reserva 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Rating: 89+
#257329, $9.95
(Chile)
Backyard barbecue city
Presents plump plum, black cherry and a hint of mocha in the aromas, with flavours of tangy black cherry, vanilla, plums and a hint of cedar. A mellow style with a rich finish.