Opened in 2009 in the South Okanagan’s prestigious Golden Mile area near Oliver, Gold Hill Winery focuses on Bordeaux varietals, especially Cabernet Franc. Although Gold Hill’s pricey top-tier wines are frequent award winners, there is lots of pleasure to be had from their Charisma line of more everyday wines. The Charisma Merlot offers a light and bright array of sweet red-fruit notes such as plum, cherry, and berry, enhanced with hints of vanilla and oak. Silky smooth and full of charm, this Merlot is a tasty little splurge at $29.
For well over a century, Bodega Trapiche has been a fixture on the Argentinian wine scene. Their Reserve Malbec, which hails from the prestigious Mendoza region, is rich and bold and deeply coloured. Attractive dark-fruit aromas expand on the palate as blackberry and cherry flavours combine with a spicy earthiness, while the round mouthfeel is followed by a finish with an appealing sweetness. Although the Trapiche is fairly priced at $18.50, Malbec fans who appreciate complexity may want to spend a few dollars more on something like Zuccardi Serie A or Uko Select.
Anyone looking for an affordable, crowd-pleasing white shouldn’t hesitate about grabbing an armful of the Cono Sur Bicicleta Reserva Viognier, one of Chile’s most attractive wine deals at $15. Dry and aromatic, the fruit-forward and nearly full-bodied Cono Sur is replete with flavours of ripe pear, melon, and peach with a floral overlay that’s complemented by a moderate acidity. Round in the mouth and silky smooth, this savoury easy-drinker goes with everything from appetizers to shrimp tacos or a Thai curry.
Say hello to an Italian red called Tenute Rossetti Poggio Civetta Governo All’uso – both a mouthful to say and a mouthful to savour. A Tuscan blend featuring 70% Sangiovese, the Civetta is smooth and silky, lush and seductive, with flavours of black cherry, cassis, raspberry, chocolate, and spice. Made via the governo method, where some of the grapes are dried prior to the winemaking, thus imparting complexity and a luxuriant mouthfeel, this is not unlike a junior Amarone. With its delicious fruit and long, sweet finish, this hedonistic wine is well worth $34.50. (All prices include tax.)
