La Ferme du Mont Le Ponnant Côtes du Rhône 2015
The Cotes du Rhône region produces red wines that are ideal for cold winter evenings. They can be blends of up to 14 local varieties but the one I have in mind is 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. It’s La Ferme du Mont Le Ponnant Côtes du Rhône 2015. Dense purple in colour – as you’d expect from a warm sunny vintage that far south – it’s got a nose of blackberries and vanilla oak; full-bodied and dry, it has a distinct flavour of freshly picked blackberries with fresh acidity. It costs $19.95 at Vintages outlets. Ideal for winter casseroles. That’s La Ferme du Mont Le Ponnant Côtes du Rhône 2015 from France. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS. ($20.95, Vintages #171371)

Domaine de la Chaise Touraine Sauvignon 2016
Here’s a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire’s Touraine region that comes on like a white Bordeaux. Domaine de la Chaise Touraine Sauvignon 2016. Medium straw in colour, it has a spicy, lanolin and lemon balm nose with a note of cut grass. Medium-bodied and crisply dry, it has flavours of elderberries and gooseberries – very fresh and lively on the palate. A fish and seafood wine if ever there was one. It costs $16.95 at Vintages outlets. That’s Domaine de la Chaise Touraine Sauvignon 2016 from France. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS. ($16.95, Vintages #452540)