Ilok Cellars Grasvina 2016 (Croatia)
$13.95 (Vintages #517474)
We don’t see many wines from Croatia coming through the LCBO but this one is worthy of your consideration. Grasevina is what the Croatians call Welschriesling which – just to confuse you – has nothing to do with Wales; it’s also known as Riesling Italico. Anyway, the wine is bright straw in colour with a greenish tint. It has a grassy, minerally nose of grapefruit – and comes on rather like a well-balanced, cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc. (89)
Food match: grilled fish; cold chicken

La Ferme du Mont Le Ponnant Côtes du Rhône 2015
$19.95 (Vintages #171371)
The Côtes 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. 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. (89)
Food match: beef casserole; mature cheddar

Domaine de la Chaise Touraine Sauvignon 2016 (Loire)
$16.95 (Vintages #452540)
Here’s a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire’s Touraine region that comes on like a white Bordeaux. 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. (89)
Food match: seafood; oysters