Château des Charmes Aligoté 2017
Aligoté is a grape grown in Burgundy but it’s overshadowed by its more glamourous sister – the ubiquitous Chardonnay. To my knowledge the only winery in Canada that grows Aligoté is Château des Charmes in Niagara. And what a great job they do with it year after year! Their 2017 vintage is pale straw in colour with minerally, lemon and apple flavours. Light-bodied and dry, it’s fresh and lively on the palate reminiscent of a Chablis with a green pear finish. It costs $15.95 at the LCBO and is perfect for seafood or smoked fish. That’s Château des Charmes Aligoté 2017 from Ontario. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS. ($15.95, LCBO #296848) (89)

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 from Chile is one of those wines that surprises you. You don’t expect the concentration of flavour and elegance of structure in a wine that costs $19.95. Dense purple in colour, this Cabernet from the Colchagua Valley, has an intense nose of cedar, cigar box and blackcurrant topped with a floral grace note. Medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted, ripe blackberry and blackcurrant flavours fill the palate ending on ripe, mellow tannins. You’ll find it at Vintages outlets. Match it with grilled meats. That’s Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 from Chile. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS ($19.95, Vintages #322586)