Tony Aspler, the Wine Guy

Cantina Sociale Valpolicella Negrar Corvina 2015 (Veneto)
$9.85 (LCBO #519199)
Corvina is one of the three major grapes in Valpolicella – here produced as a single variety.  Deep ruby in colour with an earthy, cherry nose backed by light oak notes; medium-bodied, dry and fruity with raspberry and sour cherry flavours. Great value. (88.5)
Food match: pizza; pasta dishes

Domaine de la Chaise Touraine Sauvignon 2016
$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; pan-fried fish

La Ferme du Mont Le Ponnant Côtes du Rhône 2015 (Rhône)
$19.95 (Vintages #171371)
A blend of 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; pepper steak

Jean-Luc Colombo Les Collines de Laure 2015
Méditérranée is a geographical appellation covering wines made in a large area on the southeast coast of France, roughly corresponding to the Provence wine region, as well as a part of the Rhône Valley. From the Rhone end comes a delicious white wine – Jean-Luc Colombo Les Collines de Laure 2015. A blend of Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc and Rolle (aka Vermentino), it’s bright straw in color with a nose of peaches and pine needles; medium to full-bodied, its dry and richly extracted with flavours of peach and citrus fruit. It costs $19.95 at Vintages outlets. Serve it with Caesar salad or cold chicken. That’s Jean-Luc Colombo Les Collines de Laure 2015 from France at Vintages. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 News. ($19.95, Vintages #512533) (89)

Cais da Ribeira 2014
Cais da Ribeira is a table wine made from the four top port varieties in the Douro Valley: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Touriga Barroca and Tinta Roriz. Dense purple-black in colour, it shows a savoury-herbal, brambleberry nose; it’s medium-bodied, dry, with a herb-tinged, blackberry flavour carried on lively acidity. It costs a very reasonable $13.85 at Vintages outlets. Serve it with beef stew or spaghetti Bolognese. That’s Cais da Ribeira 2014 from Portugal. For Post City Magazines I’m Tony Aspler , 680 News. ($13.95, Vintages #523639) (89)