Take a sip of the best-value wines of the year

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By Gordon Stimmell

Get your fridge magnets ready: it's time for a list of my best-value wines of the year.

These are selected from my reviews of regular list wines on all shelves, a total in the realm of 3,000 bottles.

I focus on newly reviewed ones, as a vintage change without notice and can make a huge difference in the flavours.

My best buy of the year is featured with other outstanding-value stars and full reviews with this article.

It is Farnese 2011Sangiovese (#31971, $7.50, 90).

Ten more value stunners are below, five whites and five reds.

These are all fun to try, pleasing and make great house wines that get you through the drudgery of your work week.

Best buy whites
>Citra 2012 Pinot Grigio (Italy #17483, $8.25, 88+)
>Fuzion 2012 Chenin Chardonnay (Argentina #119800, $7.95, 88+)
>Farnese 2012 Chardonnay (Italy #569087, $7.50, 88+)
>Concilio 2011 Pinot Grigio (Italy #637595, $12.45, 89+)
>Wyndham Estate Bin 222 Chardonnay (Australia, #93401, $12.95, 89+)

Best buy reds
>Cesari 2012 Merlot (Italy #572453, $7.95, 88+)
>Farnese Casale Vecchio 2011 Montepulciano D'Abruzzo (Italy #612788, $9.95, 89)
>Casal Thaulero 2012 Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon (Italy #621193, $7.95, 89)
>JP Azieto 2012 Tintoretto Red (Portugal #286195, $8.95, 89)
>Bersano 2011 Costalunga Barbera D'Asti (Italy #348680, $11.60, 89+)

And for those weekend dinners with friends, when you want to step up the quality and price point, here are five to enjoy, including three Niagara whites, that are quite stellar.

$15 stunners
>Hardys 2011 Bankside Shiraz (Australia #333948, $14.95, 90)
>14 Hands Hot to Trot 2010 Red Blend (Washington state #226522, $15.45, 90)
>Megalomaniac Local Squeeze White (Niagara #357418, $13.95, 89+)
>Union Gold 2011 Pinot Gris/Chardonnay (Niagara #351049, $14.95, 89+)
>Inniskillin 2012 Pinot Grigio (Niagara at Wine Racks $14.95, 90)

Beyond these widely available wines, are Vintages releases, which amount to 2,500 additional new wines a year that are sold in special sections of regular stores.

Outstanding at Vintages all the time are:
>Cloudy Bay 2012 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand, #304469, $29.95, 92)
>J. Lohr Seven Oaks 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (California, #656561, $21.95, 92)
>Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile, #337238, $19.95, 91+)
>Esporao Reserva 2010 Red (Portugal, #605590, $25.95, 92)
If Cloudy Bay is too pricey for you, shift to Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc - the latest vintage is stunning for $18.95.

Author's best buy
>Cono Sur Bicicleta 2011 Viognier $9.95 (Chile)
- A very Clean and crisp white, with florals, spice and a slightly nutty note in the aromas. The flavours unveil mellow pineapple, apple and pear.
- Food suggestion: Shrimp.
- Rating: 89+
>Deakin Estate 2012 Shiraz $9.95 (Australia)
- Best-value Aussie shairaz on the general list, tasting like $15 or more. Exotic aomas of kirsch, mulberry, sage and red plum. A mellow style overall.
- Food suggestion: Pepper steaks.
- Rating: 89+
>Farnese 2011 Sangiovese $7.5 (Italy)
- Rich aromas of black cherry, leather, plum and red bell pepper lead into melllow flavours of black cherry, vanilla extract, black olives and plums.
- Food suggestion: Pepperoni or veggie pizza.
- Rating: 90
>Cottage Block 2012 Riesling $12.95 (Niagara)
- A pretty bouquet of candied lime lollipop, ginger and peach, with alluringly sweet-tinged lime blossom and peach flavours.
- Food suggestion: Pan-seared scallops.
- Rating: 90
>Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon $12.95 (Chile)
- Lovely vanilla-laced blackberry, cedar and black cherry aromas lead to delicious velvet-textured violets and blackberry flavours.
- Food suggestion: Filets mignons.
- Rating: 90

from Toronto Star on December 26, 2013