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Zesty Sip

Robert Moyes shows find the best wines without breaking the bank

New Zealand has long been a go-to country for Sauvignon Blanc, and the Two Tracks bottling from Wither Hills Winery is a fine, slightly understated version. The 2015 vintage has lots of fruity zing on the nose, and fresh flavours of lemon, lime and honeydew (but not much of the characteristic grapefruit). Boasting vibrant acidity and a long finish, this well-balanced wine pairs nicely with goat cheese, green vegetables and oysters. It’s fairly priced at $17.25. A very different but equally impressive white is the 2014 Riesling from Gray Monk, one of the Okanagan’s most venerable wineries. A classic aromatic white, it’s an off-dry charmer with a nose redolent of tropical fruits and an abundance of green apples and lime on the palate. Lively and fresh, this Riesling is a multiple-award winner that goes beautifully with everything from curries to sushi to garlic prawns. Hard to beat at $16!With autumn upon us, hearty reds have a renewed appeal. Let’s start with the 2014 Pedra Cancela from Portugal’s north-central Dao region. Blessed with concentrated flavours of cherries, dark berries, dried herbs and chocolate, this velvety and expressive wine is a sophisticated blend of classic Portuguese varietals (Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro) and Tempranillo. It would be ideal with savoury grilled meats and any barbecue. Garnering 91 points from WineScores, Pedra will easily repay your investment of $19. Coming in at a similar price point is the 2013 Montes Twins Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. It’s a younger but very impressive entry-level bottling from Chile’s prestigious Montes winery. This blend is an outstanding “double bill” that combines the plummy, palate-pleasing oomph of Malbec with the black currants and firm tannins of a classic Cabernet. Rich and structured, with a velvety mouthfeel and a pleasing lift of acidity, this is a delicious wine. (All prices include tax.)