Here’s a tip of the hat to California’s Toasted Head Chardonnay (the odd name refers to scorching the heads of oak barrels to impart extra flavours to wine as it ages). Toasted Head is popular around our house, thanks to its beguiling fruit and butterscotch aromas as well as its notes of peach, pineapple and melon on the palate.
Round in the mouth but not as buttery as some of the more fulsome California Chardonnays, this is a good choice for everything from fish to roast chicken. It’s fairly priced at $23.
Created in honour of much-loved Argentinean winemaker Ed Edmundo, the tersely named Ed is a tasty example of Malbec, Argentina’s signature grape. Not quite dry, Ed treats the palate to gobs of sweet fruit evocative of blackberry, plum and dark berries as well as touches of chocolate, vanilla, and leather.
Not an overly complex wine, it’s easy to drink and is decent value at $23 (and it often goes on sale). This pairs nicely with spicy ribs, bold pasta dishes or a juicy steak.
Southern Italy’s Puglia region produces some delicious wines, and their Primitivo grape arguably makes the best of all. The Fantini Primitivo, attractively priced at $17.25, is rustic and earthy, round in the mouth and a bit spicy – the very definition of easy drinking.
Dry and full-bodied, it blooms on the palate with juicy, sun-ripe flavours of black cherry, blackberry, and plum. Maybe have it with thin-crust pizza or a spicy dish of linguine alla puttanesca – you’ll think you’re in an Italian trattoria.
For two decades, Clos de los Siete has been one of Argentina’s must-try wines. Created by famed international wine consultant Michel Rolland, this is an elegant, Bordeaux-style blended red that leads with 50 per cent Malbec (and includes Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot).
Silky and expressive and perfectly balanced, the 2019 los Siete blesses the palate with flavours of blackberry, blueberry, plum, vanilla and chocolate before delivering a memorable finish. If you are looking for a splurge wine, this is solid value at $34.50. (All prices include tax.)