Chat-en-oeuf (Languedoc)
$12.95 (LCBO #21113)
Chat is French for cat, oeuf is French for egg and en means on. And that's what you get on the label – a line drawing of a cat sitting on an egg. I wouldn't be recommending it if this Côtes du Ventoux wine made by Paul Boutinot weren't worth drinking. It's full-bodied with a red licorice and raspberry nose, sweet fruit, easy drinking and soft tannins. ***½
Food match: hamburgers; pizza

Vineland Estate Riesling Dry 2005 (Ontario)
$12.95 (LCBO #167551)
Pale straw in colour with a minerally, grapefruit nose and evident citrus acidity, it has a fresh, lime and lemon flavour; it's medium-bodied, clean and zesty with great length. ***½
Food match: oysters; grilled prawns.

Santa Carolina Merlot Reserve 2005 (Chile)
$12.95 (LCBO #324590)
It's dense purple in colour, which shows concentration, yet it doesn't overwhelm the palate with oak or alcohol because of the richly extracted sweet currant and blueberry flavours. It's medium-bodied, well made and finishes with a firm structure of tannins – which means you can drink it now if you open it for an hour before serving or hold it in your cellar for a couple of years. ***½
Food match: spicy pork loin or grilled quail.