Martin Steimer Muscat (Alsace, France)
$14.75 (General list # 649798)
A well-priced aromatic wine from Alsace. Muscat is similar in style to Gewürztraminer. This wine is medium straw colour with a spicy, orange blossom nose; medium-bodied with an off-dry honeyed, grapey, cardamom flavour. Good value. ***½
Food match: Thai dishes, lightly curried dishes

Vereto Salice Salentino (Italy)
$10.15 (General list #471730)
A rustic, old-style Italian wine. Ruby colour with a purple rim; minerally, peppery plum nose with an oak note; medium-bodied, sweet plummy fruit with sappy acidity. Good value: ***½
Food match: tomato-based pasta dishes; Parmesan cheese

Southbrook Winery Cabernet Franc 2001 (Ontario)
$24.95 (from the winery – 905-832-2548, email office@southbrook.com)
One of the great ironies of the 2001 vintage in Ontario was that there were some terrific wines made but the vintage as a whole was compromised by the taint of the Asian lady bug in some wines. As a result, consumers avoided all 2001 wines from Niagara. Which is a pity, since this classic Ontario Cabernet Franc produced by Southbrook is a winner. Deep ruby in colour with a nose of cedar, dark chocolate and red berries, it's firmly structured with lovely redcurrant and cherry fruit with a touch of green pepper and a spicy cinnamon finish. ****½
Food match: Rock Cornish hen; veal chop