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Despite the advent of "two-buck Chuck" and its many imitators in the U.S., quality wine that sells for less than $10 Canadian dollars is almost extinct.
In fact in the case of authentic grown in Canada wine it is nearly impossible to find anything under $10 that is worth drinking. Taxes are the number one culprit along with some less than shrewd purchasing by the monopolies. That said here are ten wines with taste that will save you money.
86/100 Caliterra Chardonnay 2002
Region del Valle Central, Chile
Bright citrus green apple skin and mineral nose with a touch of vanilla lees. Fresh mineral citrus skin flavours with a dry grapefruit aftertaste. Clean crisp easy drinking. Cool down and serve all summer with simple salads or shell fish. Consistently good value.
Tasted: 2003-12-24 by AG
Prices: AB $10.95 (750 ml); BC $9.99 (750 ml) General; NS $12.25 (750 ml); ON $9.90 (750 ml)
CSPC: 257147; UPC: 610444012035
Producer: Vina Caliterra
Distributor: Maxxium Canada (Vancouver)
86/100 Finca Los Primos Chardonnay 2002
San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina
Nectarine, mineral, green apple citrus aromas. Round, fresh, dry structure with light vanilla, citrus rind, buttery, baked apple flavours. Nice cool climate fruit with a dry finish. Will match well with lightly grilled seafood. Good value and stylish.
Tasted: 2003-12-20 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $9.95 (750 ml) Specialty
CSPC: 056382; UPC: 7790703007606
Producer: Bodegas y Vinedos ValentÃn Bianchi S.A.
Distributor: Delf Group Inc.
86/100 Rawson's Retreat Chardonnay 2002
South Australia, Australia
Buttery, pear, yeasty spicy lees nose with fruity melon notes. Round, soft, slightly sweet with crisp acidity. Candied apple, buttery, honey, melon citrus flavours. Juicy baked red apple finish. Fresh, flavourful, inexpensive chardonnay. Good value here.
Tasted: 2003-11-27 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $9.99 (750 ml) Specialty
CSPC: 611202; UPC: 012354071070
Producer: Penfolds
Distributor: Southcorp Wines Canada
86/100 La Chamiza Chardonnay 2002
Mendoza, Argentina
Mineral, pear, green apple skin with some honey lees notes. Fresh, tart, crisp structure with honey, green apple, melon and grapefruit flavours. Flavourful and crisp. An excellent little white wine value.
Tasted: 2003-09-28 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $6.95 (750 ml) General
CSPC: 055962; UPC: 7798039590281
Producer: Trivento Bodegas y Vinedos S.A.
Distributor: Select Wine Merchants
85/100 Gehringer Brothers Desert Sun 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Apple skin, wool, peach aromas with mineral and floral streaks. Big mineral, canned pink grapefruit, green apple floral flavours. Crisp acidity with light sweetness on the finish. Solid summer sipper or serve with Chinese food.
Tasted: 2003-12-16 by AG
Prices: BC $9.99 (750 ml) VQA Wine Shops
CSPC: 398107; UPC: 623871010055
Producer: Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery
Distributor: International Cellars Inc.
85/100 Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Western Cape, South Africa
Kiwi, passion fruit aromas with bell pepper and jalapeno notes. Simple, soft and round with similar flavours but light intensity. Fresh and clean with a citrus finish. Good value. Drink young with light seafood.
Tasted: 2003-10-30 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $8.50 (750 ml); BC $8.99 (750 ml) Specialty; ON $7.95 (750 ml) Spring 2004
CSPC: 064717; UPC: 6001108004031
Producer: Distell
Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
85/100 Finca Los Primos Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina
Finca Los Primos is the introductory label of Valentin Bianchi. Look for a soft red with tobacco and black fruit flavours and a moderately dry finish. Simple straight-up cabernet at an affordable price. Use liberally around the barbecue.
Tasted: 2003-12-26 by AG
Prices: BC $9.95 (750 ml) Specialty
CSPC: 074245; UPC: 7790703185779
Producer: Bodegas y Vinedos ValentÃn Bianchi S.A.
Distributor: Delf Group Inc.
85/100 La Chamiza Cabernet Merlot 2002
Mendoza, Argentina
Sappy cassis, black pepper and smoky notes mark the nose of this 50/50 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. On the palate it is dry, ripe and rich with some tannin yet to shed but we like the spicy, minty cassis fruit and plummy, peppery flavours. Good value and better than most any wine in this price range.
Tasted: 2003-09-28 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $6.95 (750 ml) General
CSPC: 052852; UPC: 7798039591141
Producer: Trivento Bodegas y Vinedos S.A.
Distributor: Select Wine Merchants
85/100 Obikwa Shiraz 2002
Western Cape, South Africa
Big smoky, saddle leather, gamey, black cherry peppery aromas mark the nose of this fun red wine. Soft, round, supple wine with smoky black cherry, spicy licorice gamey flavours. A bit sweet but very tasty and smoky and good value.
Tasted: 2003-11-24 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $9.25 (750 ml); BC $9.49 (750 ml) Specialty; ON $8.45 (750 ml) Spring 2004
CSPC: 064717; UPC: 6001108004079
Producer: Distell
Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
85/100 Terra Andina Cabernet Merlot 2002
Region del Valle Central, Chile
Peppery, earthy, chocolate, smoky jalapeno aromas. Dry, round, elegant style with smoky, spicy, cherry jam and cassis flavours with some resiny, licorice notes on the finish. Simple, sound, everyday wine, good value but more Euro-style.
Tasted: 2003-11-20 by AG
Prices: BC $9.95 (750 ml) Specialty
CSPC: 626275; UPC: 830212000075
Producer: Sur Andino S.A.
Distributor: Winspeer International Group Ltd.
