Trent scored this wine: 90/100

Adamo is located in the Hockley Valley, but the fruit used here is from Niagara. Their talented winemaker, Shauna White, has guided along this excellent Ontario Gamay that showcases the spiciness of the grape. So much so, it actually resembles Pinot Noir with its medium body plus high acidity combined with ripe red cherry, raspberry, red currant, cranberry, and intense spice. Excellent with tomato based dishes and cheese plates. 4 stars

Trent scored this wine: 87/100

Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault that thrives in South Africa and is not found much outside that country. This wine is well named since it does indeed have coffee, blackberry, cocoa, vanilla, and spice with a dry, well balanced, full bodied character and the structure to work with bold, flavourful foods. Drink now until 2023. It’s unique, good value, and delicious matched with lamb, game, or mushroom risotto. 3½ stars

Trent scored this wine: 92/100

Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre (GSM) are the calling card grapes of the Southern Rhone although this wine is from Australia’s Barossa Valley. Note that the label states Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro, which are synonymous names for the aforementioned grapes. This is an excellent, full bodied take on Southern Rhone style with plenty of strawberry jam, plum, leather, raspberry, black pepper, earth, vanilla, smoke, sage, and cedar. Drinking nicely now and should hold until 2023. Great paired with steak with roasted garlic and herbs or your favourite pizza. 4+ stars

Trent scored this wine: 90/100

Ripasso is a winemaking technique that takes Valpolicella (from the Veneto region) and then introduces the lees of Amarone into the wine. There is enough residual sugar in those lees to allow a second fermentation that produces a bigger, richer wine. This one is already showing its complexity with intense notes of dried blackberry, spiced plum, raisin, red currant, red cherry, strawberry jam, tobacco, fennel, and vanilla. It will showcase its aromas better with decanting. Already showing some signs of development, it should improve until 2024. The generous body and tannic structure make it an enjoyable late winter wine to be served with lasagna or grilled meats. 4 stars

Trent scored this wine: 89/100

Any sparkling wine made outside of the Champagne region in France must be called Crémant like this one from Alsace. This is made in the Traditional Method, as is Champagne; so, it produces a sparkler with fine streams of bubbles and a rich, toasty creaminess. The grape used is Pinot Blanc, which enlivens this dry wine with notes of yellow and green apple, lemon, grapefruit peel, and florals. It would be an excellent pour before dinner by itself or with appetizers. 3½+ stars