Top Twenty Wines of 2023

What were some of my favorite wines of the past year?

As 2024 approaches, it's time once again to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor pleasant memories. Previously, I posted three of my food-related Favorites lists and it's now time to cover my Top Twenty Wines of 2023. 

This list includes wines that not only I enjoyed, but which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out, for some particular reason, above the other wines that I've tasted this past year. This list also includes only wines I reviewed on my blog, although I tasted some excellent wines that I didn't write about. Those wines might be mentioned elsewhere in my Favorites lists. 

Please note that this list doesn't include any of the Portuguese wines I tasted during my October vacation. First, I haven't completed all of the food & wine articles about this trip. Second, those wines deserve their own list. So, you can look forward in the future to a list of my favorite Portuguese wines from my trip. 

This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I strongly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers would also enjoy.

The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these value wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local region, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws.

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1) 2020 Caminhos Cruzados Titular Reserva Branco ($23-$25)

A wine I tasted at the Boston Wine Expo from Brands of Portugal.  With a 13.5% ABV, it's a blend of Encruzado, Malvasia Fina and Bical. At under $25, I found this to be an exceptional wine, one of my personal favorites of the tasting. Complex and compelling, the wine well delivered from an appealing nose to its lengthy, satisfying finish. On the palate, there was a complex melange of fruit (citrus, pear, and a hint of tropical fruits) and savory herbs, with great acidity, brightness, and structure. Everything was very well balanced, and I'd drink this both with or without food. 

2) 2016 Quinta de Alorna Abafado Vinho Licoroso ($15-$20)

Another wine I tasted at the Boston Wine Expo from Brands of Portugal.  A fortified wine, with a 17.5% ABV, made from the Fernão Pires grape. With a fascinating, alluring aroma, with notes of caramel and toasted nuts, the palate was complex, compelling and elegant. Each sip brought something new, including touches of honey, roasted nuts, figs, caramel and citrus. With excellent acidity, the sweetness was well balanced and the finish was lengthy and pleasing. This is a wine to slowly sip, tasting how it evolves over time. 

3) 2020 Defio Baga Clarete (4-pack, $40-$50)

Another wine I tasted at the Boston Wine Expo from Brands of Portugal.  A Canned wine! With an 11% ABV,  produced from 100% Baga, this wine was produced by two woman winemakers. Its was also produced from organic grapes and made with minimal intervention. The wine is light and fruity, with a bit of a funky aroma and the flavors intrigue and delight the palate. This isn't the simple wine you find in many cans, but a wine of quality and depth, but still easy drinking.

4) 2020 Quinta de Santiago Alvarinho ($20-$25)

Another wine I tasted at the Boston Wine Expo from Brands of Portugal.  With a 13.5% ABV, this wine is made from 100% Alvarinho from the renowned Monção and Melgaço sub-regions. For three generations, the winery has been woman owned, with women winemakers, although it wasn't until 2009 that they decided to form this small winery. This is a low intervention wine, priced under $25, and is intriguing and complex. With an alluring aroma, the wine is dry and crisp with a rich mouthfeel, and a melange of flavors, including citrus and passionfruit, with earthy undertones and a strong minerality. A lengthy, pleasing finish.

5) Caves Messias 1963 Colheita Port (Average price of $392) 

A 60 year old Port! I bought this wine a number of years ago, when the price was much lower, and opened it for a special occasion. With a 20% ABV, the wine was made from a field blend of Portuguese grapes, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, and Tinta Barroca. It was aged for 50 years in the barrel, having been bottled only in 2013. With a light, tawny color, I was first entranced with its alluring and complex nose, such a variety of intriguing aromas emanating from my glass. And on the palate, there was also a complex melange of flavors, enticing and tantalizing my palate. As I first tasted this Port, I was surprised by its fresh, bright flavors, youthful signs in such an old wine. As I sipped more, I was impressed by its depth of flavor and concentration, with touches of caramel, almonds, spice, dried fruit, and much more. Each sip brought something new, even if subtle, to my mouth. It was a delight to slowly sip this Port, savoring the evolving flavors. It also possessed a fine acidity, balancing its soft sweetness, and a silky smooth mouthfeel, ending with a long, lingering and satisfying finish. Just an exquisite Port, and words cannot do it justice. 

6) Kopke 2002 Colheita White Port ($65-$75)

This wine is made from a blend of white grapes from the 2002 harvest, and it remained in oak for about 20 years, being bottled in 2022. I was thoroughly enamored with this aged White Port. With a rich amber/golden color, its aroma was more subdued, but still complex and appealing. On the palate, it was elegant and compelling, reminiscent in some ways to a fine aged Sherry. It possessed an intriguing melange of flavors, including dried fruit, honey, subtle spices, salted almonds, a light sweetness, and much more. Each silky sip brought something new to my palate. Its finish was extremely lengthy and satisfying, and overall, the wine was impressive. Everything was in perfect balance, and there seemed to be so much life remaining in the wine. This is a wine to slowly sip over the course of an evening, observing it develop over the course of the night. It's also a wine meant to be shared, to experience with good friends.

7) 2020 Apostolos Thymiopoulos Rosé de Xynomavro ($24)

The winery's vineyards are organic and Biodynamic, and they also believe in minimal intervention in the cellar. This Rosé, made from 100% Xynomavro (from young vines), has a 13.5% ABV and was fermented with wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks for 5-6 months. It's then aged in second-use oak barrels for about four months. On the nose, you'll find bright red fruits accented with some herbal notes. On the palate, there's a complex mix of flavors, including fresh strawberry, cherry, and herbal accents, with lots of crisp acidity. Beneath those dominant flavors, there's fleeting hints of more depth, so it's something to savor over time. In addition, it's refreshing and delicious, with a lengthy, satisfying finish. It's not merely an easy-drinking Rosé. 

8) 2019 Hatzidakis Skitali (about $65)

The wine is made from certified organic Assyrtiko grapes, from Santorini, which are fermented on indigenous yeasts and then aged on the lees for about 12 months in steel tanks. It's then aged in the bottle for another year before it's released. With a golden yellow color, the nose of this wine presents an alluring blend of citrus and floral notes. On the palate, there's a complex melange of intriguing flavors, including orange, lemon, white flowers, and an underlying minerality. It's elegant and crisp, rich and bright, with a lengthy and satisfying finish. Every sip brings new flavors to your mouth and it's a marvel just to slowly sip it over time. However, it's also a great pairing for seafood and cheese. This is a "Wow" wine, sure to impress any wine lover. And it's probably one of the top Assyrtiko wines I've ever tasted. 

9) 2020 Kontozisis A-Grafo Roditis Amber Wine ($25)

The winery owns certified organic vineyards and their wine production is very low intervention, using only free run juice, natural yeasts and without any added sulfur. This wine, with a 13.5% ABV, is made from 100% Roditis, and is made in a Ramato style, an old Italian tradition. Ramato wines are made with lengthy skin contact, essentially similar to amber/orange wines. For this wine, about 70% of the wine spent 3 months with skin contact, and another 30% spent 6 months. It also spent about 7-8 months on the lees in stainless steel tanks. The wine possessed an alluring and complex nose, a blend of fruit and savory notes, and on the palate, that complexity also came through. Citrus, dried fruit and savory notes, with a hint of earthiness. Excellent acidity, smooth and clean, with a lingering and pleasing finish. Each sip brought something new to the palate. A very good value.

10) 2017 Ktima Tselepos Nemea Driopi ($23)

Another wine I tasted at the Boston Wine Expo. With a 13.26% ABV, this wine was made from 100% Agiorgitiko, and was fermented in stainless steel and then matured for 8-10 months in large oak barrels, about 40% new oak. This wine tends more towards an easy drinking style, with big, bold black fruit flavors, especially ripe plum and black cherry, silky tannins, and hints of spice. You could drink this wine on its own or with everything from pizza to burgers. 

11) 2021 Chateau Julia Assyrtiko ($22) 

From Domaine Costa Lazaridi, this wine is intended to be reflective of its terroir. Assyrtiko is best known as a white grape on Santorini, and in Drama, the grape takes on a slightly different flavor profile, generally being more fruity and aromatic. About 80% of this wine was aged for six months in stainless steel while 20% was aged in barrique. On the palate, the wine had a richer mouthfeel and crisp acidity, with a pleasing blend of flavors, including citrus and lemon, a touch of minerality and a hint of smoke. A satisfying and moderately lengthy finish. This would be an excellent wine paired with seafood, although it would also be a fine summer wine on its own.

12) 2016 Marco Bonfante Albarone ($40)

This wine is made from 100% Albarossa, a cross between Chatus and Barbera, and this grape became part of the Piemonte DOC Albarossa in 2009. About 70% of the grapes in this wine are first dried, similar in some respects to Amarone (hence the name "Albarone."). The wine then ages for about 24 months in French and then for another 12 months in the bottle. With an alluring aroma of black fruit and spice, the palate presented elegance and restrained power, with a complex and delicious melange of blueberry, plum, black berry, spices and a touch of balsamic. The tannins were restrained, and it had a smooth and rich mouthfeel. The finish was long and pleasing, the acidity was excellent, and overall, it was an exceptional wine. A wine I enjoyed at A Tavola. 

13) 2022 Poggio Maestrino e Spiaggiole Maremma Toscana Vermentino Torresaline ($32)

Another wine I enjoyed at A Tavola. Made from 100% Vermentino, this wine possessed an alluring nose. It ws also crisp and dry, complex and delicious, with flavors of peach and stone fruit, savory notes, a hint of floral and a briny backbone. The finish was long and satisfying, and each sip was pure joy. This wine would be an excellent accompaniment to oysters. It might be more expensive than many other Vermentino wines, but its complexity and fine taste justifies the cost.

14) 2018 Poggio Maestrino Costa Toscano Petit Verdot ($36)

Another wine I enjoyed at A Tavola. Made from 100% Petit Verdot (19 year old vines), the wine spent about 18 months in used French oak. I've long been a fan of this grape, and this wine impressed me. This was another bold but elegant wine, yet not overly tannic, with a complex melange of flavors, including black cherry, blackberry, blueberry and hints of ripe plum. There were intriguing notes of spice, a touch of minerality, and even a hint of cocoa on the lengthy finish. Intense and compelling, this is a wine you can slowly savor, revealing in the varied flavors that come to your palate with each sip.

15) 2016 Fratelli Lunelli Ferrari Perlé Trentadoc ($40-$45)

With a 12.5% ABV, this wine is produced from 100% Chardonnay, the best from their vineyards, and was disgorged in 2021. It was also aged for about 54 months on the lees. The wine has a light golden color and you can see many tiny bubbles in your glass. On the nose, it's alluring, with fruity notes accompanied by hints of toast and floral elements. As you sip it, you'll be impressed with the complexity of its flavor, including notes of green apples, peach, brioche, a briny touch, and almonds. Each sip brings something new to your palate. It's dry, crisp and elegant, with a mild creaminess, and a lingering, satisfying finish. An impressive sparkling wine.

16) 2019 Works & Days Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast (about $55)

Made from 100%, and produced in a minimalist approach, this wine was made from native yeasts and aged in clay amphora, purchased from Italy. Only 100 cases of this wine were made. This was a delicious, well-balanced and complex Chardonnay, refreshing and crisp, with a nice blend of fruit flavors, including green apple, citrus and pear. There was an intriguing savory aspect as well to the wine, along a lengthy, pleasing finish. This is the type of Chardonnay I most enjoy and I'd highly recommend it.

17) 2020 Ireland Family Pinot Noir, Peake Ranch Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills ($65-$75)

The vineyard is located near the vineyard for Sea Smoke. This was an elegant, complex and compelling Pinot Noir. Well balanced, silky smooth, with pleasing tastes of cherry and raspberry, with mild hints of spices and a touch of minerality, and a lingering, satisfying finish. Only about 900 cases of this wine were produced. This wine also receives my hearty recommendation.

18) 2012 Westport Rivers Brut RJR ($30-$35)

Another wine I tasted at the Boston Wine Expo. This is their latest release and it's amazing they allowed this wine to age about ten years before release. I've previously enjoyed a number of other vintages of this wine, but this might have been my favorite. It possessed a compelling aroma of apples and toast, with slight spicy accents. On the palate, it was dry and crisp, with fine, tiny bubbles and a complex melange of flavors. Green apple, citrus, lemon, and toasted bread notes. Hints of savory spices and a slight briny aspect. Such an excellent depth of character, with a lengthy, pleasing finish. Perfect as an apertif or celebratory bubbly, it would also pair well with oysters and other seafood, or even fried chicken. 

19) 2018 El Capricho Aguara Tannat ($50)

From Uruguay, this wine has a 14% ABV, and is made from 100% Tannat, from a single vineyard site. It's a relatively new winery, having planted grapes in 2003-2004, and currently owning only 7 hectares.  This wine spent about 18 months in new French oak and then 15 months in the bottle. This is a complex and muscular wine, with stronger tannins, rich dark black fruits, a spicy backbone and a lengthy, appealing finish. An elegant powerhouse of a wine, perfect for steaks. It's not cheap, but it's worth a splurge.

20)  2020 Stratigraphy Unconformity ($12-$15)

From South Africa, this wine has a 13.5% ABV, and is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 10% Durif (Petite Syrah). There is almost no information about the production of this wine online, although I suspect it didn't undergo any oak aging. The wine is fruit forward, but not jammy at all, with delicious flavors of black cherry, plum, and raspberry. It also has a backbone of flinty minerality and a moderately long and pleasing finish. Smooth, easy drinking and with good acidity. This is a tasty wine on its own, although it would pair well with many dishes, from pizza to hamburgers. An excellent value wine.

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Six countries made the list this year, with Portugal in first place, occupying six spots on the list. Greece is in second place with five spots and Italy takes third place, occupying four spots on the list. In fourth place was the U.S., with 2 wines from California and 1 from Massachusetts. And with a single spot each on the list, there's Uruguay, and South Africa. Six of the wines on this list were tasted at the Boston Wine Expo and three of the wines were tasted at the A Tavola restaurant in Winchester. As for wine types, the list is also broken down into 2 Sparkling, 1 Rosé,  6 Whites, 7 Reds, 1 Amber, and 3 Fortified Wines. 

I have other wine recommendations on my blog and you just have to search for them. If you have some of your own recommendations for excellent wines you've enjoyed in 2023, please add them to the comments.

2021 Glooscap First Nation X Benjamin Bridge Rosé: A Taste of Nova Scotia

During my last visit to Nova Scotia, I visited the Benjamin Bridge winery, although I didn't do a wine tasting as the winery was too busy with a private function. However, I bought a few wines which intrigued me, as I knew the winery had a good reputation and had enjoyed one of their wines previously. 

The winery was founded in 1999 by Gerry McConnell and the late Dara Gordon, who were both lawyers, and "held similar values in their respective areas of practice, including the rights of workers, gender equality, and improving the Nova Scotia economy." Their twin daughters, Ashley & Devon McConnell-Gordon, now lead the winery. Since 2008, their head winemaker has been Jean-Benoit Deslauriers, who previously worked in wineries in California and Chile, specializing in sustainability.  The winery claims to be "Nova Scotia's Sparkling Wine House."

Their vineyards are located in the hills of the Gaspereau Valley in Nova Scotia. According to their website, "What came to be known as the vineyards of Benjamin Bridge in 1999, are in fact a part of Mi’kma’ki - the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq Nation and home to the Peace and Friendship Treaties. Consistent with the essence of these Treaties and as allies, we wish to humbly acknowledge our friendship with Glooscap First Nation, with whom we’ve begun a lifelong relationship of reconciliation, with an annual public event at the vineyard featuring food, storytelling, and learning." 

The winery became allies and friends with the Glooscap First Nation, who helped teach them about the   land called Mi’kma’ki. As their website also states, "This allyship with Glooscap First Nation embodies something many are now coming to learn: we must look at the past to not only understand present-day circumstances but also that our actions today have implications for future generations and that the solutions for balance and wellbeing must be reflective of that specific ecosystem and place." 

Out of this allyship, the winery created a special Rosé to honor that friendship. The 2021 Glooscap First Nation X Benjamin Bridge Rosé ($20.89) was produced through this collaboration, with joint decisions on everything from the choice of varietals to the label design. A portion of the profits (although the percentage is not stated) go to directly support community activities for the Glooscap First Nation.

The wine, with a low 10% ABV, is a blend of 45% Ortega, 43% Riesling, 7% Gamay, and 5% Pinot Gris. Ortega is a new white grape to me, which was cross bred, in 1948 in Germany, from the grapes Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe. It was created with cold-hardiness in mind, and was named after the Spanish philosopher Jose Ortega y Gasset. It's an early ripening grape, and can produce a variety of wines. Although it's most common in Germany, it can also be found in England, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and all across Canada. 

The wine has a light salmon color and aromas of citrus and floral notes. On the palate, there's a melange of delicious flavors, with a prominent lime taste, tropical fruit and subtle red fruit flavors. It's bright, crisp, and fresh, with a touch of effervescence and a moderately lengthy finish. It doesn't taste like a usual Rosé, but more like an intriguing white wine, which is likely due to the fact it was produced from mostly white grapes. This wine would be delicious on its own, but would pair well with seafood, light chicken dishes, and more. I'm definitely interested in checking out more wine made from the Ortega grape. 

Halifax Italian Restaurants: Ristorante a Mano & Piatto Pizzeria & Enoteca

During my recent vacation in Halifax, I dined at two Italian restaurants, one more high-end and one more casual. How would they compare to Italian spots in the Boston area? Check out my initial impressions, which were both largely positive, and I would definitely return to both restaurants on any future trips to Halifax. 

The high-end spot was Ristorante a Mano, part of the Bertossi Group, and it's located on the waterfront. It's an elegant, but not pretentious, restaurant, with an interesting menu and wine list. It has previously received numerous raves for their Italian cuisine. The Menu its broken down into Antipasti, Salads and Soups (14 options, $8-$19); from Gamberi In Padella to Minestra Della Sposa; Pizza (9 options, $19-$20), from Quattro Carni to Tartufata; Hand-Made Pasta (12 options, $23-$26), from Gnocchi Bolognese to Tortellini Al Prosciutto; and Entrees (7 options, $30-$40), from Piccata Di Vitello to Filetto di Manzo. (Note: All prices are in Canadian dollars.)

The wine list has plenty of Italian options, but also includes wines from all over the world, including Canada, California, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal. There are a good number of wines priced about $50-$60 per bottle. We opted for the 2020 Michele Chiarlo Il Principe Langhe Nebbiolo ($55), a tasty wine with flavors of bright red fruits, violet notes, restrained tannins, good acidity, and a lengthy finish. A very good food wine. 

We started our meal with an appetizer of Schiacciata ($8), warm handmade focaccia bianca with EVOO, roasted garlic, fresh herbs, and sea salt. It was average, tasty enough but nothing special. 

I opted for the Lasagna ($23), handmade lasagna layered with a beef & pork ragù, montasio (an Italian mountain cheese) & béchamel. This was an impressive dish, well balanced, and full of flavor. The pasta was cooked perfectly, with plenty of tender meat and melted cheese, and it was all spiced just right. It was a hearty dish but I was sure to finish my plate. Each forkful brought a delight to my palate and I'd highly recommend this dish. 

The Pan Seared Atlantic Halibut ($32), with wild Argentinian Shrimp, a lemon beurre blanc, charred tomatoes, herbed Orzo, and sautéed greens, was another impressive dish. The halibut was fresh, flaky and delicious, cooked just right, and well accented by the beurre blanc. Another nicely composed dish, with each element working well on its own although combining to create an even greater whole. 

I would definitely return to Ristorante a Mano, especially to try more of their pasta dishes. I would like to check out their pizza too. 

Piatto Pizzeria & Enoteca is a casual spot, with about eight locations in the Nova Scotia region, and it specializes in Neapolitan pizza. I actually knew almost nothing about this place when I decided to dine here. It caught my eye while wandering the city, and the menu looked appealing. The Menu includes Antipasti (6 options, $12-$24), from Bruschetta to Arancini, Insalate (4 options, $13-$15), House-Made Pasta (3 options, $15-$20), Handhelds (3 options, $16-$17), from La Dolce Vita Burger to Piadina Caprese; and Pizze Rosso & Bianche (16 options, $14-$21). 

We began our dinner with the Arancini ($14), deep-fried risotto balls, stuffed with Fior di Latte mozzarella and served over San Marzano tomato sauce and finished with Grana Padano. Nice crunchy exterior, with a creamy center, accompanied by a tasty red sauce. A very nice way to begin the meal.

We opted for an 11-inch Pizze Bianche, the Stephanie ($20), which is made with an EVOO base topped with soft goat cheese, prosciutto and sweet caramelized pears, all finished with a drizzle of balsamic reduction. An excellent and delicious pizza, with a nice blend of textures and flavors, both salty and sweet, with a fine crisp and chewy crust and slight char. They didn't skimp on the toppings and I was very pleased with our choice. I suspect their other pizzas would be equally as delicious. 

We also tried the Spaghetti + Polpette ($20), house-made spaghetti served with three meatballs, topped with San Marzano tomato sauce and Grana Padano. The meatballs were very good, firm without being too hard or too soft. A good meaty taste, enhanced by a nice red sauce, and the well-cooked pasta. It may be a simple dish, but it's a great way to judge an Italian restaurant. 

For a casual, inexpensive dinner, Piatto Pizzeria & Enoteca will fit your bill.

Waffle Love (With Perogies) In Halifax

On one of the days in Halifax, we spent some time walking around the city, with several planned stops for our wandering. For breakfast that morning, we decided to stop at Waffle Love. The small restaurant, which opened in 2019, is owned by a husband and wife team, Matt Webb and Ania Benko. It's a casual and unpretentious spot, dedicated to the waffle, but with nods to the perogie.

The Menu primarily consists of various Waffle dishes, nine options priced about $12-$15, most which are sweet, such as the Sweet On You Waffle, made with bananas, nutella, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce, and the Oreo Lover Waffle, made with an Oreo-ice cream sandwich, whipped cream, crushed Oreos, and chocolate drizzle. With any of the waffles dishes, you can add scrambled eggs, fruit, maple syrup or vanilla ice cream. They also serve two types of Home-Made Perogies, Potato & Cheese (3/$5, 6/$8, 8/$11) and Potato, Cheese & Bacon (3/$6, 6/$9, 8/$12). 

I opted for The Classic Waffle ($14.75), which was served with two scrambled eggs, real maple syrup fresh fruit, and 3 bacon perogies. The dish is normally served with just the potato & cheese perogies ($14) but I chose the bacon ones instead for a 75 cent upcharge. A hearty breakfast and everything was delicious. The waffle wasn't the typical Belgian waffle, and was softer rather than crisper. I enjoyed its fluffy texture and taste, especially covered with some butter. The fruit was fresh and sweet, and the eggs were cooked just right. 

The perogies were excellent, and quite large, with a creamy and flavorful filling of potatoes, cheese and bacon. The exterior was crisp, with a nice texture, contributing to the quality of these items. Some of the best perogies I've had in quite some time. You don't often see breakfast perogies offered on local menus but maybe that should change. 

While in Halifax, you definitely should seek out Waffle Love, and be sure to enjoy some of their perogies too. Delicious food, reasonable prices, and the service was very good. 

Grand Banker: The Lunenburger (Lobster-Topped Burger)

While vacationing in Nova Scotia, we took a day trip to visit Lunenburg, which in the 18th century was founded as a British port. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a fascinating town to explore, from its waterfront to its colorful historical architecture. We explored the three-story Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, visited a local distillery, and for lunch, chose to dine at the Grand Banker Bar & Grill.

The restaurant, which opened back in 1996, looks out over the water and is a casual spot, with a predominance of seafood on its menu. The menu is broken down into Appetizers (14 options, $9-$24), such as Potato Skins, Nachos, Mussels and Fried Calamari; Entrees (9 options, $13-$50), such as Acadian Cajun Seafood Stew, Fish & Chips, and Seafood Linguini (there are some non-seafood options too, such as Beef Tenderloin and Rack of Lamb); and Burgers & Sandwiches (7 options, $15-$29), such as Lobster Roll, Fish Tacos, and Gourmet Grilled Cheese.

I began with a cup of Traditional Maritime Seafood Chowder ($10.50), which is made with haddock, shrimp, scallops, and clams in a New England clam broth and accompanied by a warm biscuit. The Chowder was more thin than thick, although not overly so and still with a creamy texture. It possessed a delicious flavor, with a plentiful portion of seafood. Seafood chowder is definitely more prevalent in Nova Scotia than clam chowder, and they usually have at least 4 different seafoods in them. . 

I then opted for their famed Lunenburger ($29), which includes 6 ounces of "hand formed fresh local ground beef", smoked mozzarella, smoked bacon, baby spinach (which I had them omit for me), garlic aioli, Nova Scotia lobster (all knuckle and claw meat0, and a tarragon butter sauce. It was also topped by a toothpick holding a bacon wrapped scallop. As you can see from the second pic, there was plenty of lobster atop the burger. Yes, it all worked well together, creating a more decadent sandwich, which was only slightly messy from the butter sauce. Salty, smoky, sweet, beefy and cheesy. The burger on its own would have been excellent, but the addition of the lobster elevated it to a different level. Highly recommended.

The Blue Rocks Fish Cakes ($16.50) was another winning dish. It included two large fish cakes made from haddock, salt cod, salt pork, & potato, sand erved with rhubarb relish and a side salad. The fish cakes had a pleasant crispy exterior, and a great taste, with plenty of fish and not just filler. They were seasoned well, nicely balanced, and definitely something I'd order again. 

If you ever visit Nova Scotia, you should stop in the historic town of Lunenburg, and dine at Grand Banker Bar & Grill. There are plenty of restaurant options in this area, and I wish I could have sampled the fare at some of these other spots too, but I can recommend Grand Banker, especially for their seafood dishes. 

The Canteen: Chowder to the Crobster--Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

While in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, just across the water from Halifax, we stopped for lunch at The Canteen, a restaurant which has received many accolades. Chef, and co-owner, Renée Lavallée is very well known in Nova Scotia and even participated in the seventh season of Top Chef Canada. Located in downtown Dartmouth, it seats about sixty people and has a homey ambiance. Their website states they serve "honest, unpretentious food, made with love" and their menu is "influenced by classic French, Italian and traditional Nova Scotian cuisine - with a little bit of Renée's magic thrown in."

From their Tap selection, I opted for the Lake City Cider Neiforth Original Cider ($9). The cidery is located in Dartmouth on Portland Street. The Neiforth is made from 100% Nova Scotian apples, is semi-dry and has a 6.8% ABV. It was quite tasty, with a rich apple flavor, hints of apple pie pieces, and was mostly dry, with only hints of sweetness. 

The Lunch menu includes Sandwiches ($13-$23), such as the The Canteen Burger and The Haddock Burger; Salads & Soups ($13-$17), such as Heirloom Tomato Salad and Snow Crab Dip; and Not Sandwiches ($15-$17), such as Tuna Soba Noodle Bowl and Mussel & Frites. It's a relatively small menu but with plenty of varied options. The Menu is also subject to change, especially dependent on the availability of ingredients. 

I opted for a bowl of The Canteen Chowder ($17), which was made with haddock, smoked haddock, mussels, lobster, bacon, and fresh dill, as well as accompanied by a homemade biscuit. An excellent and complex dish, with fresh seafood flavors, a smoky element, and a delectable broth. Pure comfort food and perfect for all seafood lovers. 

The Crobster Roll ($23) is a blend of Nova Scotia snow crab and lobster, with grainy mustard, truffle aioli, and fresh dill, on a long, toasted roll. The addition of the snow crab was an intriguing extra, providing more seafood sweetness to the sandwich. The sandwich contained plenty of seafood, with only a slight addition of mustard and aioli. Another very tasty option.

My first impressions of The Canteen were very positive, and I'd recommend it to my readers, especially seafood lovers. 

Dockside Donuts in Nova Scotia: Donut Poutine!

During our recent vacation in Nova Scotia, we stayed one evening at The Inn at Fisherman's Cove, located on the waterfront in Eastern Passage. I was excited to stay here because it meant I was very close to Dockside Donuts, a mini-donut food truck which I raved about last year. 

It's a simple idea, and I continue to wonder why a similar truck doesn't exist in the Boston area. Fresh, hot mini-donuts are prepared to order, and you get your choice of toppings for your donuts. They also serve freshly squeezed lemonade, in a few different flavors. Who wouldn't enjoy such a food truck? The truck is generally open from 1pm-8pm, so these donuts aren't made for breakfast, though you could save them for the next morning. 

The Mini-donuts are available as a 10-pack, with your choice of two favors, for $6, or a 36-pack, with four flavors, for $18. Since last year, the price of the 10-pack rose $1, and the 36-pack rose $3. That is a very reasonable increase considering inflation, and the rising cost of ingredients, fuel, etc. The increased prices are still good values considering the quality and quantity you receive. You should also consider that a 10-pack is roughly equivalent to 3-4 full-sized donuts for $6 is really a bargain.  

There are about 16 flavors available to top your donut, from Bananas Foster to S'Mores, Chocolate with Toasted Coconut to Boston Cream. Above, is the Old Fashioned Plain and the Death By Chocolate. New flavors get added all the time when inspiration strikes and they decide to concoct a intriguing new flavor. The donuts are also hot when you receive them, so you'll want to start eating them as soon as you receive them. At a regular donut shop, it's usually rare to find hot donuts. 

To accompany your donuts, you can get a Freshly Squeezed Lemonade (24 oz/$3.50), in flavors including Regular, Strawberry, Blueberry and Peach. I tried the Peach Lemonade and was delighted by its bright peach flavors, some tartness, and only a mild sweetness. Very refreshing and I would definitely order it again.

While visiting Nova Scotia, I would have stopped at Dockside Donuts anyway, but this time, I had another compelling reason to check them out, to try their Donut "Poutine." There's no Fries, Gravy or Curds, so it's not an actual poutine, but instead it's a fun play on the concept. Donuts instead of fries, sauces instead of gravy, and whipped cream rather than curds. It's essentially a Donut Sundae, so who wouldn't be interested? 

They have made a few different versions of this treat, and I got the banana version. The hot donuts are topped by banana and butterscotch sauces, whipped cream, banana slices and nuts. It was as delicious as I imagined, and I was sure to finish every bite. The sauces were tasty, enhancing the donuts, and the fresh whipped cream was a welcome addition. The nuts add texture and flavor, and the fresh banana slices helped to elevate the entirety. Highly recommended!

If you visit Nova Scotia, I hope you'll stop by Dockside Donuts, And won't some eager entrepreneur in the Boston area open a similar truck? 

Rant: Give Respect To Hybrid Grapes

This week, I'm visiting Nova Scotia once again, with plans to visit some of the wineries of the Annapolis Valley. I'll definitely be returning home with wine, at least a case, and most of those wines will have been produced from hybrid grapes. As such, I wanted to bring back an applicable older post, with some revisions and updates, advocating for respect for hybrid grapes.

I feel sorry for grapes like Baco Noir, Frontenac Noir, Marechal Foch, Seyval Blanc and others. Though they are used to make wine, with a number of excellent examples, they often get very little respect because of their parentage. These grapes are known as hybrids, not pure vitis vinifera like Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay. 

Because they are not "pure," too many people look down upon them, sometimes even shunning them. They don't give those wines a chance, rejecting them without even tasting them. Shouldn't these hybrid grapes be judged by the quality of their wine rather than the identity of their parents?

Vitis vinifera is the common grape vine and the one most used for making wine. All of the major grapes of which you are familiar are likely these types of grapes, from Pinot Noir to Syrah, from Sauvignon Blanc to Pinot Blanc. Hybrids are a cross of two or more Vitis species, such as vitis vinifera and vitis labrusca. They are often created to produce a hardier grape, especially for harsher, colder northern climates. Because they are not pure vitis vinifera, some people turn up their noses at these hybrids, refusing to believe they can produce quality wine. 

Drop that pretentiousness and judge these wines by their taste. 

Many of the wines made in Nova Scotia are made from hybrid grapes, but they are still worthy of respect. I've previously enjoyed other Nova Scotian wines, made from hybrids, and they have been delicious, and definitely wines I'd recommend. I'm looking forward to tasting more new wines in Nova Scotia, seeing what the hybrid grapes bring to the bottle. 

Sure there are poor quality wines made from hybrids, but there are plenty of poor quality wines made from vitis vinifera too. Yet there are excellent wines made from these hybrids as well, and a wine lover would be hard pressed to guess they were hybrids simply from tasting the wine. You should approach a wine without prejudices or biases, willing to taste the wine and let it stand on its own. If you do so, you will probably find plenty of delicious wines that you might never have experienced otherwise.

It has gotten to the point that some fans of hybrid grapes don't even want to use the term "hybrid," to avoid the prejudices that the term can spawn. I believe we should embrace the term, and don't try to hide what is being used. Instead, we need to fight the prejudice by getting these people to taste these wines, to understand the quality that can be found within them.

So get over yourself and stop prejudging hybrids. Drink the wine before making any judgments. Judge a wine on its taste, not its parentage. 

2021: Top Ten Wines Over $20

What were some of my favorite wines of the past year?

As 2021 has arrived, it's time to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor pleasant memories. I've already posted a few of my annual Favorite Lists, including My Favorite Restaurants, My Favorite Food-Related Items, and Top Ten Wines Under $20. It's now time for my list of Top Ten Wines Over $20. 

This list includes wines that not only I enjoyed, but which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out, for some particular reason, above the other wines that I've tasted this past year. 

This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I strongly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers would also enjoy.

The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these value wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local region, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws. 

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1) 2019 Ritosa Malvazija Istarska ($22)
This Croatian white wine, from the Istrian region, thoroughly impressed me. Made from 100% Malvazija Istarska, the wine has a 13% ABV, and was very aromatic, with pleasant floral and spice notes. My first sip brought a smile to my face. It was complex and compelling, with a wonderful melange of harmonious flavors. It was fresh and crisp, refreshing and satisfying with a moderately lengthy finish. On the palate, it was fruity (especially peach and pear) and floral, spicy and with a nice minerality. There was so much going on in this wine, and all of it was delicious. I could easily sip this on its own, relaxing outside on a warm summer day, but it would also be a fine accompaniment with seafood, light chicken dishes, and cheese. 

2) 2017 Quinta da Baseira Tinto Bom ($22)
This Portuguese wine is produced from 100% Tinta Nacional, also known as Vinhão or Sousao. The grapes for this wine are trod by foot in steel vats, and aged in stainless steel for about three years. With a 13% ABV, the wine is also unfined, unfiltered, and has no added So2. It is more of a natural wine, intended to show the terroir of the vineyard. On the nose, there were interesting red fruit aromas with a hint of earthiness. It was medium-bodied, with a medium-red color, less dark than expected, and on the palate it was light, crisp and refreshing, with a mild effervescence, and flavors of red and black berries, and an earthy undertone. It possessed an intriguing taste, complex and delicious, with a lengthy and pleasing finish. Simply delicious. Serve slightly chilled, and enjoy on its own or with anything grilled.

3) 2019 Les Vins Pirouettes Eros by Vincent ($25)
An "orange" wine from Alsace! This wine is a blend, of 20 year old grapes from a Biodynamic vineyard, of 40% Pinot Gris, 40% Riesling, and 20% Sylvaner. The grapes are fermented on the skins for about 25 days, and the pink color of the wine comes from the Pinot Gris, which is a pink-colored variety. The wine is also aged on the lees in large foudre for about eight months. On the nose, there's an intriguing aroma of spice, citrus, and apples, although there are hints of even more. And on the palate, there's a compelling and complex melange of flavors, such a joy in the mouth. It is primarily savory, with baking spices, pepper, black tea, and more, combined with a variety of fruits, from citrus to pineapple. It is crisp, dry, well-balanced and with a pleasing, lengthy finish. Each sip brings something a little different to your mouth, and this is a wine you can slowly savor and enjoy. 

4) 2016 Vina Skaramuca Plavac Mali Dingac ($24)
Another Croatian wine, this red is made from 100% Plavac Mali, organically grown, and made with natural yeasts. It is aged for 12 months in large 3000L barrels, aged for another 6 months in the bottle, and has a 14% ABV. and is in a bigger, bolder style. This wine tends more to richer, black fruit flavors, like plum and black cherry, with an ample spicy element, strong tannins, and a touch of earthiness. A lengthy finish, nicely balanced, and quite tasty. This is a wine to pair with hearty dishes, from steak to stews. Or some wild boar. 

5) 2019 Lightfoot and Wolfville Rosé ($21)

I explored a number of Nova Scotian wines this year, and was pleased to find so many tasty wines. This Rosé is a blend of Pinot Meunier, L'Acadie Blanc and Frontenac Noir. The wine was fermented in stainless steel and has only an 11% ABV. The Rosé had a nice pale pink color with a delightful nose of red fruits and a touch of herbal accents. On the palate, it was crisp, dry and clean, with juicy red fruit flavors of strawberry, watermelon and peach, with subtle touches of herbs. It was refreshing and delicious, with a moderately long finish. It was tasty on its own, but would also pair well with a variety of foods. 

6) NV Blomidon Cremant ($28) 

Another Nova Scotian wine, this is from a winery from which I've enjoyed a number of their wines. This Crémant, produced in the Méthode Traditionnelle, is a blend of Seyval Blanc, L'Acadie Blanc, and Chardonnay. This sparkling wine was disgorged in the winter of 2020 and only has an 11% ABV. With such a low ABV, you can easily have a couple glasses without any worry. On the nose, the sparkling wine was aromatic with fresh apple and stone fruit notes. When I peruse the glass, it had plenty of tiny bubbles and a bright golden color. On the palate, it was delicious and delightful, being crisp, dry and creamy. It was refreshing, with flavors of apple and pear, and a touch of minerality. It has a very dry, pleasant and lengthy finish.

7) 2019 Blomidon Estate Baco Noir ($22)

This Nova Scotian red wine is made from 100% Baco Noir, but the winery's website lacks any details of its production process, although it seems like it has seen some aging in American oak and it only has a 12% ABV. The wine has a medium-red color with pleasing aromas of red and black fruit with a touch of spice. On the palate, it was smooth and juicy, with rich black and red fruits, including some cherry and blackberry, complemented by some vanilla and other spices. Mild tannins, good acidity, and a nice finish. A very tasty wine, it had nice character and complexity, and would be excellent on its own or paired with food. 

8) 2019 Bent Ridge Winery Contorto ($23)
And one more Nova Scotian wine! This red wine is produced from 100% Marquette, and unfortunately, details of the production process are not available on the winery's website. I suspect it has received some oak aging and it has a 13.5% ABV. On the nose, there are notes of black fruits and spice, and the wine has a rich, dark red color. On the palate, it has a relatively complex and tasty blend of flavors, including black cherry and black raspberry, with spice notes and a touch of vanilla. It's a bolder wine, yet the tannins are still restrained, and the wine is balanced, with good acidity and a pleasing finish. This is a wine probably best paired with food, and the back label suggests pasta as one possible pairing..

9) 2017 Sarris Vineyards "V is for Vostilidi" ($30) 

What a fascinating and unique Greek wine! I first tasted this wine at Krasi, and loved it so much I had to order a case for home. The is 100% Vostilidi (an indigenous Greek grape), spontaneously fermented and aged for about 11 months in a neutral 2-ton Austrian oak barrel. The vines are organic, although not certified, and the wine has a 13.2% ABV. The color of the wine reminded me more of an orange wine than the usual white wine. On the nose, I found an appealing blend of fruit notes, from apricot to peach, with a tinge of honey. And on my palate, it provided a complex and intriguing melange of flavors, including peach, apricot, vanilla, sweet orange and sesame! I don't recall the last wine that ever brought to mind sesame seeds but I loved that aspect of the wine. Good acidity, some minerality, firm tannins, plenty of umami, and a touch of floral notes. So much going on in each sip and the finish was lengthy and very satisfying. Highly recommended!

10) Multivintage Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee Champagne ($60)
The final wine on my list is a splurge-worthy wine, especially for the holidays. This Champagne is the flagship wine for the style of this winery. In general, this Cuvée is a blend of about 25 vintages. The wine is also a blend of about 45% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, and 22% Pinot Meunier, from a selection of 35 of the 320 crus of Champagne. The wine is aged for three years sur lie, longer than the legal requirement, and then aged for at least another five months after disgorgement. The Première Cuvée has a nice golden color and very tiny bubbles are visible in your glass. The aromas are intriguing, with a fine melange of red berries, orange and grapefruit, and a hint of almond. As I tasted this wine, its elegance, complexity and freshness stood out, pure deliciousness and each sip made me crave more. Dry and crisp, the flavors were complex and tasty, including apple, citrus, almond, a touch of brioche, a streak of minerality, and red fruits, but each sip seemed to bring forth even more flavors. It's the type of Champagne to slowly sip, to revel in the different, intriguing flavors that flit over your palate. The finish is lengthy and satisfying, clean and pure. I loved this Champagne! Its elegance, subtlety and complexity are captivating. 

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This year, 6 countries/regions made the list with Nova Scotia taking the lead with four spots, followed by Croatia in second place with two spots. The other countries/regions include Portugal, Alsace, Greece, and France, all with one spot each. As for wine types, the list is also broken down into one  Rosé, two Whites, four Reds, two Sparkling, and one skin-contact White. I have other wine recommendations on my blog and you just have to search for them. 

If you have some of your own recommendations for excellent wines you've enjoyed, please add them to the comments.

2021: Top Ten Wines Under $20

What were some of my favorite wines of the past year?

As 2021 has arrived, it's time to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor pleasant memories. I've already posted a couple of my annual Favorite Lists, My Favorite Restaurants and My Favorite Food-Related Items, and it's time now to starting covering my Favorite Wines. This first list are my Top Ten Wines Under $20. 

This list includes wines that not only I enjoyed, but which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out, for some particular reason, above the other wines that I've tasted this past year.

This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I strongly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers would also enjoy.

The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these value wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local region, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws. 

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1) 2020 Ameal Loureiro ($18)
It's no surprise that there's more Portuguese wines on this list than any other country. Portugal often offers many delicious value wines. This wine is produced from 100% Loureiro (from 20 year old vines), sits on the lees in stainless steel for about 7 months and has a 11.5% ABV. Although it's from the Vinho Verde DOC, this isn't what you may think of as such a wine. I fell in love with this wine from the first sip. It possessed an intriguing nose, stone fruits and floral elements, and on the palate, its complexity and rich flavors burst through. It was crisp, fresh and dry, with a delightful melange of citrus, peach, floral notes, minerality and subtle herbal touches. This wine was well-balanced with a lengthy and delicious finish. I'd highly recommend buying this wine by the case, to impress your guests during the year.

2) 2020 Esporao Bico Amarelo ($12)
This Portuguese wine, from one of my favorite producers, is a blend of about 40% Loureiro (from Quinta do Ameal) and 30% each of Alvarinho & Avesso (sourced from nearby growers). With an ABV of 11.5%, the wine remains on the lees for 3-4 months, and possesses no effervescence. On the palate, it's light, crisp and refreshing, with bright notes of lemon, citrus and floral elements. It's a simple wine, in a good way, something to just sip and enjoy, especially on a fine summer day. It would also pair very well with seafood or light dishes. 

3) 2019 Uivo Renegado ($15)
This Portuguese wine is rather unique, a field blend of more than 25 indigenous grapes, both red and white, in a rough 50/50 mix. The vines are 70+ years old, and grow on 2 hectares of schist and granite at an altitude of about 650 meters. The grapes are trod by foot in large granite lagares, and undergo spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts. About 5% of the wine is aged for six months in 2-3 year old chestnut barrels and the rest is aged in cement. It's also not fined or filtered, and has only an 11.5% ABV. The wine has a dark pink color, resembling a Rosé, and on the nose, there are red berries and subtle herbal notes. On the palate, it's crisp and fresh, with tasty cherry and strawberry flavors, and a savory element, a subtle melange of herbs and spice. There is also a hint of spritz, which enhances the refreshing nature of the wine. It possesses plenty of complexity, especially at this price point, and has a pleasing finish too.  

4) 2017 Chateau Vartely Individo Saperavi ($16)
From Moldova, this wine is made from 100% Saperavi, aged for about 12 months in oak and has only a 13.5% ABV. This was a pleasing, easy drinking wine, one which should appeal to many different palates. It possessed a fruity aroma, with only a hint of spice, and on the palate, the fruit was prominent, delicious notes go ripe plum, blackberries and black cherry, with subtle spice notes and a hint of herbs. It was silky and smooth, with a moderately long and enjoyable finish. Simply delicious, although it wasn't a simple wine! You could enjoy this wine on its own, although it would work well with a wide variety of foods, from pizza to burgers.

5) 2020 Tussock Jumper Chenin Blanc ($11.99)
From South Africa, this wine is made with 100% Chenin Blanc and has a 13.5% ABV. It was produced with minimal cellar intervention, and spent about four months aging on the lees. I found this vintage similar to that of 2017, possessed of crisp acidity, tropical fruit flavors, and some subtle mineralogy. There were some peach notes in this vintage, and it had a pleasing and fairly long finish. I paired the Chenin Blanc with some simple seared scallops, and it was a fine pairing. This wine is very food friendly, and perfect for the summer, sipping on its own, or paired with salads, chicken, and seafood. 

6) 2017 Vina Skaramuca Plavac Premium ($16)
This Croatian wine is made from 100% Plavac Mali from vineyards in Pelješac and the Dingač. It was fermented in stainless steel, aged for 6 months in large 3000L barrels, aged for another 6 months in the bottle, and has a 13% ABV. This is a lighter, easier drinking Plavac Mali, with plenty of tasty red and black fruit flavors, good acidity, and some subtle spice notes. This is an everyday wine, perfect on its own or with everything from pizza to burgers, tacos to salmon.

7) 2017 Fronton de Oro Tinto ($19.99)
From Spain's Canary Islands, this intriguing wine is a blend of Listán Negro and Tintilla de Rota.  The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, and then aged in mostly used American oak for about three months. With only a 13.5% ABV, only about 4,000 cases of this wine are produced. This is a medium-red colored wine, with an appealing nose of red fruits, floral notes, and hints of spice. On the palate, there's a freshness to the wine, with delicious and juicy tastes of cherry, blackberry, and plum. Good acidity, nicely balanced, a hint of earthiness, and on the finish, there's a nice peppery kick. With a nice complexity, this wine very much appealed to me. It would pair well with burgers to pizza, barbecue to salmon.

8) 2020 Bott Freres Rose d'Alsace ($19.99)
The wines of Alsace also have a special place in my heart. This tasty Rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir, from 20 year old vines in chalky soil, and was aged in stainless steel tanks for about 8-10 months. With a 14% ABV, the wine has a rich pink color and an appealing aroma of fresh red berries and floral notes. On the palate, it's fresh and crisp, with tasty red fruit flavors, especially raspberry and strawberry, with a floral accent, and a nice streak of minerality. Well balanced, complex, and with a lengthy finish, this Rosé is absolutely delicious, perfect on its own or paired with food. 

9) 2020 Sainte-Famille Lost Bell Baco Noir ($19.99)
Nova Scotia wineries are producing some interesting and delicious wnes. This Nova Scotian wine is made from 100% Baco Noir, although the winery website doesn't provide any details on this wine and its production. It has an 11% ABV, making it one of the lower alcohol red wines I've had in some time. It's a dark colored wine, with pleasant black fruit aromas and a hint of spice. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, easy drinking, with lots of juicy black fruit flavors, including blackberry and black cherry. It's an everyday wine, fine on its own, although it will pair well with everything from burgers to pizza, pasta to stews. It is a relatively simple wine, but not a one-note wine.

10) Jost Vineyards Selkie Rose Frizzante ($19.99)
Also from Nova Scotia, this sparkling wine is produced from a "proprietary blend" of grapes, which may include a couple hybrids, DeChaunac and Marquette. It's a lightly sparkling wine, produced by the Charmat method, and only has a 8.5% ABV, making it much lower alcohol than many sparkling wines. It doesn't appear this wine underwent any oak aging. The Rosé has a bright oink color and an appealing nose of bright red fruits. On the palate, it is fresh and crisp, with a light effervescence and delicious red berry flavors with hints of citrus, and a mild sweetness on the finish. It's tasty on its own, although it would pair well with a variety of dishes, including dishes with a bit of spicy heat, as the mild sweetness would work well. 

Seven countries/regions made the list this year, with Portugal in first place, occupying three spots on the list. Nova Scotia was in second place with two spots, and the other countries, Moldova, South Africa, Croatia, Spain, and Alsace, occupying one spot. As for wine types, the list is also broken down into one Rosé, three Whites, five Reds, and one Sparkling. I have other wine recommendations on my blog and you just have to search for them. 

If you have some of your own recommendations for excellent wines under $20 you've enjoyed, please add them to the comments.