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Purchase any (or all) of the wines below and follow as many guidelines as possible outlined in my recent Toronto Standard piece entitled “The Lazy Man’s Guide To Enjoying Wine More: Ten Tips to make your drinking days happier,” and I guarantee you’ll be smiling.

2010 MALIVOIRE PINOT GRIS VQA Niagara Peninsula, $19.95 #591305

Here’s a clean, fresh, quite substantial and ripe example of Niagara pinot gris, with lovely fleshy orchard fruit and voluptuous silky texture. Long finish. A fine wine overall, edging towards the richer Alsatian style.

Best: 2012 – 2014

Serving Temp.: 8ºC

Pairing: Oaxacan style stewed lentils with garlic, onion, pineapple, tomato and allspice

2010 UMANI RONCHI MONTIPAGANO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO DOC, Abruzzo, Italy, $13.95 #134585

Organically grown montepulciano from a reliable producer (who also makes cracking Verdicchio in Le Marche). It’s clean, pure, though with an authentically earthy and dark fruit expression, and just enough black pepper and dried herbal spice to match plummy fruit. Balanced, savory finish; a superbly crafted wine and exceptional value.

Best: 2012 – 2016

Serving Temp.: 16ºC

Pairing: Mexican-style albóndigas (veal and lamb meatballs with vegetables in tomato broth)

2009 LES HAUTS DE MONTFORT LES MÉGALITHES AP Minervois Unfiltered, Languedoc, France, $13.95 #279554

Super ripe, earthy, forest floor, crushed black berries with a handful of leaves and grilled vegetables – wow, quite a lot of character here for $14. Fine structure, density and length. A great BBQ wine at a great price.

Best: 2012-2015

Serving Temp.: 16ºC

Pairing: Gourmet burgers on the ‘Q

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John Szabo is a master sommelier and wine writer for Toronto Standard. Follow his tweets here: @johnszabo.

More recommendations by John Szabo at www.johnswines.com

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