Best Light Red Wine 2016

Juicy, light reds are thirst-quenching and bright. Try with grilled chorizo or salmon burgers.

CATEGORY WINNER: Garry Oaks Estate Pinot Noir + Zweigelt 2013Canada$25.00 +109496How fitting that a wine from Salt Spring Island should trump this popular category. Wine from the fringe has never been hipper, and this frisky, gutsy wine defines marginal. From a century farm overlooking the (ironic but fitting) Burgoyne Valley on Mt. Maxwell, the vines were planted 15 years ago on slopes so steep that some are terraced. Pinot noir and zweigelt sizzle in this edgy, juicy, peppery, red-berried wine.Arrowleaf Pinot Noir 2013Canada$17.39 +844100A pure, fresh pinot that has wowed at many competitionsNiche Pinot Noir 2014Canada$24.22 +123456Red and black fruit flavours for grilled local salmonNavarro López Pergolas Old Vines Tempranillo Crianza 2012Spain$11.99 +616011Mellow tempranillo blend is a well-loved Spanish bargainSt. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Pinot Noir 2012Canada$20.00 +588954Cleansing pinot with pure fruit and vigorous acidityRed Rooster Pinot Noir 2014Canada$18.29 +533190Plums, cherries, and a kiss of Okanagan sagebrushBodegas Castaño Lujuria 2014Spain$8.99 +77149Soft and supple Spanish blend is a colossal valueMarotti Campi Orgiolo Lacrima di Morro d’Alba DOC Superiore 2013Italy$25.99 +613323Lithe and exotic red from the Marche’s rare lacrima grapeSanta Carolina Reserva Pinot Noir Leyda Valley 2014Chile $12.29 +494799Deep cherry flavours with woodsy smoke<< BACK TO CATEGORIES