9 wines to buy, including 2 new and available South African selections.

The greatest Halloween trick used to be transforming decorations overnight: from pumpkins and ghosts to Christmas trees and Santas. Now, stores are adorned with items typical of the North Pole long before the school year begins. This premature transformation may indicate the existence of a concept like "first-minute" shoppers, which seems foreign to me, an unrepentant procrastinator.

If you’re looking ahead, this article will provide recommendations for choosing bottles that can make great gifts and are also suitable for entertaining. If your perspective differs, and like me, you believe that nothing motivates quite like the last minute, then consider this a selection of wines to enjoy without any special occasion.

Arniston Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (South Africa), $14.95

Made from vineyards on the coast of South Africa, this fruity and pleasant Sauvignon Blanc showcases how well this grape variety performs in the Cape. Produced according to fair trade standards that regulate practices and working conditions at the vineyard and winery, this style is easy to appreciate thanks to its juicy acidity and lingering finish, making it enjoyable both as an aperitif and with food. A new offering in Ontario, this dynamic white wine serves as a timely reminder of the price and quality prospects offered by South African wineries. Drink now through 2025. Available in Ontario.

Arniston Bay Shiraz 2022 (South Africa), $14.95

Calling it Shiraz suggests that the audience happily embraces ripe and fruity red wines, but risks resurrecting memories of wine styles overloaded with jam and oak. Quality Syrah lovers will surely appreciate this accessible red wine, which features appealing fruity notes of dark wine with aromatic spices and herbal hints that add interest to the glass. This medium-bodied wine with a smooth texture is well-positioned in terms of price and quality. Fair trade. Drink now until 2025. Available in Ontario.

Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2021 (USA), $39.95

This wine is made from grapes grown on the estate in Santa Barbara County, California, and has a rich and refreshing style. Citrus and apple fruits, along with hints of honey, floral, and mineral notes, contribute to the complexity of the flavor. The full-bodied style is balanced and satisfying due to its prominent lemon character. Drink now until 2029. Available at the listed price in Ontario, $37.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, and $42.99 in Manitoba.

Cavaliere D’Oro Riserva Chianti Classico 2018 (Italy), $24.95

Made in a concentrated and refreshing style, this impressive red wine comes from the Castello di Gabbiano estate in Chianti Classico. It offers ripe cherry and berry fruit flavors with spicy and earthy notes. A blend of Sangiovese with Merlot grown on the estate, the style is well-balanced, with serious structure and intensity, indicating that it will age well in the bottle. Drink now through 2030. Available at the listed price in Ontario, $29.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, and $23.99 in Manitoba.

Closson Chase Vineyards Churchside Pinot Noir 2021 (Canada), $45

Closson Chase helped draw early attention to the quality wines from Prince Edward County. This attractive and complex Pinot Noir blends floral, spicy, and berry notes, showcasing how well these vineyards perform after twenty years. It is an extremely aromatic example of Pinot Noir with good intensity, a silky texture, and a long finish.

Domaine Les Salices Viognier 2021 (France), $17.95

From François Lurton's operation in Minervois, in the south of France, this wonderful wine made from Viognier grapes offers a full-bodied profile similar to Chardonnay, but with more character. The taste features classic notes of apricot and flowers, with hints of yellow apple and nuts coming from part of the blend aged in oak. Aromatic grapes like Viognier can sometimes be overly ripe, with high alcohol content and lacking refreshing qualities, but this wine strikes a good balance between alcohol and acidity, body and aroma. Drink now. Available at the stated price in Ontario, $15.90 in Quebec.

Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (USA), $39.95

The Sauvignon Blanc grape variety is gaining popularity in California as consumers appreciate its aromatic and flavor characteristics. Duckhorn, which has been supporting this variety since 1982, remains one of the key styles of the Golden State. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, aged in stainless steel and French oak, offers fresh fruit flavors ranging from grapefruit and lime to melon and pineapple. Drink now. Available at the listed price in Ontario, $38.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, and $32.50 in Quebec.

Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2021 (USA), $98.95

Red Shoulder Ranch is a vineyard owned by a property in Napa Valley, in the Carneros region, near the San Francisco Bay. The Chardonnay produced here is known for its complexity, but now also offers an appealing freshness. This showcases a new style from Napa that is sure to impress collectors and connoisseurs. The full-bodied style presents notes of melon, pineapple, and honey, balanced by citrus acidity. The finish is long and appetizing. Drink now through 2028. Available at the listed price in Ontario, with varying prices in Alberta.

Tesselaarsdal Chardonnay 2022 (South Africa), $48.95

Tesselaarsdal was founded in 2015 by Berenice Sols, an employee of Hamilton Russell Vineyards. This single-varietal wine is made from grapes grown in clay amphorae and old oak barrels, giving it a refreshing and elegant style. The taste is concentrated and vibrant, with an appealing combination of grapefruit and mineral notes. This wonderful white wine can be enjoyed now, but it promises to age well. Drink now until 2030. Available in Ontario.