Staff Pick: Paul Bara Champagne Brut 2005

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Awesome, full bodied, dry and powerful, it’s floral and zesty on the nose, with ripe lemon, toasty brioche and honeyed nuts on the palate. Fine, elegant mousse and great lingering finish. Beautiful now but try it again in 4 or 5 years. Pair with British-style fish & chips (seriously). -Tasted by Duncan Burnside Region: Champagne, France 750ml Price: $60.78 ($69.90 inc tax) 375ml Price: $32.96 ($37.90 inc tax, bottle pictured)

Staff Pick: 2011 Kingston Family Pinot Noir “Alazan”

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This is a very pretty wine, with a lot going on. For me, rose and orange peel are the keys to its immediate appeal on the nose. But there’s plenty of fruit too: ripe, or even preserved cherries come to mind. And, with a little air, earthy (and characteristically Pinot) notes emerge, while the orange peel evolves into a bouquet of sweet spices. Flowers, fruit and spice all carry through the palate, with smooth tannins holding it all together. Does anyone make duck a l’orange anymore? Jesse Richmond, Marquis Wine Cellars Region: Casablanca Valley, Chile Price: $43.39 ($49.90 inc tax) Buy online at Marquis Wine Cellars

MarquisTV Episode 28: Dominio Dostares Estay

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John tries out the 2011 “Estay” from Dominio Dostares.

Bursting with fresh red berry aromas accented by floral and spicy oak notes on the nose. Bright fruit flavors perfectly compliment the crisp acidity and structured tannins. Well-balanced and round, Estay is a fresh, pure expression of the region’s native varietal. Produced from 90-year-old vines cultivated at 810 meters, this wine is aged 6 months in second-use French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels. Serve within a few years of the vintage with a wide variety of simple, everyday cuisine such as tomato-based pastas, grilled white meats, and roasted vegetables.