Wine is one of those things my boyfriend thinks I’m a bit snooty about. I maintain that I merely have discriminating taste, about wine and coffee and, well, many other things.

I believe that most wine-drinkers would agree that all wines are not the same. Some are too sweet, others are too bitter. Some don’t have enough body or are too sharp, etcetera, etcetera.

While I know all the terms (nose, bouquet, legs), I am NOT one of those people that insists upon aerating and spitting, though if you’ve ever done a proper wine tasting, you’ll understand how that ridiculous-looking behaviour actually does help you truly taste the wine.

Frontera’s Merlot Cabernet/Sauvignon (Chile) is a red wine that pretty much anyone can enjoy. It’s always drinkable, stays fresh longer than some other reds, and is consistently smooth and flavourful.

Okay, that’s enough of the wine babble. Suffice it to say that, if you like red wine, this is one to try.

Did I mention that it’s affordable, too? A 750 mL bottle sells for about $11 at the LCBO. The 1.5 L bottle is about $15.