I’m trying to stay positive during this latest Ontario COVID-19 lockdown, knowing that spring will have eventually sprung and we’ll be sharing wine with friends again soon. Maybe I’m looking through rosé-coloured glasses, but this vegan-friendly, sustainably produced Mendoza Valley bargain did brighten my spirits.

Argento 2020 Rosé — Mendoza, Argentina ($10.95)

Sometimes you pick up a bottle, pour an ounce, swirl, sip, confirm the price, sip again, confirm the price yet again, and go, “WTF?”

Often that’s because the wine appears to be 50% overpriced. But in this case, it’s the other way around, because this rosé seems much too solid to be $10.95—although the remarkably understated label (I mean, they didn’t even try) probably helps limit their costs.

I quite like the recipe, with the tartness of the dry 90% Syrah/Malbec blend balanced by a splash of Pinot Grigio, which softens the mix and adds some nice acidity. Pale pink in the glass, look for a hint of rose petals on the nose and subtle melon and strawberries in the glass. Drink it up on the deck this summer and/or pair it with a seafood salad. 87