The Kirkland brand strikes again, this time with a clear winner. I’ve mentioned previously that I’ve found their Friuli Pinot Grigio to be merely acceptable, but it’s also the cheapest in the lineup and in that case, it’s about as inoffensive as you can get, making it great for large gatherings.

But with this wine, we are talking about something totally different, more apples to oranges. Or shall we say, guava to passionfruit. Yes, this little gem from New Zealand is the perfect pairing to our Mexican ceviche, or guacamole, or fish tacos, or, well… beachy weather in general. It truly overdelivers from a price/quality standpoint.

That is, if you like bright, tropical aromatics that jump out of the glass and aren’t afraid to say ‘hola’. It’s the opposite of innocuous.

I used to hate Sauvignon Blanc. I mentally filed it away with 80s neon and exaggerated shoulder pads - seriously too much to handle. Too overpowering, especially with my warming Canadian winter cuisine of soups and stews.

But now, after living in Mexico and developing a love for all things lime-y, I’ve come to really appreciate this sometimes brash grape variety.

If you are looking for a wine that won’t break the bank and will deliver fresh fruit aromas and flavours, this will certainly fit the bill!

Remember when I mentioned the backstory of Kirkland? I recently came across this video that chats about store brands in general: