A new year dawns, and with it, renewed appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. The season’s indulgences might have loosened our belts a little (in more ways than one!), so a gentle tightening is in order. The time is ripe to showcase some great-value wines from the IFW imported portfolio—quality wines of character to share freely, geared towards immediate pleasure. Our selection traverses Europe, calling on classics while wandering off the beaten track. Unsurprisingly, the Loire Valley has an outsize representation (being our go-to region for frequent sipping); we’ve selected favourites from Jo Landron and François Chidaine. Rounding out the Gallic grouping is a charming, superb-value right-bank Bordeaux that is required drinking for your next barbecue. Another prerequisite for anything from the grill is Di Majo Norante’s Molí Rosso, a central Italian Montepulciano blend that’s as good a bang for buck as we tasted last year. Then there’s von Buhl’s juicy, mineral-charged Riesling and a zesty, textural, delightfully saline dry Furmint from Hungary. Both will shine with seafood and spicy things. A mixed six-pack of these wines will neatly plug the drink-me-now gap in the fridge/rack/cellar, offering something for all tastes. Santé!