At wine and cheese two weeks ago at PI, I bought a glass of the Henry of Pelham, VQA Niagara, Ontario, Cuvee Catharine Brut Rosé (non vintage).  At first, I was disappointed that it seemed a bit closed, though fruity and acidic.  Then it opened up, getting toastier (or was that just me) with scents of strawberry and other yummy stuff, but keeping that crisp acidity and clarity.  This apparently costs $30 CDN at the winery, so it's getting up into the range with Champagne, but it's made by the traditional Champenoise method, from the traditional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, and I think it competes well with French bubbles, which moreover are going to set you back at least $38 at this quality level.  Bottom line, I'd buy more even at this price; I don't give numerical ratings, but take that as a rave review.

My free glass was the Bodegas Weinert Malbec from Argentina---the most Bordeaux-like of the Argentine Malbecs I've recently tried.  Darker, more restrained and tannic than these, it was nevertheless a bit elegant, and a nice wine that I order on occasion with dinner.  At $20 or so at LCBO, I'm perhaps not as wild about it as a few other Argentine Malbecs I've found there:  the Luigi Bosca single vineyard Lujan de Cuyo 2006 Malbec Reserva is fantastic, melding silkiness and Bordeaux-like caramelly oak notes with beautiful, not-too-jammy fruit ($18CDN);  the Argento reserve Malbec 2005 ($12) similar but perhaps a bit less complex, and with definite emphasis on blueberry fruitiness slightly reminscent of some Aussie Shirazes.  Again, the relevant "rating" is that I bought more of both of these after tasting them.  Fittingly for wines from Argentina, they are both great with steak.