2007 McWilliams Chardonnay, Australia: A voluptuously layered, full-bodied Chardonnay with delicious notes of ripe peach, butterscotch and melon. Nicely balanced. This is an incredible price for a wine of this quality. Top me up! Pair with: corn dishes, lobster in butter, pasta in cream sauce. 91744 14% D 750 mL $9.95 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Best Value White Wine. Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Prospect Winery Pinot Grigio Ogopogo's Lair, V.Q.A., Okanagan, B.C., Canada: Lovely ripe melon, peach and floral notes. Clean and refreshing, this makes a terrific aperitif or an accompaniment to a wide variety of dishes. A papaya-infused finish. Lovely! Closed with a screwcap. Pair with: pasta in cream sauce, roast chicken, baked foccacia, dishes spiced with oregano, basil and rosemary. 13% S 750 mL $29.95 Score: 89/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Strut Riesling Gewürztraminer, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: A pretty, floral wine with notes of melon and pineapple. This wine is a blend of 70% Riesling and 30% Gewurztraminer. It's a lovely apertif. Closed with a screwcap. Available at Wine Rack stores. Pair with: shellfish, mild curries. 11% MD 750 mL $11.95 Score: 86/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Wayne Gretzky Estate Chardonnay Estate Series, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: A round and balanced Chardonnay with enticing notes of green apples, pears and vanilla-spice. Very satisfying. Pair with: lobster, corn dishes, cream sauces. 129049 13% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Open Riesling Gewürztraminer, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: An exuberant, zesty wine that wakes up the tastebuds then tickles them with lovely lush pineapple, lychee and white peach notes. Light-bodied but not wimpy: packed with expressive tropical and citrus fruit. Perfect as an aperitif or the glass of wine at 5 p.m. that I call "Mommy's little helper." Pair with: salads, seafood, mild and medium curries, sweet and sour dishes, glazed ham, fruit chutney. 134965 11% MD 750 mL $11.95 Score: 89/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2006 Malivoire Wine Company Chardonnay, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: A luxurious Chardonnay with voluptuous layers of ripe peaches, pears, honeysuckle, fig and cinnamon. A long, toffee-infused finish. The Moira Vineyard on the Beamsville Bench has calciferous clay soils suited to Burgundian grapes such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. (This winery makes spectacular Pinot too.) It was certified as organic in 2004 and is lovingly tended. The wine was aged in Burgundian barrels for 8 months on the lees and underwent a full malolactic fermentation to give it that rich, creamy texture. Enjoy! Pair with: salmon in pastry, dishes with rosemary, tarragon or dill, mustard-glazed pork, oven-roasted parsnips. 573154 13% D 750 mL $37.00 Score: 92/100. July 11, 2009
Favorite White Wine. Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Peller Estates Riesling Private Reserve, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: A lovely light-bodied white sipper with generous notes of lime, lemongrass, white peach and melon. Perfect as an aperitif or with many light fare dishes. Pair with: salads, seafood. 641969 10% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Monkey Bay Pinot Grigio, New Zealand: Vibrant and refreshing with notes of white melon, grapefruit, granny smith apple and lime. Closed with a screwcap. Pair with: vegetarian dishes, quiche. 93666 13% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Masi Tupungato Malbec Corvina Passo Doble, Tupungato Valley, Argentina: Love it! Pleasantly tart cherries, blackcurrant and blackberries in this full-bodied wonder. The vineyards are at an altitude of 950-1050 meters above sea level. The wine is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% semi-dried Corvina grapes and uses a double fermentation technique for extra richness. Terrific balance and acidity. Great food companion to many robust and meaty dishes. 620880 14% 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Masi Tupungato Corvina Malbec, Tupungato Valley, Argentina: A sublime wine of incredible depth and dimension. On the nose, blackberry, cassis, black cherry and mocha. This wine is a blend of 70% Corvina and 30% Malbec grapes. It was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Lovely length. You do need to decant this wine for 1-2 hours: I left it open overnight and it was fabulous the next day. 79095 14% 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. July 11, 2009
Favorite Red Wine. Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Cookoothama Cabernet Merlot, New South Wales, Australia: Terrific balance in this full-bodied, tasty red with rich, fleshy notes of plums and black raspberries. Great mouth-watering acidity for food. Aged in French and American oak, it offers notes of dark spices, smoke and mocha. Pair with: hamburgers, roast beef, grilled chicken, pepperoni pizza. 91660 14% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Wayne Gretzky Estate Cabernet Merlot Estate Series, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: This gorgeously rich red blend comes from the clay soils of Niagara, wich give it a lovely depth and texture. A robust but supple wine, it dispays dazzling aromas of fleshy plums and blackberries on the nose with hedonistically rich dark fruit flavors on the palate. Perfect for dinner parties and gifts. The wine is a blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc. It was aged 18 months in American and French oak barrels. Lovely! 128652 13% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Wayne Gretzky Estate Pinot Noir Estate Series, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: This is my favorite style of Pinot Noir: tart cherries and a silky texture. No flabby, overly-ripe fruit here. The 2007 vintage was terrific in Niagara: warm and dry in the spring and summer. This winery does small batch fermentation to highlight the unique flavors in each part of the vineyard. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Superb effort! Pair with: salmon, roast chicken. 129056 12% D 750 mL $22.20 Score: 90/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Open Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cab2-Merlot, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: A mouth-filling red with layers of fleshy blackberries, blackcurrant and a lick of vanilla spice. This full-bodied number delivers lots of hedonistic pleasure for those who enjoy instant gratification. (Translation: You don't need to cellar this bottle!) The price is amazing for such a well-made wine. Perfect for potluck gatherings, book clubs and evenings when you want to wear your faded jeans. Pair with: pepper steak, lamb with rosemary, tacos, fajitas. 134957 12% D 750 mL $11.95 Score: 89/100. July 11, 2009
Best Value Red Wine. Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Open Merlot, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: A resolutely delicious wine that delivers a core of plushy ripe plums and berries. The texture is so supple and slippery good. This versatile, switch-hitter wine is perfect for parties when you're not sure of everyone's taste in vino. It's also excellent for movie night, except of course, if you're watching Sideways. Miles obviously didn't try this wine. Pair with: hamburgers, roast beef, grilled chicken, pepperoni pizza. 140129 12% D 750 mL $11.95 Score: 88/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Prospect Winery Pinot Noir Fats Johnson, V.Q.A, British Columbia, Canada: Floods the sense with mocha and dark cherries. Rich and supple on the palate with a spice-infused finish. Medium-bodied and silky. A superb effort! Pair with: grilled vegetables, rare tuna, herb-roasted pork loin. 92304 13% S 750 mL $29.95 Score: 89/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2006 Patriarche Pinot Noir, V.D.P., Languedoc, Roussilon, France: A fantastic value for this lovely, medium-bodied Pinot with tart cherries and some spice. Supple and mouth-watering. Pair with: poultry, cooked ham, roast beef. 522649 12% D 750 mL $9.90 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Ruffino Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon Fonte Al Sole, Tuscany, Italy: The grapes are grown in sun-drenched Tuscany. Sole means "sourced from the sun." Lovely berry ripeness with a tangy finish. A blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon to produce a medium-bodied supple wine. Terrific value for the money. Pair with: roast chicken, barbecued spare ribs, seared tuna, pasta bolognese. 18994 750 mL $12.95 Score: 86/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Canaletto Merlot Nero D'avola, I.G.T., Sicily, Italy: A gorgeously plummy-rich wine with supple layers of blackberries and dark spices. Full-bodied and balanced with a savory note on the finish. Closed with a screwcap. Pair with: steak, hamburgers, meat pizza. 29421 13% D 750 mL $11.95 Score: 89/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Canaletto Primitivo Casa Girelli, Puglia, Italy: A wonderful quaffer with black cherries and some smoky notes. Perfect for barbecues and casual potluck gatherings. Pair with: hamburgers, roast beef, grilled chicken, pepperoni pizza. 94565 14% D 750 mL $11.95 Score: 86/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2001 Gran Feudo Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Reserva, Navarra, Spain: A juicy red with enticing aromas of dark plums and vanilla-spice. Aged 18 months in French and American oak. This wine is a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Pair with: steak, hamburgers, meat pizza. 479017 13% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Tapena Tempranillo, Tierra de Castilla, Spain: Made from 100% Tempranillo grapes. The quintessential red wine grape of Spain, Tempranillo (temp-rah-NEE-yo) is a perfect blend of fruit, earth and structure, rounded out by a deliciously soft mouthfeel. Tempranillo is Pinot Noir in blue jeans. Intense ruby red color with violet-blue undertones characteristic of young red wines. A plush, luscious wine that rolls with ripe black plum flavor. Lovely notes of dark chocolate on the end. Full-bodied. Pair with: grilled fish, vegetables, pizza, pasta, grilled lamb skewers, garlic prawns, broiled salmon, paella. 72553 13% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2007 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon California Collection, United States: An incredible price for this tasty, plummy, supple red! Layers of flavor and goodness make you come back for more. A sure-fire party pleaser. Pair with: steak, hamburgers, meat pizza. 113001 12% D 750 mL $9.95 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2004 Bonny Doon Vineyard Grenache Mouvedre Le Cigare Volant, California, United States: A spectacularly rich and deep red with fragrant peppery blackberries and black raspberries. Savory, meaty notes with a lip-smacking delicious finish. This wine is a blend of 38% grenache, 35% syrah, 12% mouvedre, 8% carignane and 7% cinsault. It was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Pair with: filet mignon, brisket, grilled pork chops, lamb with rosemary. 975847 14% D 750 mL $36.95 Score: 92/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Seaview Sparkling Wine Brut Methode Champenoise, Australia: You can't beat this price! Lots of fruity, bubbly fun in a bottle. 216333 12% 750 mL $11.65 Score: 86/100. July 11, 2009
Best Value Sparkling Wine. Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Seaview Sparkling Shiraz, Australia: Wow, deep, rich flavours of dark plums and black cherries. This is perfect for those who love full-bodied red wines like Shiraz but want a fizzy version. 644054 13% 750 mL $13.65 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Chateau De Montgueret Cremant De Loire Brut, Loire Valley, France: Lovely green apples with a toasty finish. Lots to enjoy here. 621896 12% 750 mL $19.40 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Prosecco Di Valdobbiadene Prosecco, Italy: Fresh ripe pears and a touch of spice make this bubbly terrific for cocktail parties: It’ll go beautifully with all the hors d’oeuvres and nibbles on the table. 340570 11% 750 mL $16.55 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Astoria Prosecco, Italy: A simple but tasty bubbly that's easy on the budget. 593855 11% 750 mL $12.70 Score: 85/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Araldica Asti Sparkling Wine, Italy: Just a touch of sweetly ripe fruit in this sparkler makes it a wonderful accompaniment to movie classics such as It’s a Wonderful Life. Aromas of ripe green apples and grapes with some ripe apricot blended in. Light and zesty. 94573 7% 750 mL $12.75 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Segura Viudas Cava, Spain: Yum, smells like fresh baked bread just out from the oven! Wonderfully toasty, this bubbly will warm you after a day of sledding or skiing. Love the notes of hazelnuts too. 158493 12% 750 mL $14.65 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Freixenet Cava Cordon Rosado, Spain: How festive is this pink bubbly? Aromas of ripe field raspberries tickle your note. Float a raspberry on top for an extra festive touch. 352369 12% 750 mL $12.65 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Favorite Sparkling Wine. Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Codorniu Cava Clasico Brut, Spain: Lovely golden colour sparkles in the candle light as gorgeously ripe pears and toasty oak waft up from the glass. Clean, crisp and medium-bodied, this Spanish sparkler is perfect for casual get-togethers. Pair with: grilled seafood, soft cheeses, potato chips. 6262 12% 750 mL $12.40 Score: 85/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
2008 Freixenet Cava Cordon Negro Brut, Spain: Deep and toasty with delicious notes of ripe pears. Creamy layers of flavor and zippy finish make this bubbly perfect for a cocktail party. 88591 12% 750 mL $12.65 Score: 87/100. July 11, 2009
Add to Shopping List Add to Wish List Add to My Cellar See Full Review
