The 2004 vintage was ideal for creating the Burgundian-styled Chardonnays for which Ontario is developing a reputation. This unoaked style recalls Chablis; expect aromas of peach, apple and pear. Enjoy with freshwater fish, pasta with white sauces, grilled chicken or steamed oysters or clams.

686154    (XD)   750 mL    $15.95   

686188    (XD)   750 mL    $14.95   

Henry of Pelham has shown a deft hand at the production of Pinot Noir. Viticultural Manager Matthew Speck has had great success delivering the notoriously difficult grape to skilled winemaker Ron Giesbrecht. Giesbrecht then works his magic to create a style that is definitely closer to the Burgundian model than the New World style. There is an excellent balance here between fruit, tannin and acid. Enjoy with grilled tuna, pork liver pâtés or roasted duck.

268391    (XD)   750 mL    $24.95    

Malivoire pays tribute to the pickers who suffered in the freezing cold (it must have been really cold, as the grapes were picked during the daytime, something that rarely happens) by listing all their names on the back label. Nice.

Tasting Note: Deep pink, strawberry compote nose; not too sweet, medium-bodied, well balanced and fresh.  (Tony Aspler, www.tonyaspler.com, March 27, 2006)

685602    (S)   200 mL    $34.00    

Food match: steak frites.

686170    (XD)   750 mL    $15.95    

Kenwood is consistently ranked among California's top Sauvignon Blanc producers and this is their most popular wine. Always crisp and vibrant, look for intense lemon/lime, grapefruit and gooseberry characteristics. Serve as a refreshing aperitif or with grilled asparagus.

971754    (XD)   750 mL    $16.95   

This easy drinking Chardonnay is a sister wine to Ravenswood's popular 'Vintner's Blend' Zinfandel (359257, $19.95) from the VINTAGES Essentials Collection. Look for this wine to be fresh and soft, almost bursting with peach and tropical fruit flavours. Both wines are very food-friendly and offer great value, so why not serve them side by side at your next BBQ party?

683847    (D)   750 mL    $19.95   

A few years ago John Lautz and his family, who founded Ironstone Vineyards, purchased Sonoma Creek winery. With approximately 5000 acres (2025 ha) of vineyards to their name, they are amongst the largest family-owned wineries in California. They specialize in four varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot and this sunny Chardonnay. Expect a soft and smooth wine with toasty vanilla and apple flavours Enjoy with barbecued chicken or smoked turkey.

684431    (D)   750 mL    $21.95   

Winemaker Erik Olsen blends in small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon (6%) and Malbec (2%) to give this tasty Merlot some added structure and complexity. Made in a crowd-pleasing style, this wine is packed with fresh ripe cherry and plum fruit flavours. Try with marinated grilled pork tenderloin.

124883    (XD)   750 mL    $22.95   

424499    (XD)   375 mL    $12.95   

Domaine Alfred is a relatively young winery located in the cool Edna Valley of San Luis Obsido County. They specialize in producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. 'DA' red is an unique 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Syrah. Think of it as Burgundy meets Rhône. Look for soft cherry and blackberry fruit and floral notes in this fresh and juicy red.

686741    (XD)   750 mL    $24.95   

684514    (D)   750 mL    $19.95   

683110    (XD)   750 mL    $15.95   

Ravenswood shows it has much more going for it than its benchmark Zinfandels. As a member winery of California's 'Rhône Rangers' it's not surprising they also craft this rich and attractive blend of 81% Syrah, 13% Grenache and 6% Mourvedre. Expect a juicy, well-structured wine with blackberry and chocolate characteristics that would pair nicely with beef tenderloin or grilled steaks with a rosemary/garlic rub.

683854    (XD)   750 mL    $25.95   

684456    (XD)   750 mL    $21.95   

685669    (XD)   750 mL    $29.95   

The previous vintage of this refreshing Savvy was a big hit with Vintages customers. The 2005 is an equally well-made, crisp, fruit-packed wine that delivers tremendous value. Lately, Chile's Casablanca Valley has been doing wonders with Sauvignon Blanc at a fraction of the cost of other regions. Look for passion fruit, grass, lemon and a hint of spice.

991299    (XD)   750 mL    $11.95   

744771    (XD)   750 mL    $12.95   

Another fantastic value from William Cole, this is the ideal wine to serve up at your next barbecue. It's medium- to full-bodied and made in a very fruit forward style, but don't be surprised to find some hints of toasty oak. Serve it with juicy steaks, spicy grilled chicken, or shish kebabs.

928309    (XD)   750 mL    $14.95   

961516    (D)   750 mL    $15.95   

971705    (XD)   750 mL    $39.95   

Arrive in Style

PENFOLDS BIN 2 SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE  2004
South Australia  

Every year, this multi-region blend is a big hit with VINTAGES customers as well as the wine press. This full-bodied, complex wine is consistently one of the best values around. Look for mouthfilling blackberry fruit flavour with hints of chocolate, spice and cedar notes and a very lengthy finish.

468629    (XD)   750 mL    $20.95   

What are you waiting for? This Shiraz/Cab is a terrific value and would be ideal with a juicy steak, bison burgers or Texas chili.

Tasting Note: While not as complex as the Cabernet Franc, the 2004 The Procrastinator Shiraz (85% Shiraz and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in tank) is a pure, chunky, fleshy offering with attractive fruit, medium to full body, and no hard edges. Drink it over the next several years.  Score - 88.  (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2005)

684100    (XD)   750 mL    $14.95   

554881    (XD)   750 mL    $19.95   

694869    (D)   750 mL    $14.95   

694851    (XD)   750 mL    $17.95   

597278    (D)   750 mL    $17.95   

651497    (D)   750 mL    $15.95   

710962    (XD)   750 mL    $12.95   

694224    (XD)   750 mL    $18.95   

525402    (D)   750 mL    $18.95   

525345    (XD)   750 mL    $22.95   

Aging solely in stainless steel and carbonic maceration, an unusual fermentation technique using whole berry bunches, creates brightly fruity wines. Expect aromas of flowers and peaches, plus more traditional Sauvignon scents of grass and gooseberry. Enjoy with roast chicken or goat cheese dishes.

525089    (XD)   750 mL    $13.95   

If this is July, this must be Cassagnole time. This extremely popular wine is the European version of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, made with the lesser known Colombard. Enjoy this fresh and affordable wine at your next backyard get-together or put a few away to serve with a freshwater fish feast.

931212    (XD)   750 mL    $9.95   

This right bank Bordeaux from the hot 2003 vintage is an exceptional value. Expect ripe black raspberry fruit, gripping tannins and an earthiness in this powerful cuvée. Enjoy now with rare roast beef or cellar for 2-4 more years.

592725    (XD)   750 mL    $24.95   

The wine's full complement of grapes is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot. Château Meyre is one of only a few wineries that still uses Petit Verdot in their blend. This terrific grape is disappearing from the vineyards of Bordeaux because it is a very late ripener (even later than Cab Sauv), a serious disadvantage in the finicky climate of the region. When it successfully ripens, as it did beautifully in 2000, it can add spicy, aromatic blackcurrant and a depth of flavour, colour and tannin to the Bordeaux blend.

955146    (D)   750 mL    $21.95   

687228    (D)   750 mL    $21.95   

This very popular, top-drawer wine from the large Val d'Orbieu co-op is a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and old vine Carignan. The grapes are sourced from 42 of their best growers. Youthful, fresh and attractive, this wine would complement fillet of beef with fresh thyme, grilled duck breast, roast chicken, lamb chops or even chili con carne.

655019    (D)   375 mL    $9.95   

352468    (D)   750 mL    $17.95   

This blend of Syrah and Grenache with Carignan in a support roll is given extended barrel maturation prior to bottling. This richly flavoured, balanced wine is an excellent companion with grilled steak or lamb chops.

531830    (XD)   750 mL    $16.95   

993964    (D)   750 mL    $29.95   

653006    (D)   750 mL    $21.95   

This fruit-forward Syrah is matured for 10 months only in vats. It does not receive any wood contact in order to retain as much fresh fruit aromas and flavours as possible. Enjoy this wine with roast beef, grilled pork chops or even barbecued backribs.

684746    (XD)   750 mL    $22.95   

685206    (XD)   750 mL    $36.95   

A blend of Duras, Syrah and Braucol.

682740    (D)   750 mL    $13.95   

A ripe, round and fruity Merlot from the incredibly hot 2003 vintage. Fire up the barbecue, roll out the portobello mushrooms, steaks or chicken. Yes, it's that versatile.

684886    (D)   750 mL    $15.45   

Remember that hot July afternoon spent sitting on the terrace sipping a dry, thirst-quenching rosé? 'Carte Noire' is back and it's time to recapture that feeling. Sip, relax and enjoy.

319384    (XD)   750 mL    $13.95   

Mas des Bressades uses the superior saignée method here. Partway through the process of making a fully red wine, a portion of the juice is 'bled off' for this rosé. What we get is a wine with more impactful flavours than conventional versions. Enjoy with grilled prawns or steamed mussels.

950576    (D)   750 mL    $11.95   

662189    (M)   750 mL    $15.45   

Künstler is one of the young-guard German producers who are helping to push and prod the country's wines into the 21st century. Our panel was particularly taken with this peach/apricot-rich wine. It was quite dry and elegant with a very long finish.

685313    (D)   750 mL    $15.95   

A blend of the indigenous Ansonica and Catarratto grapes, the wines are matured in stainless steel to retain the bright fruitiness and crisp acidity. 'Anthìlia' is the Roman name of the Sicilian city of Entella, near where the grapes are grown. According to the producer, this wine would match steamed mussels or shrimp in sweet pepper and Parmesan sauce.

531806    (D)   750 mL    $13.95   

Antinori's premier vineyard in Umbria, Castello della Sala, is ideally situated for growing Chardonnay. The wines are fermented and matured in French barriques, adding layers of complexity and flavour to the wine. Enjoy with rich fish and seafood dishes.

677310    (D)   750 mL    $20.95   

531673    (D)   750 mL    $15.45   

A blend off Garganega, Chardonnay and a little Trebbiano, enjoy with pasta with pesto sauce, or cannelloni stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach. This is the half bottle of a popular wine in our VINTAGES Essentials Collection (948158, $15.95).

705061    (XD)   375 mL    $8.95   

739920    (XD)   750 mL    $44.95   

As this wine demonstrates, in a hot year such as 2003 Barbera d'Alba creates a fresh and fruity wine with a lot of blackberry character. Enjoy with veal tenderloin or grilled vegetables.

938886    (XD)   750 mL    $22.95   

586875    (XD)   375 mL    $15.95   

685123    (D)   750 mL    $12.95   

688762    (D)   750 mL    $15.95   

685149    (D)   750 mL    $12.95   

687186    (XD)   750 mL    $13.95   

Zeni uses a variation on the Ripasso method for this wine but cannot call it Ripasso because the blend here (Corvina (a Valpol grape), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) is not allowed in Valpolicella. Nevertheless, this is a warm and generously scented wine that Veneto expert Nick Belfrage described as "Bordeaux meets Valpolicella Ripasso and both benefit from each's characteristics."

681767    (D)   750 mL    $15.95   

With approximately 40% of the blend derived from the legendary Port grape Touriga Nacional, Quinta dos Roques' dry red 2003 is a full-flavoured fruity blockbuster with a good core of acid and tannin for balance. Enjoyable now with rare cuts of beef, lamb or venison, it should also improve with some time in bottle.

986075    (XD)   750 mL    $15.45   

This is Chardonnay plus 15% Parellada which adds a layer of crisp acidity. Expect a wine that is oaky, rich and flavourful. Enjoy it with planked or smoked salmon.

64774    (D)   750 mL    $15.45   

687236    (D)   750 mL    $15.45   

One of my favourite Rioja estates, Bodegas Muga continues to fashion traditionally made cuvées, but also has a foot in the future. (Robert Parker Jr., Wine Advocate, June 30, 2005). Made with Garnacha, Tempranillo and Viura, expect this 2005 to be dry and flavourful with bright raspberry and strawberry nose. Would complement a paella dish, or pan-fried freshwater fish.

603795    (XD)   750 mL    $13.95