The Cutty Sark blend is made up of around twenty renowned single whiskies [including The Glenrothes], predominantly from the Speyside region in Scotland, which are blended with high quality grain whiskies. These single malt and single grain whiskies are matured in carefully selected American oak casks. The malts are blended together, as are the grains, before the complete blend is “married” together for a further six months. (www.cutty-sark.com)

015321    700 mL    $71.95   

Distilled from the Chardonnay grape, the company does its utmost to ensure the true Chardonnay varietal character comes through in this Grappa. They succeed remarkably well due to the care they take in the distillation process. Enjoy this, chilled, with nuts, dried fruit or chocolate-covered coffee beans.

019406    700 mL    $35.95   

In 1999, legendary Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda made a film about the hero of Adam Mickiewicz's epic poem ‘Pan Tadeusz'. To celebrate the film, Zielona Gora created and released this outstanding, smooth-as-silk vodka. Perfect for late winter cocktails.

941179    750 mL    $25.95   

Unlike their Vintage Port cousins that only receive maximum three years in wood before bottling, Colheita Ports must be aged for a minimum seven years. Due to the substantial barrel time, they can be enjoyed upon purchase. This 1985 Dalva was aged for 21 years in wood. Enjoy this as you would a 20-year-old Tawny with aged or blue-veined cheese. It does not require decanting.

012054    (S)   750 mL    $42.95   

Made with the finest version of Muscat, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, this dessert wine has an exceptional, intense aroma of peach, table grape, apricot, mango and hints of lychee. It is full, velvety and quite sweet. It is, however, beautifully balanced by a stream of acidity. Enjoy with fruit-based desserts.

227124    (MS)   375 mL    $19.95   

Niagara Vintners is another exciting new project on the rise in Ontario. The winery uses the co-operative model with 19 of the region's best growers supplying prime fruit to winemaker Sue-Anne Staff. Collectively they are known as the “20 Bees”. This rich yet well-balanced Icewine is packed with peach, fig, apricot and toffee characteristics and would make a delicious finish to a fine meal.

027961    (S)   375 mL    $39.95    

Last year, wine lovers and golf fanatics alike were duly impressed with the debut wines of Canadian golf superstar Mike Weir. Now in its second vintage, this Pinot Noir from Weir and his winemaking partners at Creekside Estates is poised to build on the buzz of the first round.

000075    (XD)   750 mL    $21.95    

027417    (XD)   750 mL    $28.95   

Made with grapes sourced primarily from Cline's Sonoma County vineyards, this well-priced Syrah will have you singing its praises! Look for aromas and flavours of blackberry, plum, cracked pepper, spice, and leather, with a hint of oak and a medium long finish. A natural partner for grilled lamb or wild boar sausages.

733758    (D)   750 mL    $18.15   

Jerry Garcia not only loved to tour and make music with The Grateful Dead, he was also an avid painter and loved California wines. These wines, created by Clos du Bois, are a celebration of Garcia's creativity and his love of art and wine. Each vintage's label has a reproduction of one of Garcia's paintings. Okay Deadheads, start the slow head bob and groove to the vibe as you pull the cork on this smooth, fruity beauty.

025148    (D)   750 mL    $24.95   

Kenwood prides itself on this consistent award winning Zin which they have produced since first opening their doors in 1970. It's a straight-shooting Zinfandel that's fruity but well-balanced and would match a variety of dishes from roast of pork to pasta in a rich tomato sauce. An excellent value, it's a good place to start if you are new to Zinfandel.

983577    (XD)   750 mL    $21.95   

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot.

Tasting Note: Good medium ruby. Grapey aromas of cassis and violet. Juicy and leanish but sweet, with flavors of dark berries and bitter chocolate framed by lively acids. Finishes with broad tannins. Score - 88-89. (Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2005)

025213    (XD)   750 mL    $31.95   

After turning over the reins of the Sebastiani Vineyards to his sister, Don Sebastiani and his two sons established a maverick négociant business known for producing wines with quirky names and alternative closures. Screw Kappa Napa has had spectacular success largely because the quality of the wine in the bottle has made as much as an impression as the catchy name. This classic Cab offers aromas of raspberries, cocoa and coffee with some oak nuances. It's dry, full-bodied with round fruit flavour, creamy vanilla and oak spice, leading to a long finish. It's a terrific Value for Napa Cab!

034793    (XD)   750 mL    $17.95   

346270    (XD)   750 mL    $73.95   

The fruit for this Pinot is sourced from the family's estate vineyard in the San Pablo Bay area. Similar to the nearby Carneros region, the vineyards benefit from the cooling breezes and fog coming in off of the Pacific Ocean. The wine is matured for nine months in French oak, with only 5% new. Fresh and lively, this crisp wine is bursting with tangy cherry and berry flavours. Enjoy with salmon steaks.

025155    (D)   750 mL    $20.95   

This family run winery has a colourful history. Originally devoted to vegetables, the Phillips' farms evolved to include fruits, including several grape varietals that sold during Prohibition with instructions on “how not to have the grapes turn into wine” nudge, nudge, wink, wink. This tasty, straight-forward Cab is a good value that's perfect with smoky spareribs or gourmet pizza.

034074    (XD)   750 mL    $16.95   

467944    (XD)   750 mL    $14.95   

This seductive Malbec is consistently ranked as one of Argentina's best. The latest vintage is loaded with blackberry, blueberry, floral and coffee aromas. It's young and juicy with densely concentrated fruit flavours, muscular tannins and a long, lingering finish. Deep and satisfying, this premium Malbec unleashes Argentina's potential.

678987    (XD)   750 mL    $28.95   

The Marques de Casa Concha range is always outstanding, and while no reviews for the 2005 Chardonnay were available at press time, the last four vintages have scored 89-91 points from Wine Spectator. In the October 15, 2005 issue of this same publication, Concha y Toro was ranked among the top 20 wineries for ‘sure bet values' for being “... a wine industry anomaly – one of the rare producers that has cranked up volume without giving ground on quality”. Expect juicy tropical fruit, apple, and floral aromas and flavours with a lively seam of acid providing balance and a lengthy finish.

342857    (D)   750 mL    $19.95   

303628    (XD)   750 mL    $18.95   

This wine won a Gold Medal as well as the trophy for Best Carmenere at the 3rd Annual Wines of Chile Awards in January 2006. The nose shows aromas of smoke, spice, bell pepper and plum. It's dry and lively with a medium-full body and loads of tangy fruit flavour. Enjoy now with grilled eggplant, gourmet pizza or spareribs.

009084    (XD)   750 mL    $12.95   

709246    (D)   750 mL    $15.95   

This wine also received 90 points from Robert Parker Jr. (www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2005).

Tasting Note: Bright ruby. Smoked meat, bacon fat, mulberry, dried violet, dark cherry and roasted coffee aromas. Serious, structured wine, with juicy flavors of bitter cherry, sweet tobacco and licorice. Smoky, vibrant and intense on the finish, which displays dense, powerful, dusty tannins. Score - 90(+?). (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2005)

024646    (D)   750 mL    $27.95   

Benwarin is a relative newcomer in the Hunter Valley, but they have wasted no time in establishing themselves as a quality-driven producer.

Tasting Note: Distinctly regional earthy, leathery overtones to light- to medium-bodied red fruits; not forced to be something it isn't. Score - 89. (James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2007)

022103    (D)   750 mL    $20.95   

The Langhorne Creek region is considered a hidden gem in South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula. In its third vintage, this popular Cab shows blackcurrant, mint and pepper aromas and has soft cherry and mullberry flavours on the palate, as well as creamy vanilla oak and refined tannins.

672550    (XD)   750 mL    $23.95   

The Buller family have a long history of wine making in Victoria dating back to 1921 when Reginald Langdon Buller planted his first vineyards. Today, the company has two wineries that are run by his grandsons Rick and Andrew respectively. Rick runs the Beverford winery while Andrew is the winemaker and manager of the original Rutherglen winery. This Bordeaux-style blend is sourced from Andrew's Indigo Valley vineyard and features aromas of ripe cherry fruit and vanilla oak. It's dry, full-bodied and full of bright fruit flavours with a touch of spice.

014464    (XD)   750 mL    $27.95   

022376    (XD)   750 mL    $20.95   

015826    (XD)   750 mL    $32.95   

This finely crafted Shiraz is from Two Hands Picture Series. The gnarly dudes in question are the rather fierce and twisted looking old vines from which the wine's fruit is sourced. Winemaker Matt Wenk has a well-deserved reputation for creating a tightly focused Shiraz that emphasizes the fruit while perfectly integrating the oak and tannins. Though there were no reviews at press time, Robert Parker awarded 90 points to the previous two vintages of this wine. This dude is ready to be enjoyed anytime over the next five years.

660043    (XD)   750 mL    $24.95   

015545    (XD)   750 mL    $15.95   

The winery takes its name from what many consider to be the very first astronomical computer (its principles were first determined more than 2000 years ago). It was used to solve problems relating to time and the position of the Sun and stars in the sky. For example, in medieval times, an astrolabe could be used to determine the time of sunrise and sunset.

Tasting Note: ... flavoursome and tightly structured, in a relatively ripe style with soft mouthfeel and good length. Score - **** (out of 5). (Michael Cooper, Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines 2007)

010421    (XD)   750 mL    $20.95   

020727    (XD)   750 mL    $20.95   

020719    (D)   750 mL    $31.95   

012724    (D)   750 mL    $20.95   

This wine won Double Gold at South Africa's prestigious Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2006.

Tasting Note: Multi-faceted & alluring; cool-fruit herb garden/fennel, rhubarb nuances to wild berry personality. Tannins now melding – already add savoury, roasted spice & assist a good 5-7 yr future. Score - **** (out of 5). (Christine Rudman, John Platter South African Wines 2006)

655639    (XD)   750 mL    $19.95   

663229    (XD)   750 mL    $16.95   

A direct, pretty, fruity/minerally/crisp Chardonnay that is simply delicious. It is medium full-bodied with a long, lingering finish. Enjoy with poached salmon and fresh dill.

016816    (XD)   750 mL    $29.95   

One of Loire Valley's lesser-known Sauvignon Blanc producing ACs, Quincy is worth a visit. The wines are more reminiscent of New Zealand assertiveness, than nearby Sancerre's racy delicacy. Try it with shrimp stir-fry.

017616    (XD)   750 mL    $17.95   

016824    (XD)   750 mL    $17.95   

949222    (XD)   750 mL    $16.95   

Minervois-La Livinière is a smaller AC within the Minervois. This sub-region is developing an excellent reputation for producing wines of depth and complexity. This wine is made with an equal blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. In its aromas and flavours, it speaks of warm Mediterranean sunshine and fully-ripe fruit.

017137    (XD)   750 mL    $19.95   

A spectacular blend of Syrah and Carignan, the aromas suggest black cherry, garrigue, strawberry and new leather. The fruit is very well-supported by a seam of acid and fine-grained tannins. This medium full-bodied wine is a good match for lamb chops with rosemary and garlic.

952804    (XD)   750 mL    $15.95   

This blend of Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Syrah is aged for 12 months in oak, a small part of which is new. The resulting wine exhibits aromas of black cherry and cassis. It is a dry, full-flavoured, lush wine that will match many flavourful meat dishes.

017418    (XD)   750 mL    $21.95   

735407    (XD)   750 mL    $54.95   

989277    (XD)   750 mL    $28.95   

The village of Vinsobres takes its name from a 17th century bishop from the area who said, “sober wine or wine of sobriety, take it soberly.” The Perrins have 100 acres of vineyards here.

Tasting Note: Plump and juicy, with plum, tobacco and toast notes. Dark, but fresh, with nice purity. Drink now. Score - 88. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, June 30, 2006)

566844    (XD)   750 mL    $17.95   

The Hochbenn Vineyard stretches up the long and gently sloping valley behind the estate. Protected by the bordering hills, this prestigious vineyard is ideal for the production of perfectly ripe Rielsing grapes. This has been a spot for viticulture for centuries, as recently excavated Roman villa and gardens on the property attest. The wine displays hints of peach, citrus and other tropical fruit. It is a medium dry, balanced, easy-drinking wine that is excelent for sipping or matched to lighter fish and seafood salads.

028498    (MD)   750 mL    $15.95   

This very popular Riesling, part of Rainer Lingenfelder's ‘Vineyard Creatures' collection, is an excellent sipper. It will also complement lightly spiced Asian foods, or, as Rod Phillips of www.winecurrent.com said of the 2004 vintage “it's a perfect pick-me-up for dreary winter days, too”. (Feb. 4, 2006)

568634    (D)   750 mL    $14.95   

722413    (MD)   750 mL    $18.95   

The Xinomavro and Negoska grapes for this wine were grown on a 6.6 hectare vineyard situated in Northern Greece on the hills of Goumenissa. The wine is a 50/50 blend of the two grapes. The Xinomavro brings forward fruit and tannin, while the Negoska brings intensity and body to the final wine.

026351    (XD)   750 mL    $24.95   

From one of Alto Adige's finest producers, Tiefenbrunner, comes this crisp, fresh, appley Chardonnay. To retain their stylistic fruit and fresh acidity, they ferment and age the wines strictly in stainless steel. Try this with freshwater fish, especially rainbow trout.

746545    (D)   750 mL    $16.95   

A crisp and well balanced crowd-pleaser, La Vis Ritratti Pinot Grigio is an excellent starter wine, or serve it with herb chicken or vegetarian stir-fries. The label is a reproduction of the 1891 painting by G. Segantini called Mezzogiorno Sulle Alpi.

020958    (XD)   750 mL    $18.95   

This is a totally new winery, built just outside Trento, equipped with state of the art technology. The aim of enologist Giorgio Flessati is to express the best possible quality of Trentino. All the wines are from single vineyards and made using French oak maturation. The style is very modern and fruit-driven, yet retaining an Italian elegance and balance. (www.everywine.co.uk)

627042    (XD)   750 mL    $14.95   

Spring is right around the corner. Honest. We wouldn't lie to you. Probably the perfect wine to evoke a spring day is the newest vintage of the floral, slightly fizzy, gently sweet, low-alcohol wonder Moscato d'Asti. The 2006 from Batasiolo is the first Moscato to hit our market in the new vintage. Chill it about three hours and enjoy it with fresh fruit or lighter desserts.

028175    (MS)   750 mL    $17.95   

An intense, aromatic Montepulciano with aromas of blackberry, black cherry and a hint of spice. It is dry with a ripe fruit core and a long, balanced finish. Try it with a meat-based lasagna dish.

026179    (D)   750 mL    $16.95   

Batasiolo's Langhe Rosso is a blend of Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo. The resulting wine brings the best of all three grapes to the mix: ripe fruit from the Dolcetto, acidity from the Barbera and silky tannic structure from the Nebbiolo. Enjoy with gourmet sausages or simple pasta with meat sauce dishes.

981019    (XD)   750 mL    $15.95   

Ascheri has found a beautiful compromise between the traditional school of long ageing in mature, large vats and the more modern techniques of using new oak barrels. They age the wines in a combination of both. After spending 4 months in stainless steel, the wines are then matured for 20 months in a 50/50 combination of seasoned and new Slavonian barrels. The final blend is allowed to meld for a further 10 months in steel and then 10 months in bottle. The resulting wine shows dried cherry, leather and plum aromas. On the palate it is dry with firm tannins surrounding the fruit. Give this 5-10 years in a cellar.

739920    (XD)   750 mL    $39.95   

579227    (XD)   750 mL    $44.95   

015974    (D)   750 mL    $15.95   

Syrah has shown great success in the vineyards of Sicily over the past few years. The warm Mediterranean climate has been very favourable at ripening this very popular grape. The resulting wine has aromas of ripe blackberry, plum and a hint of pepper. Enjoy this full-bodied, long finishing wine with grilled steak with wild mushrooms.

023291    (XD)   750 mL    $14.95   

La Massa is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese and Colorino. The result is a plum-, cherry-, spice- and vanilla-scented wine with a smooth mouthfeel and very good balance on the lingering finish. Enjoy with roast beef with all the trimmings.

021402    (XD)   750 mL    $29.95   

921916    (XD)   750 mL    $72.95   

987446    (XD)   750 mL    $29.95   

022301    (XD)   750 mL    $19.95   

922161    (XD)   750 mL    $49.95   

Massaya is a French/Lebanese collaboration that began [in] 1998. On the Lebanese side is Sami Ghosn, who was the owner of the Tanaïl Estate where the vineyards hail from, which is located at an altitude of 1000 m in the Bekaa valley. The French partners are an illustrious bunch: Daniel Brunier (Vieux Télégraphe), Hubert de Boüard de Laforest (ex-Cheval Blanc) and Dominique Hebrard (Château Angélus co-proprietor). (www.wineanorak.com) Classic is a blend of 60% Cinsault, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah. Enjoy it with spicy meat-based Mediterranean dishes.

026492    (D)   750 mL    $19.95   

Since its founding in 1998, Massaya has broken into the UK and European market like gang-busters. Its combination of Lebanese and French know-how has helped this fledgling companion grow rapidly to prominence. The blend here is 40% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Mourvèdre. The wine is redolent of ripe and dried fruits on the nose, and becomes sweeter and fruitier in the mouth. Try it with braised meat or winter barbecued backribs.

026500    (D)   750 mL    $27.95   

726679    (XD)   750 mL    $27.95   

A mature, ready-to-drink cherry- and plum-scented wine with lovely hints of smoke and spice on the very long finish. An excellent match for smoked meat or turkey dishes.

021329    (XD)   750 mL    $22.95   

Made with Tinta de Toro, the regional name for Tempranillo, this wine offers aromas of blackberry, spice, vanilla and coffee beans. It is well-structured and fleshy, making it a great match for braised meat dishes.

930438    (XD)   750 mL    $15.95   

702761    (XD)   750 mL    $29.95   

The 3.9 refers to the parcels or vineyard locations of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah used for the wine. The 3 is for Cab; the 9 is for the Syrah. These are the winery's finest parcels of grapes, thus they designated the wine Reserva 3.9.

Tasting Note: A single vineyard blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah, the deep ruby/purple-colored 2000 Abadal Reserva 3.9 offers scents of camphor, spice box, cedar, herbs, black currants, and toast. With superb fruit, medium to full body, and a succulent, lush texture, it will drink well for 5-8 years. Score - 90. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, June 2005)

019448    (XD)   750 mL    $28.95