Cave Spring cellars their Icewines for a full year in bottle prior to release. The 2006 vintage shows a superb balance of fruit and acids, suggesting excellent potential for mid-term ageing (6-8 years+). It is also enjoyable now with foie gras, lemon flan or aged cheeses.

This homegrown Savvy, a new and exciting addition to Mike Weir's collection of wines, has concentrated aromas of mineral, lemon peel and gooseberry with clean grassy notes. It's crisp and refreshing with hints of tropical fruit flavours and a racy seam of zesty acidity. Enjoy as an aperitif or pair it with fresh pan-fried trout in lemon butter.

[The name] Narcissist Riesling [is] a wine-industry in-joke of sorts that alludes to the white grape's exceptional ability to reflect nuances peculiar to each soil - as though it were a mirror of the land. To help drive home the conceit, the words 'narcissist riesling' are printed backwards, inviting consumers to hold the bottle up to a mirror and, in turn, view their own reflections. (Beppi Crosariol, The Globe and Mail, July 11, 2007)

TASTING NOTE: Intense peach, citrus and floral aromas greet the nose. It's off-dry, light-bodied, delicate and smooth with ripe juicy peach and lime-fruit flavours, racy acidity and a fresh clean finish. Serve it as a refreshing aperitif or paired with freshwater fish. (VINTAGES panel, Feb. 2008) 

67587    (MD)            750 mL    $17.95     

Peninsula Ridge's winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas knows his Chardonnay, having spent 10 years crafting award-winning wines at the notable Chablis house Domaine Laroche. His unoaked, single-vineyard Chardonnay features aromas of pear, flint, mineral and spice. Stainless steel fermentation has afforded this wine the purest flavours of pear, melon and lemon rind which are beautifully balanced by good acidity and a lovely mouthfeel. Fabulous with a pasta in a cream sauce.

Carmela Estates in Wellington, Ontario, who describe themselves as 'the Pride of Prince Edward County', are one of the pioneering producers of this dynamic new region. Aged for 10 months in French oak, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc is a velvety, medium full-bodied wine featuring blackcurrant, tobacco leaf and toasty oak notes. Serve with lamb chops and fresh mint sauce.

La Crema emulates the great domaines of Burgundy by dedicating themselves solely to the production of great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay such as this one. With lovely citrus and floral aromas along with notes of butterscotch and a hint of spice, this rich Chardonnay shows deft balance and has a long, lingering finish. Try it with pasta in a cream sauce or seafood risotto.

The Correas family's history in Mendoza dates back to 1798. From the mid 1800s to 1974, they cultivated grapes for other wine producers, but all that changed in 1975 when Don Edmundo Navarro Correas established the family's own winery. Today, winemaker Juan Marco crafts premium quality wines like this intense Cabernet with its concentrated blackberry, plum, smoke and vanilla oak flavours. A solid wine to enjoy with smoky spare ribs or rack of lamb.

A superb value, this deep-purple-hued Syrah has layered raspberry, blackberry and sweet vanilla aromas and flavours along with notes of coffee, chocolate and spice. It's dry, rich and smooth and very attractive. This is one to stock up on for the summer barbecue season.

Casa Lapostolle's flagship red is comprised of 42% Carmenère, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot hand-picked from the estate's Apalta vineyard. This world-class wine is consistently ranked, year in and year out, among the top wines of Chile. While the 2005 vintage had not been reviewed at press time, three previous vintages have earned 91 points or more from Wine Spectator. Expect this wine to display exuberant and complex aromas and flavours, a well-balanced and elegant palate and a rich, lingering finish.

The legendary family behind Chateau Lafite Rothschild in Bordeaux is wine royalty. Twenty years ago, its members recognized Chile's potential for greatness and began investing in this venerable estate in the Colchagua Valley. The Grande Réserve is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the estate's finest plots. Packed with cherry, wild berry, and plum flavours with notes of mint, tobacco and spice, this intense and juicy Cab will pair well with beef or lamb kebabs hot off the grill.

A terrific cooler climate Merlot with sour cherry, cedar, vanilla and underbrush aromas and flavours. This firm, fresh and fruity wine is a good match for rare steak with mushrooms and onions.

Cockfighter's Ghost is a 'coast to coast' line of wines from Poole's Rock, meaning the grapes are sourced from the region or regions best suited for each wine. In the case of Pinot Noir, they have two wines, one sourced from Western Australia and this one from Tasmania. The concept is very sound as these two regions are generally considered the cooler zones of Australia, a climatic condition the finicky Pinot Noir prefers. This version features plum, spice and a gentle hint of oak. It is very well-balanced with bright fruit and a firm structure playing off each other perfectly. This will reward 2-4 years in a cellar, or enjoy it tonight with stuffed veal tenderloin.

60947    (XD)            750 mL    $29.95   

The name Penmara fuses two root words: pen from the Greek prefix penta for five and mara an Aboriginal word for five fingers and refers to the five family-owned vineyards that banded together to create this winery.

Using grapes sourced from two different vineyard sites in the Waipara Valley, this fruit-driven, lightly oaked Chardonnay is fresh and elegant with bright citrus and apple fruit flavours, good complexity, depth and length. It's an ideal selection for lobster drizzled in lemon juice or a chicken stir-fry.

Merlot thrives particularly well in the vineyards of Hawkes Bay on New Zealand's North Island. This dry, medium-bodied, and well-balanced rosé is fresh, smooth and bursting with delicious red-berry and spice flavours. Bring on the sunshine!

As luck would have it, VINTAGES received a mixed shipment of both the 2006 and 2007 vintage of this crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. Selection will vary from store to store, so if you are looking for the vibrant youth of the 2007 or the slightly more mature style of the 2006 you might want to contact your local establishment to see which they are carrying. One thing is for sure, they won't last long at this special one-time-only price.

The area known as the Golden Triangle is considered the jewel in Stellenbosch's formidable crown. Marked by the Stellenbosch Mountain, the Helderberg Mountain and the R44 highway, this area has a most hospitable climate and terroir for viticulture. Stellenzicht lies in the heart of this triangle with 136 hectares of prime vineyards. This barrel-aged Chardonnay is dry, full-bodied, and creamy textured with citrus and tropical fruit flavours and hints of spice. Serve with chicken in a buttery cream sauce.

This Cab represents a cross-section of some of South Africa's best wine regions as its fruit was sourced from Swartland, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Walker Bay and Wellington. Aged for 16 months in barriques, this elegant wine shows prominent berry, cassis and cedar notes, fine-grained tannins and a lengthy finish. It's a fine complement to roast beef, venison or hard cheeses.

Another bargain from Bulgaria, this impressive Cab is sourced from 20- to 25-year-old vines grown on the south-facing slopes in the foothills of the Southern Rhodope mountains. The wine is aged for one year in oak barrels (50% new) then a further six months in bottle before release. Loaded with black fruit, spice and toasty oak, it's a great example of why Bulgarian wines are on the rise.

The Saint-Véran AC offers exceptional value for Burgundy lovers. This lesser-known region, adjacent to Pouilly-Fuissé, has much in common with its famous neighbour except the hefty price tag.

TASTING NOTE: ... The 2006 Blason de Bourgogne Saint Véran [is] a honeyed, ripe, unoaked white Burgundy of considerable class. If you see that wine on promotion, storm the tills ... (Tim Atkin, The Observer, July 15, 2007) 

16725    (D)            750 mL    $18.95   

Louis Moreau's wines are known around the world for their quality. With fruit sourced from a single vineyard near the village of Bienes, this 2006 Chablis is no exception. Refreshing, unoaked, and traditionally made, this Chardonnay exhibits bright grapefruit and lemon-citrus fruit flavours balanced with crisp acidity and leading to a long minerally finish. It makes a great aperitif or serve it with pan-seared white fish with lemon.

The latest vintage of one of our most consistent Viogniers from the Languedoc. There is an evocation of Midi-in-a-glass here, including pit fruits, garrigue, melon and pear. Enjoy this delightful wine with spiced seafood dishes.

This second wine of Pomerol's Château Rouget is medium full-bodied with black cherry, loam, chocolate and tobacco characteristics. Soft and elegant, this Bordeaux bargain should drink well over the next 5-7 years.

Sourced from this estate's oldest vines, this Merlot-dominated Bordeaux is drinking well now with its soft and juicy currant and bright cherry-fruit flavours balanced by polished tannins. It's full-bodied and fairly rich and should be served over the next 5 years with mint-rubbed leg of lamb or mushroom-stuffed beef tenderloin.

The family-owned Maison Antonin Rodet is known mostly for their Côte Chalonnaise wines, but they also offer a small range of wines from Côte d'Or that are consistently well-made. This Chambolle-Musigny ably demonstrates this with its good fruit tones and fine balance between the fruits, acids and tannins. Match it to veal tenderloin or give it another two years of cellar time to really peak.

This Pinot is at its peak and represents an excellent value for Burgundy. It's the perfect match for mushroom risotto or duck confit.

This wine is a terrific value for this prestigious village AC.

Minervois is another sun-kissed wine region in the South of France that produces juicy and flavourful wines that over-deliver on quality and value. This blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre is packed with blueberry, plum, and pomegranate aromas with a touch of spice. It's dry, medium-bodied with supple fruit flavours balanced by cedary oak notes leading to a long finish. A delightful wine for casual but hearty dinners like beef stew, gourmet burgers or roast roast.

Over the past few years, current owner Helmut Darting has introduced a drier style to all levels of his wines. For example, his Spätlese tastes more like a Kabinett, while his Auslese comes across like a Spätlese. This Spätlese is filled with aromas and flavours of peach, pear, citrus and apricot. It is medium dry with a beautiful seam of acidity bringing the wine into excellent balance. Try it tonight with grilled salmon and lemon/dill sauce or with spicy Asian cuisine. It will also reward 2-5 years in a cellar.

The aromatic Muscat grapes used to make this popular Greek dessert wine are sourced from semi-mountainous vineyards in the Samos region. The wine is given extensive ageing in oak casks for a period of about 5 years which helps develop its amber appearance as well as flavours of butterscotch, toffee, and honey notes to complement the fruit flavours. Serve as an aperitif or with Baklava.

653824    (S)            375 mL    $11.95   

Törley is renowned for creating sparkling wines, but they have also been one of the first wineries to produce still Pinot Noir in Hungary. Designed in a fruit-forward, crowd-pleasing style, this black cherry- and raspberry-scented and flavoured wine is great for sipping or match it with grilled fish dishes.

66522    (D)            750 mL    $14.95   

The light spritz, gentle sweetness and low alcohol of Moscato d'Asti make it a must-have for anyone hosting a party. Fruity and fragrant, this easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing, and versatile frizzante works equally well as an aperitif, dessert wine or when paired with salmon or spicy cuisine.

Arneis means 'little rascal' or 'difficult person' in Piedmontese, so-called in this case because the grape is difficult to grow. Close to extinction in the 1970s, this grape variety bounced back to prominence in the 1980s due to a growth in demand for white wine in Piedmont. Formerly blended with Nebbiolo to add aroma and soften tannins, Arneis is now prized on its own for its exotic aromas of peach, pear, almonds, vanilla and floral characteristics. Arneis may be a mischief-maker but it's a delicious alternative to the ubiquitous Chardonnay grape.

60848    (D)            750 mL    $18.95   

This blend of 70% Nebbiolo and 30% Barbera is designed for current consumption. The Nebbiolo and Barbera are aged separately for a few months in French and Slavonian oak casks and the resulting wine offers aromas of blueberry, blackberry and red currant. On the palate, the Nebbiolo gives the wine volume while the Barbera adds freshness and fruit forwardness. A delicious accompaniment to braised beef or pulled pork dishes.

This full-bodied Barbaresco displays ripe fruit aromas of blackberry and strawberry. Dry with silky tannins and rich flavours, this would make a terrific match with everything from charcoal-grilled chicken to braised pork loin or a plate of hard cheeses like Grano Padano or Pecorino Romano.

The Giordano family has been producing wine since 1900 and is deeply rooted in its traditions but has also shown an openness to the innovations each generation has brought. This Primitivo has basked in the warm and windy climate of Puglia in Southern Italy and is bursting with jammy fruit flavours as well as hints of figs, vanilla, tobacco and oak. Balanced by some gentle tannins with a long dry finish, this is a terrific wine for grilled hot Italian sausages.

This modern take on Tuscan wine blends 85% Sangiovese with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. It shows lovely cherry and red currant aromas along with floral and vanilla oak notes. It's dry, full-bodied with bright red-fruit flavours accented by olive and spice notes and balanced by fine tannins and crisp acidity. It's your perfect pasta pairing and a fantastic value!

This lovely wine is made from young-vine Sangiovese grapes sourced from the same vineyard as this estate's Brunello. To add dimension, it is given a short term in French oak. The resulting wine, displaying cherry, plum and truffle aromas, is structured and fruit forward and may be served now with tomato-based pasta dishes or will reward cellaring for 2-4 years.

Sourced from the estate's San Jacopo vineyard, this Chianti Classico is purposefully designed to be enjoyed within the first three or four years. Expect a lot of fruit and nice balancing acid tones in this friendly wine. A good match with pasta with meat sauce or pizza.

710194    (XD)            750 mL    $17.95   

Clearly not indigenous to Veneto, Cabernet Sauvignon was first planted in the region's vineyards during the Napoleonic occupation. It was imported to the region by his armies in order to grow 'French' grapes in the captured territories. The fruit for this wine comes from the Asolani Hills whose soil and climate are ideal for the slow ripening of this legendary grape. The wine is filled with aromas of wild cherry, black?currant and plum. It is dry with a warm and intense mouthfeel. The producer suggests enjoying it with chestnut-stuffed quail with polenta.

This exceptional single-vineyard Amarone displays all the strengths of Remo Farina's regular bottling, which is frequently in our stores, but taken to an even more elevated level. The fruit is hand selected from the drying mats to ensure supreme quality of the finished wine. The resulting product is rich, ripe, round and deeply delicious. This 10-year-old is just hitting its stride, especially if served with a robust braised beef dish, but it will also reward 2-4 more years in a cellar.

A consistent favourite from Rioja, the 2004 Reserva is comprised of 70% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha (Grenache) with the remaining 10% divided between the Mazuelo and Graciano varieties. Exceeding its Reserva status, which only requires 12 months, the wine was aged for 24 months in oak barriques before bottling in May of 2007. Look for black cherry, strawberry, tobacco and toasty oak aromas and flavours in this medium-bodied, well-balanced wine. Very food-friendly, it's a must with roasted game, lamb chops or pasta in a hearty mushroom sauce.

976928    (D)            375 mL    $13.95   
177345    (D)            750 mL    $23.95   

Noted for its Chasselas wines, the city of Morges holds one of the larger fall fêtes in Switzerland to commemorate the end of the harvest. Each town celebrates differently, but generally producers, such as Domaine de Valmont, serve their previous vintages and pour freshly pressed grape juice as a 'sample' of the new vintage. Match this most recent vintage with the classic Swiss dish, cheese fondue. Or, since the winery seems to be named after one of its main characters, Valmont, sip it while watching or reading Dangerous Liaisons.