After months of postponing the painting of a rusty old shed in the middle of their premier Chardonnay vineyard, the folks at Flat Rock decided to name their top-tier Chardonnay after it. No need to paint it now. This medium full-bodied, barrel-aged Chard features generous aromas of vanilla, pears, apples, tropical fruit and spices. Dry, buttery and full flavoured, it has the elegance and finesse to develop in cellar over the next 3-5 years.

001552    (XD)            750 mL    $24.95     

This soft and creamy Chardonnay is sourced from Malivoire's Estate and Moira vineyards. Martin Malivoire and his team do not use chemical insecticides, herbicides or fertilizers in their vineyards. This wine possesses complex aromas of spiced apple, citrus, butter, spice and elegant toast. It's dry and well-balanced, displaying juicy apple flavours with mineral notes and a toasty finish. It matches beautifully with pork tenderloin or pan-fried freshwater fish.

573147    (D)            750 mL    $21.95     

The Pillitteri family's Italian heritage provides obvious inspiration for this refreshing Pinot Grigio. With its bright citrus, green apple and mineral characteristics and lively acidity, this dry, light and refreshing wine is wonderfully versatile as either a delicious summer sipper or a food-friendly match for grilled pork chops and fresh Ontario veggies or pasta in a light cream sauce.

This top-tier Merlot counts among its many accolades a Silver Medal won at the prestigious international wine competition Vinexpo 2006 and a Gold Medal at the 2006 Canadian Wine Awards. Rich and layered, it features plum, raspberry and cherry fruit flavours as well as elements of spice, coffee beans, chocolate and tobacco. Well-structured and elegant, this maturing wine is ready to drink with rack of lamb or mature artisanal cheeses.

071753    (XD)            750 mL    $39.95     

Pillitteri is one of a select group of Niagara estates that consistently succeeds with Merlot. This dry, medium-bodied version is perfect for enjoying around the barbecue this summer with its layers of plum, licorice, toast and mocha flavours. Well-balanced and easy-drinking, it offers exceptional value!

071738    (XD)            750 mL    $14.95     

Clarksburg, the relatively obscure region near Sacramento, offers terrific wines from under-appreciated varieties. Well worth discovering, this crisp and juicy Chenin Blanc is packed with green apple, citrus and pineapple fruit flavours balanced by vital acidity. Refreshing and very food-friendly, it merits picking up a case to enjoy all summer long.

This wine won Gold as well as Best of Class and Best of Varietal honours at the New World Wine Competition 2007. This Napa Valley Savvy has an intense nose featuring ripe melon, pink grapefruit, and the characteristic grassiness that the variety is famous for. It's dry and flavourful with zippy citrus and tropical fruit leading to a crisp finish. It will serve as a refreshing summer sipper but it's even better with grilled fish, summer salads or sushi.

339663    (D)            750 mL    $24.95   

Dynamite Vineyards gets its name from the means used to sculpt the original vineyard site out of promising, but rocky, slopes. Since its debut in the early 1990s, the winery has expanded and now owns vineyards throughout California. This fruit-forward Merlot is from their best vineyards in the North Coast. An ideal medium-bodied red for around the barbecue.

This ever-popular Merlot has a lot going for it. Aged in French and American oak barrels for 25 months, the 2004 features soft, fruity aromas of black plums and blueberries with hints of red licorice and vanilla. It's dry, medium full-bodied with deep dark-fruit flavours and a lingering spicy/toasty finish. Vintage after vintage it is consistently delightful.

The name Two Tone Farm was borrowed from a painting by Santa Fe artist Patrick McFarlin. The winery was so taken with his artwork, they recreated it on their labels. This is a solid Cab with pure blackcurrant and black cherry fruit along with notes of vanilla and sweet herbs. Made in a ready-to-drink style, this is an attractive Cab at an equally attractive price. Enjoy with a grilled rib-eye steak topped with mushrooms.

Argentine Torrontés makes a convincing case for the title of best summer wine. Wonderfully aromatic, it features layers of floral, muscat, citrus and peach notes. It's dry, medium full-bodied with juicy peach and tangerine fruit flavours leading to a pure crisp finish. Terrific as an aperitif it would also make a great match for chicken and veggie kebabs or grilled tuna steaks.

037127    (D)            750 mL    $13.95   

Famed 'flying winemaker' Michel Rolland consults with in-house winemaker Matias Michelini to craft the elegant modern wines of Finca Sophenia. The fruit sourced for this state-of-the-art, gravity-fed winery benefits from the Tupungato sub-region's unique terroir with vineyards planted at a dizzying elevation of 1200 metres. This medium-bodied, elegant Merlot features plush, ripe-plum flavours as well as vanilla and toast notes on the smooth finish.

Winemaker/proprietor Daniel Amadio is following in the footsteps of his parents who founded Chain of Ponds winery in Adelaide Hills and his Italian grandfather, Giovanni Amadio, who came to Australia and opened a small, cellar-door business (or cantina as he called it) in the 1930s. This generous, full-bodied Cab is packed with ripe cassis, blackcurrant fruit flavours and aromas as well as notes of mint and chocolate. It's a great match for barbecue back ribs.

A group of enterprising Barossa growers formed The Valley Growers Cooperative in 1985 to sell their own wines under the Barossa Valley Estate name. With its dedication to quality, this cooperative quickly earned an international reputation for excellence. Ebenezer is a picturesque village in the northern region of the Barossa Valley. The first vineyards at Ebenezer were established in the mid 1800s and have been carefully tended ever since. They supply the fruit for this exceptional Cabernet. Packed with blackcurrant aromas and flavours, this elegant and well-structured wine is approachable now and will continue to develop over the next decade.

039537    (XD)            750 mL    $39.95   

Over fifty years ago Joe Ceravolo's family came to South Australia from Southern Italy - where his family has been making wine for generations. Joe's Italian heritage comes shining through in this remarkable Sangiovese. Dry and medium-bodied, this wine features fresh red cherry and spice flavours balanced by some refreshing acidity leading to a persistent finish. Try it with pasta in a tomato sauce, grilled vegetables or veal scallopini.

A great deal of care goes into crafting this deep and smoky Shiraz. The fruit is selected from individual lots of premium McLaren Vale vineyards before they are gently pressed using the traditional, hand-operated basket press. The juice is fermented in small open-top fermenters and the final wine is then aged for 18 months in both French and American oak. Brimming with dark berry aromas as well as notes of tobacco and spice, this plump and rich red makes a terrific match for rare prime rib anytime over the next decade.

Equal parts Shiraz and Grenache, this bold blend displays aromas and flavours of blackberry, black cherry, and licorice with background notes of coffee and caramel. This mouth-filling wine lands softly on the palate, and finishes long and smooth. Delicious with beef stir-fry or grilled lamb burgers.

This family-run producer was named Winery of the Year for 2006-07 by Winestate Magazine, and winemaker Steve Webber was named Winemaker of the Year for 2007 by Gourmet Traveller Wine! Big and bold-flavoured Petite Sirah, like this example, is capturing the hearts and minds of wine lovers worldwide. Look for ripe cherry fruit, vanilla and oak in this smooth and generous wine. Enjoy with gourmet burgers hot off the grill or braised short ribs.

Penley's rosé is a quirky cuvée of Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. They get the most out of their all-star lineup, crafting a vivid, refreshing wine with layers of strawberry, plum and cassis fruit flavours. Serve this at your next Sunday afternoon barbecue party and your friends will be 'Over the Moon'.

The fruit for this spectacular Sauvignon Blanc is hand-picked and whole-cluster pressed. A small portion of the blend is fermented in French oak barriques while the rest is done in stainless steel. This youthful wine features intense aromas of grapefruit and freshly cut grass. It's full-bodied with ripe citrus flavours, lively acidity and a lengthy crisp, clean finish. A fine complement to lightly seasoned grilled, or pan-fried freshwater fish.

063941    (XD)            750 mL    $19.95   

A terrific value, this fresh and youthful Pinot has concentrated cherry aromas, as well as smoky plum and spice notes. It's dry, medium-bodied with good intensity and loads of charm. It should drink well over the next 2-3 years but why wait? Refreshing and fruity, it's an ideal wine for summer, especially when matched with a savoury herbed chicken roasted on the barbecue.

The Hawkes Bay region on New Zealand's North Island is best-known for producing red wines, particularly with classic Bordeaux varieties. The moderate maritime climate, sunny skies and gravelly soils are perfect for growing deep and delicious Merlot like this one. This well-structured wine offers rich fruit flavours with hints of spice. Enjoy with grilled steaks or gourmet sausages.

Dirkie Morkel (yes, it's his real name) is the resident viticulturalist as well as fourth-generation owner of this family estate. He works closely with winemaker Wilhelm Kritzinger to craft this remarkable proprietary cuvée. An excellent value, the 2003 is comprised of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% of Cabernet Franc. This savoury red features blackcurrant, cedar, vanilla and a hint of eucalyptus. Dry, full-bodied and well-balanced, it will pair well with smoked meats, grilled beef kebabs or Applewood smoked cheddar.

This crisp, well-balanced Viognier has intense citrus and apricot aromas with subtle hints of tropical fruit. A lovely aperitif or delicious complement to seared duck breast.

045138    (D)            750 mL    $13.95   

Though fairly new to our market, Viña Lomas de Cauquenes is renowned in Chile for their research and development. In fact, they were the first organic winery in the country. Our Quality Assurance laboratory has determined that this wine contains 9 mg/L of free sulphur. Enjoy this balanced, fruit-forward wine with grilled chicken or steamed mussels.

663021    (D)            750 mL    $14.95   

Designed to be enjoyed young, this classic New World Sauvignon Blanc is filled with aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit, gooseberry and cut grass. Served well chilled, this is a perfect wine to enjoy on your deck with pan-fried freshwater fish.

072959    (XD)            750 mL    $13.95   

This wine has typical Merlot aromas of ripe blackberry, plum, black pepper, earth and a touch of roasted green bell pepper. The first thing you recognize on the palate is a very smooth texture, carrying ripe, forward fruit and spicy vanilla notes. The flavours are backed up by mild to medium acidity and soft tannins. Try it with barbecued backribs.

This blend combines Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère, two grapes that have already earned a strong reputation in Chile, with the up-and-coming Syrah. Big, complex and full-bodied, it offers up gorgeous red-fruit aromas with subtle hints of leather, earth and spice. Enjoy this versatile wine with grilled red meats or a selection of fine cheeses.

014183    (D)            750 mL    $15.95   

A Bronze Medal winner at the 5th Annual Wines of Chile Awards, this Cabernet, from the Cremaschi family, is filled with ripe cassis, cocoa, blueberry and spice aromas and flavours. This flavourful wine is an ideal match for grilled lamb or barbecued steak.

Pliny the Elder, the great first-century writer and naval commander, recounts in his writings that a friend, Julia Augusta, enjoyed wine made from the Žlahtina grape every day and lived to be 86 - an astoundingly long life in this period. Žlahtina may not hold the key to the fountain of youth but this Croatian grape most certainly produces wines that are aromatic, crisp and fresh. Enjoy with simply prepared fish or seafood dishes.

075044    (D)            750 mL    $16.95   

Lucien Albrecht's Réserve line of wines are created to be a perfect reflection of the Albrecht style in each variety. This Riesling is designed to be dry, fruit-driven, and finely balanced by a seam of acidity. Enjoy with grilled turkey breast, fresh-caught fish or herbed mushroom-based dishes.

745000    (D)            750 mL    $19.95   

Half the juice for this wine was fermented in new French oak barrels, the other half in stainless steel. The nose offers delicious aromas of apricot, tangerine and hints of vanilla. On the palate, it has a rich texture with ripe peach and candied fruits, with a long creamy finish. Try this wine with grilled swordfish topped with a mango salsa or lobster in a cream sauce.

669531    (XD)            750 mL    $18.95   

The 2006 [red Burgundies] are generally riper and fleshier than the 2004s, and at least at the level of quality of the underrated 2001s. I suspect that long-time Burgundy collectors will love the better 2006s, and many of these wines will give great pleasure while you're waiting for the more powerful 2005s to reach full maturity. As a general rule, the village wines in 2006 will be at their best between 3 and 10 years after the harvest, the premier crus 5 to 15 and the grand crus 8 to 20. (Steven Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, March/April 2008)

From world-famous Burgundy properties to solid village wines, such as this Gevrey-Chambertin, most winemakers have suggested that 2005 truly was a vintage to sit back and watch Mother Nature do her best. Enjoy this vibrant, fruity and balanced wine with grilled beef or age it 3-5 years.

New at VINTAGES

Organic Product
CHÂTEAU PECH-LATT CORBIÈRES  2006
AC  

Pech-Latt farms organically, which doesn't necessarily mean guaranteed quality, but organic growers rightly claim it's also a whole way of life. This philosophy, accompanied by fussy attention in the vineyard, can produce superb grapes. No synthetic pesticides or fertilisers are used ... The idea is to foster biodiversity in soil and vineyard and hence naturally healthy vines. (Richard James, www.winewriting.com)

Our Quality Assurance laboratory has determined that this organic wine contains 26 mg/L of free sulphur. Try this Carignan-based beauty with organic sirloin steaks.

Vinsobres was awarded its own AC in 2005. This is the first vintage to appear without Côtes du Rhône-Villages listed. The grapes are harvested at 420 metres above sea level, thus the name Altitude 420.

TASTING NOTE: Solid, mouthfilling licorice, graphite and fig paste flavors run through this full-bodied version, with hints of mocha, black currant and sweet tobacco on the finish. Has solid grip. Drink now through 2008. Score - 90. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, June 15, 2007) 

073924    (D)            750 mL    $19.95   

A pleasing blend of mostly Merlot with Cabernet playing a supporting role, this Bordeaux-style wine features aromas of currant, pipe tobacco and new leather. Dry, elegant and supple, this long-finishing wine is a good choice for grilled stuffed chicken or roast leg of lamb.

Using grapes grown at the foot of the Pyrenees, Le Clos Camy blends 50% Tannat, a highly tannic specialty variety of Madiran, with 30% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a refined, structured wine that will reward 3-5 years in cellar. If enjoyed now, it will make a fine complement to lamb or steak au poivre.

From the family behind Château de Beaucastel comes this popular rosé. Sourced from the Perrin Brothers' own southern Rhône vineyards, this versatile rosé is an excellent companion to cucumber sandwiches and other foods you'd serve at an afternoon garden party.

Hungary's indigenous Cserszegi Füszeres grape is known for its vibrant floral aromas, exotic fruit flavours and fresh, tangy acidity. This is an excellent example of the elderflower and exotic fruit typical of this unique variety. Try this aromatic wonder with spicy vegetable dips or summer salads.

060822    (D)            750 mL    $13.95   

The Attems family have an ancient lineage in the Friuli region dating back to 1106. Recently, they joined forces with another wine dynasty, Marchesi di Frescobaldi. Bright tropical fruit, pear and apple flavours, viscous texture and a crisp finish are the hallmarks of this popular Pinot Grigio. Serve it as a refreshing aperitif or with grilled chicken breasts and summer salads.

707950    (XD)            750 mL    $19.95   

In the 12th century, a German bishop sent his scout ahead to find an inn that served quality wines. The scout tried several, writing Est! (Latin for 'it is') on the door when he found a good one. At the inn at Montefiascone, the scout was so enthusiastic he wrote Est! Est!! Est!!! on that door. Presumably, that's where the bishop stayed. Today, the wines, made with Trebbiano and Malvasia, are appley, bright and gently aromatic. They are said to be excellent partners for such Roman specialities as fritto misto (fried mixed meat and vegetables) and carciofi alla giudea (deep-fried artichoke).

074120    (XD)            750 mL    $16.95   

This wine is made with Trebbiano di Lugana. The glacial plain and moderating cool breezes off of Lake Garda create wines that are pleasingly aromatic, perfumed and quite rich. Enjoy with flavourful seafood dishes. Our Quality Assurance laboratory has determined that this organic wine contains 33 mg/L of free sulphur.

073411    (XD)            750 mL    $15.95   

Sourced from Zenato's estate vineyards in San Benedetto just south of Lake Garda, this crisp and refreshing white is perfect for summer enjoyment. Made from the Trebbiano di Lugana grape, its delicious peach, citrus and melon flavours will make this a surefire hit when paired with broiled fish or seafood risotto, or savour on its own as an aperitif.

707158    (XD)            750 mL    $15.95   

Probably the perfect wine to evoke a summer's day is this newest vintage of the floral, slightly fizzy, gently sweet, low-alcohol wonder, Moscato d'Asti. Chill it for about three hours and enjoy with fresh fruit or lighter desserts.

028175    (MS)            750 mL    $19.95   

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a grape and wine that inspires hot, sunny afternoons on the back deck after a long day of work or play. It is an exceptional palate refresher, featuring pretty lemon and melon aromas and flavours. Beyond sipping, it is an excellent match for summer salads or simply prepared freshwater fish.

070847    (XD)            750 mL    $15.95   

This wine is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco (aka Pinot Blanc) sourced entirely from estate-grown fruit. It displays aromas of pear, apple and peach with a big, round mouthfeel. It would be an excellent match for grilled herbed chicken, paella or pork with apple sauce.

065086    (XD)            750 mL    $18.95   

The 2007 Gambero Rosso Italian Wines guide had this to say of winemaker Donato D'Angelo: "His wines eschew current fashions and trends and have the character and finesse of true classics." The 2004 Aglianico del Vulture offers ripe black cherry fruit, with spicy cinnamon and coffee notes. Its ample tannins would make it a suitable partner for grilled meats or strong cheeses.

This Barolo comes from Batasioli's Boscareto vineyard which is a southeast-facing slope located at an altitude of 400 metres. It overlooks the famous village of Serralunga. The producers age the wines for two years in oak and a further year in bottle prior to release. The resulting wine is packed with a rich bouquet of rose petals, plum and truffles. Dry, and tannic for good ageing potential (4-6 years), this Barolo has layers of fruit that are just waiting to burst forward.

Made with 100% Nero d'Avola, this fantastic value displays rich aromas and flavours of pomegranate, dried plum, leather and smoky oak. A smouldering wine that's as warm as the island of Sicily itself. The soft tannins make it perfect with calzone, or give it a try with grilled lamb chops.

546192    (D)            750 mL    $14.95   

This juicy and ripe Amarone is a blend of 65% Corvina Veronese and 35% Rondinella that are grown in the verdant, hilly vineyards of Marano di Valpolicella. It is full-bodied with a velvety texture and complex interplay of dark-fruit flavours. The winemakers suggest decanting this wine for one hour before serving. Makes the perfect companion to a selection of fine cheeses.

A pretty rosé that calls out for a variety of food, such as barbecued chicken, grilled tuna or grilled pork with a mango chutney. The wine is filled with lemon zest, black cherry and spice aromas and flavours. This wine is dry and finishes with a zingy fruitiness.

033555    (D)            750 mL    $14.95