Calamus Estate Winery Unoaked Chardonnay 2006
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.00
This is a very successful Chardonnay that's characterized by pure fruit flavours and a great fruit-acid balance. Look for well-defined flavours of apple, pear and peach when you first open the bottle, and expect a delicate muskiness to emerge after about an hour to add complexity. The texture is smooth, the weight is medium, and this makes an excellent partner to roast chicken or grilled white fish. Order on-line from www.calamuswines.com. (RP)


Calamus Estate Winery 'Sagitta' Gewürztraminer 2006
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.00
This 100% Gewürztraminer delivers delicate flavours and texture that are all characteristic of the variety, but in a style that's much lighter than from, say, Alsace. In many ways, this is a more versatile style that will still match spicy Asian cuisine but won't threaten to overpower food with pungent flavours and spiciness. The flavours of lychee, peach, and apricot here are lightly accented with warm spices, musk and white pepper, and there's a seam of lovely lime-flavoured acidity. Just off-dry, it's an excellent sipping wine, too. Order on-line from www.calamuswines.com. (RP)


Reif Estate Winery Chardonnay Reserve 2005
VQA Niagara River $19.95
This is a stylish Chardonnay with a lot of character. The concentrated fruit flavours lie mainly in the peach-apricot-mango-tropical zone and there are attractive seams of toffee and caramel. It makes for a rich flavour that meshes well with the plush texture. Add a nice balancing seam of acidity, and you have a quite delicious Chardonnay, one that paired well with fig and olive tapenade and will also complement rich chicken and turkey dishes. Order on-line from www.reifwinery.com. (RP)