Alice White Chardonnay 2005
South Eastern Australia $12.80 (550491)
The pleasing and expressive tropical fruit and vanilla aromas open up to peach, nectarine and green apple flavours in this well-priced, medium-bodied Chard. Everything is in balance. Mark it as well made and delicious. The medium length fruity and clean finish begs for a warm, lazy summer day on the patio. (VH)


Banrock Station Unwooded Chardonnay 2005
Australia $12.60 (668954) 1 L Tetra
It's easy - easy opening, easy drinking and easy on the wallet. Pleasant tropical fruit flavours give way to a light-bodied quaffer offering apple and sweet pit fruit flavours complemented by more of the same on the finish. These folks are spearheading the "Bring Back the Salmon to Lake Ontario" initiative. Good on them. (VH)

Trinity Oaks Merlot 2002
California $12.00 (610865)
A straightforward Merlot that delivers ripe dark fruit flavours (plum to the fore) with hints of spice. It's medium bodied, dry, slightly tannic, and well balanced. It won't knock your socks off, but it's well made and ideal for grilled red meats from the barbecue. (RP)

M. Chapoutier "Belleruche" Côtes-du-Rhône 2004
AOC Côtes-du-Rhône $14.95 (665422)
Too many Côtes-du-Rhônes are mediocre (taste them at countless Paris bistros as house wine), but there are many quality expressions, too. Here's one of them, from a well-known producer. It delivers aromas of spicy dark fruit (cherry, plum) that change up to intense flavours of sweet, dark fruit with firm accents of spice and pepper. Try this with grilled lamb chops. (RP)


Bouchard Père & Fils Beaujolais-Villages 2004
AOC Beaujolais-Villages $12.95 (665448)
After the rich, intense Beaujolais of 2003, we return to the more typical styles in 2004. This is medium bodied and dry with lovely aromas and flavours of red plum and berries, with hints of spice and earthiness. It's nicely balanced and an excellent partner to summer salads featuring ham or salmon. (RP)

Sacred Hill "Whitecliff" Merlot 2004
Hawke's Bay $14.40 (610980)
This Merlot from the east coast of the North Island (New Zealand's "Right Bank," if you like) delivers quite powerful aromas and intense flavours of dark fruit (plums dominant) with notes of spice and vanilla. Medium-plus in weight, it's well balanced, has a nice structure, and pairs well with grilled lamb. (RP)

Birchwood Estate Wines Gewürztraminer/Riesling 2004
VQA Niagara Peninsula $10.95 (572156)
A mouth watering 'off dry' blend that opens with wispy rosewater aromas. The palate offers zesty citrus and sweet peach flavours that echo off each other to provide a glorious yin and yang, sweet and sour experience. It's fresh, clean and tangy, begging for spicy Asian cuisine, but is still delicious on its own. The price to quality balance is tipped in your favour. (VH)


Cave Spring Cellars Chardonnay 2004
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (228551)
Ripe peach and mineral notes carry right through this tangy and zesty light to medium-bodied gem. There are also spice and citrus flavours that wash over the palate then get into high gear on the balanced finish. It's tasty, refreshing and great value. Pour with lightly herbed veal or chicken dishes. (VH)


Henry of Pelham Dry Riesling 2005
VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 (268375)
Rich, concentrated fruit is the hallmark of this low-yield white. Mineral and floral notes drift from the glass while the flavours are crisp lemon and sharp yellow plum. Plenty of verve, spice and flavour to drink with pasta in a pesto sauce sprinkled with chèvre. (VH)


Hillebrand "Trius" Red 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (303800)
Quite intense aromas of dark fruit and spice lead into a solid fruit-packed flavour profile that features dark plum, cherry, berries and notes of spice and pencil shavings. This is medium bodied, dry, lightly tannic, and very well balanced. It's an excellent partner for many dishes, including grilled red meats, and gourmet pizza that's rich in mushrooms. (RP)


Vineland Estates Cabernet Franc 2004
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95
A very nicely-paced Cab Franc. There's a quite delicious core of sweet red fruit (plum and berries), with notes of tobacco and cedar. It's light-medium in body so won't stand up to heavy dishes, but it's terrific with grilled pork tenderloin with a fruit salsa or with seared scallops. (RP)

Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2000
DOC Rioja $17.95 (137810)
A well-priced Rioja that offers attractive aromas of red and dark fruit with notes of spice and vanilla. The flavours are dominated by dark fruit with an undercurrent of dried fruit, again accented by spice and vanilla. Medium bodied and dry, this goes well with grilled red meats. (RP)