Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2005
Valle de Curicó Chile $11.15 (275909)
A Gold Medal winner at the recent Ottawa Wine and Food Show, it offers a lifted nose of grassy nettles and citrus. Light to medium-bodied, the fruit flavours of green apple and tangy honeydew melon are zippy and refreshing. Would marry well to a mixed green salad with crumbled chèvre. (VH


Funky Llama Chardonnay 2004
Argentina $9.95 (614 677)
The 'critters' get bigger; anyone for a tyrannosaurus rex? That aside, it's what's in, not on the bottle that counts and this adds up to a pleasant drop. Perfumed aromas and flavours of vanilla, ripe peaches and pears work their way through this lighter-styled offering. It has nice balance and finishes clean and refreshing. (VH)


Funky Llama Shiraz 2004
Argentina $9.95 (614685)
This is a huge crowd-pleaser with gobs of sweet, rich and concentrated jammy black berry fruit on the palate and finish. It's plush and ready to go now. Drinking well on its own, it would not be out of place poured alongside your favourite pasta and Italian sausage dish. The price to quality ratio pendulum is swung heavily in your favour. (VH)


E & J Gallo Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Sonoma County $17.00 (354274)
An aged and age-worthy Cab at a fraction the price one might expect to pay. It was picked at 24 Brix - aka ripe grapes and exhibits a mellow side (14% Merlot) with plum and ripe cherry flavours. The tannins are there, but tamed; coupled with the moderating acidity you are treated to deft balance and a clean finish. Gold medal recipient at the recent Ottawa Wine and Food show. Pour now to 2009. (VH)


Jackson-Triggs Proprieter's Reserve Chardonnay 2004
VQA Okanagan Valley $12.10 (665240)
Winner of Gold and Best of Show Dry White at the recent Ottawa Wine and Food show, this showcases BCs fabulous wines. Smoke and oak drift off the lifted nose while the flavours and texture are classic oaky Chard - creamy and redolent of green apples with hints of ripe, tropical fruit and vanilla. All this flavour and texture, within a medium-bodied frame and well-balanced finish, makes for very good value. (VH)


Leon Beyer Riesling Reserve 2005
AOC Alsace $15.20 (81471)
This is a gorgeous dry traditional-styled gem, with minerality and cleansing tanginess to the fore. With no effort to follow the crowd, the present Beyer family wine maker is the 13th in succession. It offers a delightful glass of refreshing Riesling. There are balancing flavours of pit fruit and citrus that make this the perfect foil to choucroute garnie. (VH)


Mad Dogs and Englishmen Monastrell/Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2004
DO Jumilla, Spain $13.95 (669135)
This red blend, 60% Monastrell aka Mourvédre, won Gold and Best of Show Dry Red at the 2006 Ottawa Wine and Food show. Expect a sexy nose of savoury, earthy and chalky aromas then a glorious mouthful of sweet (14% alcohol) ripe, red cherry and currant flavours. Well balanced with good tang and a medium-body, it finishes with more fruit and drying tannins. Well-paced and well-priced. (VH)


Pillitteri Estates Winery Gewürztraminer/Riesling 2004
VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 (349126)
You will love the lifted nose of spice box and rosewater and love even more the zippy layers of tropical fruit and citrus flavours that wash over the palate in waves. It's tangy and terrific, delivering that yin and yang delightful sweet and dry experience that pairs so well to spicy Asian cuisine. This is very favourably priced. (VH)


Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Marlborough, New Zealand $14.50 (620062)
A lot going on in the perfumed nose and it's all in the grassy, herbaceous zone. In a tasting of 8 Kiwi SBs this one clearly stood out. The flavours are luscious and memorable as they coat the palate with sweet tropical fruit salad and zingy citrus zest. This has the structure and balance to be sipped proudly on its own or be matched to spicy Asian cuisine - try shrimp spring rolls. (VH)