Banrock Station ‘Unwooded’ Chardonnay 2007
South Eastern Australia $10.95 (455022)
Ginger-infused citrus aromas mingle with nuances of tropical fruit on the alluring nose of this Aussie white. It’s refreshing and crisp on the palate and certainly doesn’t lack fruit as it delivers a lovely mouthful of warm (13.3% alcohol) tree fruit flavours—pear, apple, and lemon. It’s light to medium bodied, generously textured and punches well above the price. Pair with all manner of lightly herbed and spiced fish, chicken or veal. (VH)


Banrock Station Shiraz 2006
South Eastern Australia $11.95 (455014)
Spice box, dark berry fruit and nuances of cherry cordial on the nose, it hits the palate with a persistent salvo of sweet and ripe cherry and cassis flavours that are nicely balanced with some moderating acidity on the generous finish. Medium in weight and texture, it provides a nice quaffing red at a more than fair price. It pairs well with grilled red meats, pasta in meat and tomato sauce, or meat-laden pizza. (VH)



Charles Heidsieck ‘Brut Réserve’ Non-Vintage
AOC Champagne $55.50 (36962)
From the house of Charles-Camille Heidsieck a.k.a. ‘Champagne Charlie’, comes this stunningly complex Champagne that has the depth and concentration of Vintage Champagne, without the price tag. It was bottled in 2003 and disgorged in ’06. Very deep yellow with a persistent stream of froth, this delivers a lovely attack on the palate of crisp and refreshing ripe citrus and Granny Smith apple flavours. It’s fully textured and delivers a racy finish. Paired mine with oysters Pernod and it was delicious. (VH)


Piper-Heidsieck ‘Cuvée Brut’ Non-Vintage
AOC Champagne $57.65 (462432)
This is elegant and light on its feet with an expressive nose of white flowers, citrus and hints of baking bread. An even-split blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it’s light bodied and nicely textured delivering a refreshing mouthful of froth. The flavours include lemon zest and green apple and they’re persistent through the medium-length finish. This is a perfect aperitif or it can be paired with seafood or chicken appetizers. (VH)



Santa Carolina Chardonnay 2007
Casablanca $10.95 (304022)
Meticulous vine and winemaking management coalesced here—estate grown, drip irrigated, harvested in two stages two weeks apart, 10% barrel fermented in new oak, left on lees for four months with regular lees stirring, no induced malolactic. This is a medium-weight, nicely textured mouthful of ripe citrus, binned apple and vanilla flavours. There are sweet vanilla and spice aromas on the nose that carry through to the crisp and clean, well-balanced finish. This delivers a lot of wine at a very reasonable price. (VH)



Rocca delle Macie ‘Straccali’ Chianti Classico 2006
DOCG Chianti Classico $16.60 (19695)
This is a classy red with oodles of rich, dark and concentrated flavours—cassis, spiced Bing cherry and black raspberry. It’s medium bodied with a firm mouth feel. There’s good balance, perceptible tannin and a lengthy finish along with lashings of French oak; it saw 12 months in barrel. Lasagna and spaghetti Bolognese both pair well. (VH)



Coopers Creek ‘Fat Cat’ Chardonnay 2006
New Zealand $14.90 (576124)
Vanilla, hints of toasty oak and binned apple aromas waft from the glass of this medium-bodied nicely textured Kiwi. Flavours of warm (13.5% alcohol), sweet tropical fruit, ripe apple and pear abound on the palate and persist through the lingering finish. It’s deftly balanced and pairs well with roast chicken. A portion of the purchase price will be donated to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (VH)


Coopers Creek ‘Sally Cat’ Pinot Noir 2006
New Zealand $14.95 (610667)
A portion of the purchase price will be donated to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Spice box, cherry Kool-aid and kirsch liqueur aromas open up this medium-weight and nicely textured Pinot. The flavours on the palate are quite sweet—cherry cordial and maraschino cherry—while the finish layers on some zest and tang for balance. It’s light to medium bodied and drinks better with food rather than without; try roast beef in a Port-reduction sauce. (VH)



Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2007
WO Durbanville $11.95 (22251)
Herbs, nettles and gooseberry on the nose, this delivers a generous gusher of white grapefruit flavour with hints of fig and honeydew melon. It’s nicely textured and medium bodied while the finish layers on a crisp bite of lime. Enjoyed mine paired with Sambuca-marinated and prosciutto-wrapped grilled prawns. (VH)


Durbanville Hills Shiraz 2005
WO Durbanville $11.95 (22269)
This opens with an expressive nose of smoky (as in campfire), oaky and tarry aromas that make their way into the flavours. The flavours are quite involved with ripe red juicy berry fruit, spice box and moderating zest and tang through the medium-length finish. It was aged twelve months in new and seasoned French and American oak. This hits its straps with smoked meat—duck breasts or bar-b-qued ribs. (VH)