Frescobaldi ‘Albizzia’ Chardonnay 2011
IGT Toscana, Italy $12.95 (266585) 12.5% alcohol
This is good value and versatile for sipping or pairing with seafood or chicken. Green apple and pear on the nose, this dishes up a pleasant river of creamy smooth fruit with citrus—lemon and lime—crisp green apple and apricot mingling with orange zest. It’s mid weight with a round, refreshing mid-length aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)


Garofoli ‘Classico Superiore’ Verdicchio 2011
DOC Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Italy $12.55 (277293) 13.0% alcohol
With 5 generations and 140-plus years of production behind them, Garofoli delivers. Licorice, mineral and exotic spice aromas presage a delightful wash of mineral/salinity garnished with pear, lime peel and grapefruit pith. It’s mid weight with a creamy texture and crisp, racy finish. Built for food—oysters Kirkpatrick, tuna sashimi or prawn ceviche pair well. (Vic Harradine)


Ironstone ‘Obsession’ Symphony 2011
California $14.70 (295931) 12.0 % alcohol
If you’ve not tried this, you must. Sexy aromas of rosewater, Turkish delight and musk rip from this gem of a wine. The Symphony grape was bred in 1981 by Dr. Olmo of UC Davis in California; Ironstone handles it beautifully. Flavours of spice, sweet tropical fruit and honeyed peach abound. It’s balanced with a long mouth-watering finish. Nothing sips better on its own or better matches spicy Asian cuisine. (Vic Harradine)


Louis Jadot Chardonnay 2011
AOC Macon Villages, France $15.25 (164145) 12.5% alcohol
From Southern Burgundy, this smells and tastes of sunshine, or at least what sunshine brings—ripe fruit and flavourful wine. Aromas of ripe apple and pear introduce a nicely balanced wash of ripe orchard fruit and crisp, refreshing Meyer lemon—a lemon tasting riper and less acidic than others. Good weight and mouth feel with a mid-length finish add to the pleasure. There’s very good value here. (Vic Harradine)


Reif Estate ‘The Empress’ Chardonnay 2011
VQA Niagara River $12.95 (346791) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of lime and tropical fruit mingle with wisps of minerality on the nose. It splashes over the palate with a light-medium body and nice texture borne along with juicy pear and Granny Smith apple melding with lemony citrus and a hint of spice. Nicely balanced with a crisp, refreshing finish, this delivers good value. (Vic Harradine)


Reif Estate Riesling 2011
VQA Niagara River $11.95 (111799) 12.0% alcohol
Honeyed pit fruit, lime and yellow peach skin aromas herald a delightfully nuanced wash of tangy lime and ripe, juicy white peach bathing the palate with delicacy and balance. It’s a light-on-its-feet Riesling that’ll have wide appeal as a summer sipper or served with pasta in creamy white sauce, grilled calamari rings or steamed clams or mussels. Very charming, lip-smacking and dare I say… yummy. (Vic Harradine)


Shingleback ‘Haycutters’ Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2011
Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Australia $15.95 (207365) 12.0% alcohol
This is well paced, well priced and well… delicious. Lifted aromas of grassy, minerality mingle with honeyed orchard fruit and notions of tangy apple heralding a lively splash of racy, refreshing citrus, green apple and white peach on the palate. There’s good mouth feel, good weight and the finish is racy and lip-smacking good. Pour with all manner of fish and seafood. (Vic Harradine)