Calamus Estate Winery Pinot Gris 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.50 12.2% alcohol
A plethora of lifted aromas jump from the glass of this full-bodied, generously textured silver medal winner at the All Canadian Wine Championship. Exotic Asian spice, honeydew melon and honeyed pear aromas provide segue to sweet fruit flavours exploding on the palate—Mirabelle plum, poached pear and lemon drop candy among them. It finishes sweet and spicy with a bit of spritz. Purchase by the mixed case of six, with daily home or office delivery, from Calamus. (VH)


Calamus Estate Winery Riesling 2007
VQA Vinemount Ridge $16.40 11.8% alcohol
There are focused aromas of mineral, spice and herbaceous savoury notes that segue the crisp green apple and citrussy lemon and white grapefruit flavours. It’s medium bodied, well textured and finishes crisp and tangy with a key lime surge. This refreshing gem pairs extremely well with pan-seared tilapia under a generous squirt of fresh lemon. Purchase by the mixed case of six, with daily home or office delivery, from Calamus. (VH)


Colio Estate Pinot Noir 2007
VQA Ontario $19.95 12.5% alcohol
Alluring and lifted aromas of freshly sliced strawberry and ripe red plum drift off this medium-bodied nicely textured Pinot. There are well-defined tangy and juicy flavours of ripe rhubarb, red currant and pie cherry on the palate and they’re persistent through the balanced and lingering finish. This is well structured and provides good quaffing as well as a willing dance partner to Swiss steak. (VH)


The Grange of Prince Edward County ‘Victoria Block’ Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2007
VQA Prince Edward County $35.00 14.3% alcohol
This first vintage of their blockbuster premium range bodes well for their future as well as PEC in general—this rising tide lifts all boats. Aromas of vanilla, tropical fruit and honeyed pear introduce a persistent stream of warm, spice-infused flavours with green apple, ripe juicy pear, oak and vanilla-laced pineapple to the fore along with wisps of smoke. It’s medium bodied, silky textured and sports a lingering crisp finish of tangy citrus zest and toasty notes. Drinking well now, will improve in the bottle over the next three years. Purchase by the case, with daily home or office delivery, from The Grange. (VH)


The Grange of Prince Edward County ‘Northfield’ Cabernet Franc 2007
VQA Prince Edward County $35.00 13.5% alcohol
This single-vineyard red opens with a nose of barnyard, spiced red berry, roasted herbs and earthy aromas. The flavours are persistent throughout—pie cherry, cranberry and sweet red and black raspberry. On the lengthy balanced finish you’ll find nuances of toasty oak and minerality. There’s perceptible tannin with medium body and a nice texture. Pair this with hearty red meat dishes like osso bucco or lamb stew. Delicious now, it’ll repay short term cellaring handsomely. Purchase by the case, with daily home or office delivery, from The Grange. (VH)


The Grange of Prince Edward County ‘Diana Block’ Pinot Noir 2007
VQA Prince Edward County $35.00 13% alcohol
From 100% estate-grown fruit, spice box, cola and heavenly scented spiced black plum aromas cascade from the glass of this medium-bodied well-structured Pinot. The focused flavours are a delectable amalgam of tangy cherry, ripe mulberry and black raspberry. It’s impeccably balanced with ripe tannin and a lingering fruity finish that layers on a hint of chocolate. To fully appreciate this wine, aerate/decant two hours before serving. Purchase by the case, daily home or office delivery, from The Grange. (VH)


Konzelmann Estate Winery ‘Late Harvest Reserve’ Gewürztraminer 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.00 13% alcohol
Rosewater and exotic Asian spice on the nose, this delivers a mouth-filling wave of flavour with spiced pear, sweet yellow peach and ripe apricot. This generously textured, nicely balanced wine reveals a lip-smacking finish of lemony citrus tang with a crisp lemon-lime bite at the end. This is perfectly paired with a spicy Asian dish like General Tso’s chicken. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery direct from Konzelmann. (VH)


Malivoire ‘Ladybug’ Rosé 2008
VQA Niagara Escarpment $15.95 (559088) 13% alcohol
Predominantly Cabernet Franc plus Gamay and Pinot Noir, it’s flavour filled and well structured. Spice and red berry fruit on the nose—raspberry and strawberry—there’s a rush of refreshing flavour with red currant and cherry clafoutie to the fore. It’s medium bodied and generously textured. The finish is lengthy, crisp and lip-smacking good pairing perfectly with creamy cheese—brie, camembert—or lightly herbed chicken. Purchase by the case, with daily home or office delivery, from Malivoire. (VH)


Tawse Winery ‘Sketches of Niagara’ Riesling 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.00 10% alcohol
Oh, my! What an exciting explosion of sweet and tang flavours delivering that zesty yin and yang of off-dry Riesling that pairs so well with spicy Asian cuisine. The aromas are a gorgeous melding of spice box, minerality and honeyed tree fruit—peach, pear and apple. Flavours of tangy citrus, crisp green apple and lemon drop candy attack the palate. It’s brimming with texture and sports a lingering finish. Order by the case for home or office daily delivery from Tawse Winery. (VH)