Calamus Pinot Gris 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.00 12.9% alcohol
This is a tasty, nicely balanced white that offers attractive aromas of sweet, tree fruit and citrus. Peach and pear flavours mingle with citrusy acidity on the palate providing a refreshing mouthful of flavour. It’s medium bodied with a hint of warmth lingering on the aftertaste. A perfect match for smoked salmon on potato latkes. It sells out quickly, order yours for daily home or office delivery from Calamus. (Susan Desjardins)


Trumpour’s Mill Cabernet Franc 2008
VQA Prince Edward County $17.95 13.0% alcohol
Cabernet Franc is one of Ontario’s signature varietals—this is a deep-ruby hue with appealing aromas of red fruit, wild blueberries, vanilla and an elusive trace of pencil shavings. This is lively on the palate with well-integrated oak and a ripe tannin structure. The flavours are appealing and enjoyable—cherry, raspberry pie and underlying hints of dark chocolate—and they persist on the finish. Offering flavour and value you won’t want to miss, it’s available for daily home or office delivery from Grange of Prince Edward County. (Susan Desjardins)


Konzelmann ‘Late Harvest’ Gewürztraminer 2008
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $17.20 (392357) 13.0% alcohol
Calling all Gewürz lovers, you won’t want to miss this gem—the gorgeous golden colour portends the weight and texture. Enticing aromas of rose water, lychee and spicy tropical notes lead into a nicely balanced, mid-weight, just off-dry beauty with refreshing, pungent acidity, and a lovely replay of the rich, ripe fruit and spice on the palate. Delightful on its own, it’ll be a great match to spicy Asian dishes. Currently available for daily home or office delivery from Konzelmann, look for it in one of this summer’s Vintages releases. (Susan Desjardins)


Konzelmann ‘Barrel Aged 4th Generation’ Merlot 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $25.00 13.0% alcohol
This was aged 18 months in new and seasoned French oak and is another delight from the storied 2007 vintage. It’s intense in color and aromas and rich with aromas of plum, black cherry, vanilla and spice box. Medium-full bodied and dry, the texture is velvety and sumptuous, the tannin well integrated and the rich, dark fruit deftly matched with fresh acidity. Hints of char and light pepper add complexity and linger on the lengthy, soft, fruity aftertaste. You won’t want to miss this; it’s available for daily home or office delivery from Konzelmann. (Susan Desjardins)


Malivoire ‘M2 Small Lot’ Gamay 2009
VQA Niagara Escarpment $17.95 12.5% alcohol
This is a bright, crimson-hued gem that’s vibrant and earthy with focused, red fruit aromas and scents of vanilla—it was partially aged in seasoned oak. Soft and silky on entry, the palate’s awash with bright, fresh red fruit—cherry and raspberry—complemented with high notes of spice and white pepper. It’s dry and mid weight on the palate with peppery notes lingering on the lengthy finish. Lovely on its own or poured with a hearty, vegetable stew. Order for daily home or office delivery from Malivoire. (Susan Desjardins)


Reif Estate Chenin Blanc 2009
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $18.95 13.0% alcohol
This premium Niagara estate is one of the few producing Chenin Blanc and it’s consistently delicious. Subtle, delicate floral and lightly honeyed, stone fruit aromas delight, leading into a silky texture that offers distinctive minerality, crisp acidity and nuances of citrus and apricot. Dry and mid weight, the finish is lengthy and vivid with pleasing, tangy acidity and a nuance of slate. Order for daily home or office delivery from Reif. (Susan Desjardins)


Tawse Riesling 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 10.0% alcohol
Drawing on fruit from four Niagara Escarpment vineyards, this is another award-winning offering. Expect lovely floral, tree fruit and citrus aromas leading to a basket of citrus at first sip—grapefruit, lemon and lime—racing across the palate on a spine of vibrant acidity. There’s great intensity here and a lasting finish with lingering mineral notes. A fine match for pan-fried cod with a squeeze of lemon and a candidate for medium-term cellaring. Order yours by the case for daily home or office delivery direct from Tawse. (Susan Desjardins)


Tawse ‘Cherry Avenue’ Pinot Noir 2008
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $57.95 13.0% alcohol
This gold-medal winner is the product of estate-grown fruit, 40% whole cluster pressed. Deep ruby, the aromas are enticing—floral, black cherry and nuances of spice and earth. It’s medium bodied, dry and beautifully balanced with a wonderful spine of clean acidity, well-integrated ripe tannin and nuanced flavours of red fruit, earth, white pepper and spice. It’s intense and impactful through the long, fresh, dry finish. It’ll cellar medium-term, but you’ll want to drink it now! Order yours by the case for daily home or office delivery direct from Tawse. (Susan Desjardins)


Tawse Riesling Ice Wine 2009
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $34.95 (200 ml) 10.0% alcohol
Golden hued, this intense wine has luscious aromas of honeyed stone fruit, tropical fruit such as pineapple and guava, and ripe citrus. The tasting experience is like a soft wave pouring across the palate—silky sweet stone fruit on entry through fresh lemon-lime on the mid-palate—with the harmony of both riding the spine of fresh acidity through the intense, refreshing, long-lasting finish. Order yours by the case for daily home or office delivery direct from Tawse. (Susan Desjardins)