Sumac Ridge Estate Winery Tribute Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, B.C., Canada: Made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes in honour of Canadian athletes who will compete at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games, this wine dances with zingy citrus notes and has a lovely toasty finish. 169508 13% XD 750 mL  $30.00 Score: 91/100. December 10, 2011 Favourite Sparkling Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review

Mission Hill Compendium 2007, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A, Canada: This superb blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet France, 21% Merlot and 5% Petite Verdot offers gorgeous depths of blackcurrant, blackberry, dark spices and smoke. Savoury notes come through as well such as sage, cedar and black cherry. Perfect for dinner parties. Drink: 2010-2018. 520097 14% MD 750 mL  $55.00 Score: 94/100. November 6, 2010 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Malivoire Wine Company Mottiar Chardonnay 2009, V.Q.A., Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: A fantastic wine from the vineyard that winemaker Shiraz Mottiar discovered in 2003, and subsequently planted. Expressive apple blossom, apricot, pear, coconut oil, and a lashing of minerality. Dry, with zippy acidity counterpointing a bright fruit core. Impressive balance and complexity, a tangy finish, and good length. My note: Fall down on your knees (wear kneepads) and be glad you have this wine. Gorgeous, voluptuous aromas of green apple, peach, oak, and toasted almond. This is amazing. Do I even need to say full-bodied? Drink: 2011-2016. 146985 13% D 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 92/100. April 30, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Charles Ellner Réserve Brut Champagne, A.C., Champagne, France: Toasty goodness with Asian pear and white peach. Crisp and clean. 211763 12% D 750 mL  $44.95 Score: 90/100. April 30, 2011 Favourite Sparkling Wine. Full Review

Georges Gardet Champagne, A.C., Champagne, France: Vintages Wine Panel: For Champagne of this quality, this is a terrific value. This release will be from a more recent lot than the review below, but Gardet crafts a consistent house style. My note: A toasty great bubbly with white peach and green apple and freshly baked bread. 924654 12% XD 750 mL  $39.95 Score: 90/100. December 5, 2009 Favourite Sparkling Wine. Full Review

Quinta Da Romaneira Unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage Btld. 2010 Port 2004, D.O.C., Douro, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: Unlike regular LBVs, unfiltered versions, such as this, can age – this beauty is just beginning to hit its stride – and should be decanted before enjoyment. My note: A lovely after-dinner sipper for a great price. All you need is a few ounces so a little goes a long way and it’ll keep for several weeks. Treat yourself. Drink: 2011-2018. 196758 19.50% S 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 88/100. March 19, 2011 Favourite Dessert Wine. Full Review

Mer Soleil Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2008, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, United States: I love this wine! Yes, I have a soft spot for the fact it helped mitigate the screaming children at a Disney restaurant the first time I tasted it, but it’s more than that. Lovely ripe peach and pear aromas with nicely tapped butterscotch and vanilla spoke. So yum. But give that kid a soother please. Drink: 2011-2017. 958975 14.50% XD 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 92/100. May 14, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Clos Du Bois Marlstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, United States: Nicely balanced with terrific structure and full-bodied weight. Classic aromas of black currant and cassis. An elegant dinner party wine or gift. Drink: 2010-2016. 955104 14.50% D 750 mL  $49.95 Score: 94/100. November 6, 2010 Full Review