Angove Family Winemakers Long Row Chardonnay 2008, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Bright medium-yellow. Aromas of yellow apple, apricot and pie crust emerge on the nose along with notes of spice and vanilla candle. Dry, fruity, ripe and round. It’s bright and fresh with lively acidity and a beautiful marriage of fruit and oak. This is a medium-full-bodied Chard. Great value. My note: Terrific buttery Chardonnay with green apple and hazelnut notes. Round, rich and lovely, especially for the price. Could easily be $20. 641779 13.50% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 89/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review

Calamus Estate Winery Reserve Riesling 2007, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: From Ontario’s sunshine-filled 2007 vintage, this wine was aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve its expressive aromatics. Apple blossom, peach, citrus and mineral are joined by an intriguing hint of petrol. Very slightly off-dry, with racy acidity in fine harmony with the fruit. Medium bodied, complex, and quite refreshing, the wine culminates in a dry, lengthy finish. My note: I love this style: petrol on the nose but that’s a good thing. Mingled with ripe peach and a deep minerality it makes for a refreshing break from over-oaked everything. Treat yourself and pair it with just about anything. Drink: 2010-2013. 180877 12% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review

Flat Rock The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2008, V.Q.A., Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Buttery and round with a peach core that drives me back to this bottle. Minerality even with the plushness of the Chardonnay. Great effort! 1552 13.50% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 89/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review

Alain Geoffroy Domaine Le Verger Chablis Chardonnay 2008, A.C., Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This multi-award winning Chardonnay (including a Silver at the 2009 Chardonnay du Monde) is in many ways a classic Chablis, with aromas of pear, linden flower, citrus and mineral. Dry, fruity and very fresh, this is a lively wine. My note: Crisp, clean and neutrally flavoured with some mild notes of green apples. Great oak-free aperitif. 181289 12.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 87/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review

Domaine Des Charmilles Sancerre 2008, A.C., Loire, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Domaine de Charmilles is a 10-hectare, family-run property located near the village of Chavignol. Their fascinating Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of several different base wines from different parts of their property. Depending on the vine’s location, they use slightly different vinification techniques to exploit that site's virtues. The result is this gooseberry-, grass- and mineral-scented wonder. Give it a slight chill. My note: Incredibly mouth-watering: demands food! Clean, crisp with white melon, lime and grapefruit notes. Drink: 2010-2013. 182915 12.50% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 88/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review

Becker-Steinhauer Riesling Kabinett 2008, Q.M.P., Veldenzer Kirchberg, Mosel, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: Excellent example of the fine 2008 Mosel vintage, featuring aromas of peach, apple (and apple blossom), fresh tarragon and slate. Off-dry and very richly extracted, it’s an easy-drinking Riesling with the perfect amount of acidity to give it balance. Medium bodied, with a very long finish. My note: Extraordinary balance and packed flavour of ultra-ripe peach and pear. So much to give: give this wine a chance! 161786 9% MD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review

Josef Kollmann Vinum Germania Number One Riesling 2008, Q.B.A., Mosel, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: This pretty, lively wine is a good example of a regional Mosel wine. A brilliant straw colour leads to aromas of fresh apple, apricot, mineral (from the slate soil) and citrus. Many of the aromas echo nicely on the palate. This medium-dry wine is balanced by a nice seam of acidity. A delicious refresher that’s a terrific value! Treat yourself tonight. My note: So pretty! Floral, peach preserves and pear jam. Light-bodied. Love it! 161745 9.50% MD 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 88/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review

Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Riesling 2008, Q.B.A., Mosel, Germany: Vibrant acidity that meets the softening touch of a little sweetness in a wonderfully flavour-packed combination. Ripe peach and pear. Drink: 2011-2018. 733295 10.50% MD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. February 7, 2015 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Anselmann Huxelrebe Auslese 2007, Q.M.P., Pfalz, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: Huxelrebe is a cross of the Chasselas and Courtillier Musqué grapes. This intriguing grape is little known outside of Germany. It is an early-ripener that makes very elegant sweet wines such as this example from Anselmann. Look for rich and fruity aromas and flavours of apricots and passion flower, nicely balanced by racy acidity. This multi-award-winner has very good ageing potential, but can also be enjoyed tonight with an apricot tart or blue cheese. My note: Gorgeous concentration of apricot ad pear preserve yet it doesn’t come off as sweet. Such divinely lovely deep flavours. Get over your hang-ups about wines with a touch of sweetness. Imagine this with glazed ham or sweet potatoes: holy lardy liftin! 681445 11% M 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 92/100. August 21, 2010 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Balthasar Ress Riesling Spätlese 1997, Q.M.P., Hattenheim Nussbrunnen, Rheingau, Germany: Highly aromatic of wild flower and peach preserves. Yes there’s sweetness but it’s balanced nicely with the acidity. 160762 8.50% MS 750 mL  $24.75 Score: 88/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review

Allendorf Terroir Riesling Kabinett 2008, Q.M.P., Winkeler Hasensprung, Rheingau, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: Kabinett wines are made in a light style from perfectly ripened grapes. This Riesling bears a brilliant, deep straw colour, and aromas of grapefruit peel, green apple and peach. These notions are joined on the palate by fresh citrus flavours and a nice hint of minerality. This medium-dry wine has nice balancing acidity, and can be laid down for a few years (3-5+). You don’t have to wait, though – try it tonight. My note: Pear and petrol in a mineral deep white that yield fleshy ripe pear and peach. 160747 10% MD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 89/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review

Louis Guntrum Riesling Kabinett 2008, Q.M.P., Niersteiner Bergkirche, Rheinhessen, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: In Germany’s ongoing attempt to simplify their labels, the QmP (Qualitätswein mit Prädikat) quality designation has been shortened to Prädikatswein. Lots of green apple, grapefruit, white peach and mineral aromas are on hand. Off-dry with a pleasing, youthful spritz that makes it even livelier. This medium-bodied wine is ideal. My note: Ultra yummy with fleshy ripe peach, pear and wild flowers. Good acidity for food. Love it! 160671 9.50% MD 750 mL  $17.75 Score: 90/100. August 21, 2010 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Riff Terra Alpina Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio 2009, I.G.T., Delle Venezie, Alto Adige Trentino, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: As Pinot Grigio becomes more and more popular, winemakers are starting to take it much more seriously. Ideal soil and climate conditions are sought for any new plantings, and yields are being drastically reduced to intensify flavours. Look for green apple, lime and sweet-herb aromas and flavours in this lovely P.G. My note: Classic Pinot Grigio with good white melon and peach flavour. Crisp and refreshing but not wimpy. 66415 12% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 89/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review

Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Herbal, grassy refreshment with mouth-watering acidity for food. 981670 13% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 87/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review

McManis Pinot Grigio 2009, California, United States: A solid Pinot Grigio with the mild, subtle flavours of grapefruit, white melon. Crisp and refreshing. 181453 11.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 88/100. August 21, 2010 Full Review