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Top 10 Wines for +30 Degree Heat

Natalie MacLean

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Grant Burge Summers Chardonnay 2010, Barossa Valley, Australia: Love the hazelnut richness and green apple vibrancy that mingle on the nose of this wine! The palate is a rush of white peach, nectarine and nutmeg with refreshing lime acidity on the finish. I love the back story on this wine: it was named in honour of the winery's accountant of 30 years, Miles Summers. His sun will never set with this wine. Drink: 2012-2014. 269829 12% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. April 12, 2012 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
G. Marquis Vineyards The Red Line Riesling 2010, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Very mild and light-bodied with soft acidity. Pleasant notes of lime blossom and sun-dapped red apples. Lovely aperitif on the deck or dock. Drink: 2011-2014. 274670 12.80% D 750 mL  $11.95 Score: 87/100. June 22, 2012 Full Review
Malivoire Wine Company Musqué Spritz Chardonnay 2011, V.Q.A., Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: If you like moscato d'asti, you'll love this! Honeysuckle and orange blossom aromas and sweetness but not cloying. The spritz is refreshing. Why make you're a spritzer when you can just pour this on a hot summer's day? Drink: 2012-2014. 189670 9% M 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. July 7, 2012 Full Review
Megalomaniac Wines Coldhearted John Howard Cellars Of Distinction Riesling Icewine 2007, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine won a Gold Medal at Intervin 2009. Pear, honey, spice and sweet citrus aromas and flavours, complemented by a bright, balancing acidity. So delicious that it would be truly coldhearted not to share. This is a perfect evening sipper, or adds a delectable touch to the finale of a meal. My note: Honey drizzled pear and peach with a sweet surrender on the finish. Drink: 2011-2017. 243519 8% S 200 mL  $28.95 Score: 91/100. October 1, 2011 Full Review
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand: Zesty refreshment with limes and grapefruit. A cool breeze on a hot day. A consistently good producer year after year. A lively citrus finish. Lovely! Drink: 2012-2014. 316570 11% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 89/100. January 3, 2012 Splendid Salad Wine Full Review
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates 14 Hands Hot to Trot Red Blend Hot to Trot 14 Hands Vineyards Columbia Valley 2009, Washington, United States: Dynamite for the price! Simply wow. Smooth, full-bodied and packed with luscious dark plum and blackberry aromas. This wine takes its name from the time when wild mustang horses ran freely around the hills of eastern Washington State where this wine is made. Drink: 2010-2014. 226522 13.50% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. January 3, 2012 Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Mer Soleil Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2009, 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. 958975 14.50% XD 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 92/100. January 21, 2012 Top Rated White Wine. Full Review
Toasted Head Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, North Coast, California, United States: Mocha-coffee goodness wraps around black fruit and smoke. Full-bodied and smooth with a nice grip. Decants for a 1 hour. Drink: 2012-2015. 686824 13.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. July 7, 2012 Full Review
Wind Gap Castelli-Knight Ranch Syrah 2007, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: Intensely concentrated with a core of blackberry and black cherry liqueur. Great balance even though this is a towering big wine. Bring it on and fire up the barbecue. Drink: 2012-2016. 242776 13.50% XD 750 mL  $69.00 Score: 91/100. June 23, 2012 Full Review

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