
My top picks and best value wines from the July 23 Vintages Release:
Full-bodied, deep and delicious Italian red wines: Barolo, Brunello, Amarone
Cool-climate, generously layered Chardonnay: Tasmania, Niagara, Italy, France
Zesty, herbal, food-friendly New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Blackberry-rich Cabernet and Shiraz from Australia
Smooth and luscious Niagara Merlot
Rhone and Okanagan Syrah
You can get all 74 wines that I’ve recommended from a wide range of price points, scores, food pairings, regions and styles, including red, white, sparkling, rose and dessert wine.
Make sure you pick some back-up choices from the full list in case some of these below are sold out.
You can also put my Top Picks including the best value and top rated wines into your custom shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon. Load up on some terrific bottles this weekend!
Natalie
2009 Lingenfelder Bird Label Riesling, Q.B.A., Pfalz, Germany
I recommend this wine year after year after year: love it! Incredible quality/taste for the price. Loaded with peach and pear fruit. Terrific mouth-watering acidity for so many dishes. Buy a case or two for your house white wine.Drink: 2010-2014.
Price: $13.95
Score: 89/100
Pair with: lightly spiced Thai, Indian cuisine.
Add Lingenfelder Bird Label Riesling, Q.B.A., Pfalz: to your custom shopping list. |  |
2008 Steve Bird Winery & Vineyards Old Schoolhouse Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
Terrific lime-zestiness in this citrus-herbal Sauvignon Blanc. Refreshing and zippy: class New Zealand style. Top me up!Drink: 2010-2012.
Price: $16.95
Score: 90/100
Pair with: seafood salads, goat cheese with fresh baguette, poached salmon.
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2008 Steve Bird Big Barrel Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand
Wonderfully vibrant with bright cherries that dance across your mouth followed by lovely silky layers of baking spices, field berries and a little smoke. A core of plush fruit. Medium- to full-bodied and generous. Love this style! Drink: 2010-2013.
Price: $26.95
Score: 91/100
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2009 Hardys Butcher's Gold Shiraz Sangiovese, South Australia, Australia
A terrific, full-bodied red with mouth-watering savoury notes that make it extra food-friendly, especially with hearty dishes and tomato sauces. A black-cherry-infused finish. Gets my vote! Drink: 2-11-2014.
Price: $14.95
Score: 88/100
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2008 Brave Faces Shiraz Grenache Mataro,Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Espresso-mocha nose from generous oaking followed by blackberry and plush plums. Full-bodied and luscious. Drink: Now
$24.95
Score: 90/100
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2008 Mark West Pinot Noir, California
A juicy wine with lovely sour cherry aromas and some baking spices. Supple texture. Medium body. Drink while watching that classic movie Sideways again.
$19.95
Score: 88/100
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200 Ironstone Obsession Symphony, California
So, so lovely! Floral with dry apricot. No wonder people get obsessed with this wine. And the price is incredible. Imagine drinking this lovely little number with a spicy dish. Heaven. Drink: 2011-2014.
$14.95
Score: 88/100
Pair with: curry, spicy finger food.
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2009 Megalomaniac Wines Narcissist, Edra's Vineyard, John Howard Cellars Of Distinction Riesling, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Juicy-terrific! Lovely melon and peach fruit unfold in waves of flavour. Love this style. Slightly off-dry so it is incredibly food-friendly and light-bodied. Drink: 2011-2015.
$17.95
Score: 89/100
Pair with: chicken salad, crab salad, shellfish.
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2009 Union Wines Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Gewurztraminer Chardonnay, V.Q.A., Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Pretty floral and white peach notes on the nose of this refreshing, vibrant white wine. Makes a terrific aperitif as well as an accompaniment to many dishes. Drink: 2010-2013.
$13.95
Score: 86/100
Pair with: fusion foods, seafood salads, spicy tapas, grilled chicken.
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2009 Robert Oatley Vineyards James Oatley Tic Tok Cabernet Sauvignon, Mudgee & Frankland River, Australia
Lovely nose of dark, fleshy blackberries, smoke and a hint of mint. Good, balanced acidity for food. Smooth and full-bodied. Drink: 2011-2014.
$15.95
Score: 88/100
Pair with: pasta with tomato sauce, sauces with mushrooms, BBQ beef, stews, braised meats and poultry, salami.
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