Susana Balbo Signature Dominio Del Plata Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Susana Balbo is one of Argentina’s best winemakers. She is talented and has great taste. Full-bodied, savory, rich and deep: this wine has it all. Fleshy dark fruit but something more exotic. Love it! Drink: 2011-2015. 79798 14.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. April 2, 2011 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review

Cicchitti Torrontés 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: This is a fine example of Argentina’s signature white grape, Torrontés. Wonderfully aromatic, it offers ripe peach, pear, mineral and lime with a soft nutty note. Off-dry, medium bodied and with a good texture and flavours of orange, peach, lime and mineral. It is also an excellent match for salads featuring sliced apples and oranges. My note: A basket of sun-dappled daisies and crisp white linen dress. Light and lovely… run your bare-feet senses through it. Drink: 2011-2014. 243204 13.50% XD 750 mL  $11.95 Score: 89/100. October 1, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Shiraz Cabernet Petit Verdot 2008, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: A blockbuster blend of 54% Shiraz, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 17% Petit Verdot. Rich and flowing like a velvet river of happiness over your tongue. Full-bodied with layers of blackberry liqueur. Incredible price. Drink: 2011-2016. 684357 14.90% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 90/100. September 17, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Angels Gate Winery Riesling 2009, V.Q.A., Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Classic youthful Riesling aromas of peach, pear, lime, chalk and grapefruit rind. Off-dry at first, then immediately a fresh and racy acidity brings on a welcome wave of dryness. Bright, charming, flavourful wine that will reward 3-5+ years in a cellar. My note: Staggeringly great for the price! How did they do it? Floral with lovely ripe white pear and Asian pear notes. Mouth-watering and divine. Drink: 2011-2015. 160523 11.50% XD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 89/100. October 1, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

13th Street Winery White Palette 2010, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Each variety, including Gewurz, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay all seem to have their moment in the sun here. Aromas of peach, sweet herbs, peapods, spring flowers, grapefruit and exotic spice are on offer. Ever so slightly off-dry, fresh and fruity with good weight. Will also make a fantastic warm-weather sipper. My note: Extremely pretty! Floral with lychee and rose petal aromas. Good acidity and so versatile with food. Medium-bodied. Lovely! Drink: 2011-2015. 207340 12% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. August 6, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Featherstone Winery Black Sheep Riesling 2010, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: So beautiful! This riesling has it all: juicy, peach and lime aromas, balance, complexity, length and lambs. (That was a baaaaah-d joke, I know.) Medium-bodied and packed with flavour. These folks are Riesling Masters: Ka-pow! Drink: 2011-2016. 80234 10% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 92/100. April 16, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Huff Estates Winery Reserve Riesling 2008, V.Q.A., Ontario, Canada: I adore the petrol, mineral aroma/texture here! This is simply amazing Riesling. Some ripe tree fruit but the something extra really is in the forefront. Call it complexity, zip, length. Buy a case. Drink: 2011-2018. 223982 12.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. April 16, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Malivoire Ladybug Cabernet Franc Gamay Rosé 2010, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: One of Canada’s best producers of Rose, if not the best. This lovely wine has it all: alluring field berry aromas, ephemeral lightness and a certain something that makes you come back to the glass again and again. Some kind of wonderful. Drink: 2011-2013. 559088 13% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 90/100. May 14, 2011 Favourite Rosé. Full Review

Montes Limited Selection Leyda Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Leyda Valley, Chile: Rev your lawnmowers, it’s time cut the grass! Limes, chives and lemon dance in the glass. Mouth-watering and refreshing. Drink: 2011-2013. 32060 13.50% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 88/100. August 20, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Concha y Toro Trio Reserva Chardonnay 2009, Casablanca Valley, Chile: This spritely wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Blanc. Peach and lime notes give refreshment while there’s a satisfying underlay of toasty oak. Drink: 2011-2013. 433938 14% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 87/100. September 3, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Luis Felipe Edwards Reserva Merlot 2009, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: 2010 AWC-Vienna International Wine Challenge Gold Medal winner. A wine to match your carnivore’s delight feast. My note: extraordinary and unusual flavour concentration for this price point. Like merlot? You’ll love this one! You’ll want a case. Terrific aromas of mocha, black plums. Drink: 2011-2014. 250340 14% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. September 3, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Aresti Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Curicó Valley, Chile: A terrific lemony sipper that makes a great aperitif or companion to many dishes from seafood to salads. Great acidity and refreshment. A fine companion for grilled fish or just as an afternoon sipper. Amazing price. Drink: 2011-2014. 651760 13% XD 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 89/100. September 17, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Riesling Spätlese 2008, Q.M.P., Bernkasteler Badstube, Mosel, Germany: Love it! The sweetness is pure fruit ripeness not cloying. Pear and pear notes with perfect acidity. Drink: 2011-2014. 727370 8% M 750 mL  $25.75 Score: 92/100. May 14, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Pfeffingen Gewurztraminer Spätlese 2008, Pfalz, Germany: Exotic, enticing and absolutely delicious! Classic gewurz in all its glory: lychee, rose petal and baking spices converge happily. 211417 11.50% S 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. January 8, 2011 Favourite Dessert Wine. Full Review

Pfeffingen Scheurebe Spätlese 2008, Q.M.P., Ungsteiner Herrenberg, Pfalz, Germany: Absolutely stunning! Doesn’t taste as sweet as a spatlese given the concentration of fruit, minerality and mouth-watering acidity. I adore this style of wine. Bring me my glass and I’ll be happy. Drink: 2011-2019. 14837 11% MD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. February 5, 2011 Favourite Dessert Wine. Full Review

Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Herbal and grassy fresh! Very vibrant and live. Mouth-watering notes of lime and grapefruit. I like it. Drink: 2011-2014. 10421 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. March 5, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Quinta Do Noval Late Bottled Finest Reserve Port, D.O.C., Douro, Portugal: Terrific value. Gorgeous layers of dark red fruit, spice and smoke. The perfect after-dinner drink. 956656 20% S 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Favorite Dessert Wine. Full Review

Bellingham Fair Maiden Roussanne Chenin Blanc 2008, W.O., Coastal Region, South Africa: Intriguing hazelnut richness, with baking spices and white peach notes. This is absolutely lovely. Rich but not heavy. Some white flowers and fond goodbyes on the finish. This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2009 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. Enjoy this wine. A blend of Roussanne, chenin blanc, verdelho, grenache blanc, chardonnay and viognier grapes. Drink: 2011-2016. 220020 14.50% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. April 2, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Goats do Roam The Goatfather 2010, W.O., Coastal Region, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: Here’s an offer you can’t refuse. Cheeky Charles Back of Fairview Wines and his ubiquitous goats are at it again with this special family blend featuring the Italian varieties Sangiovese and Barbera, as well as international superstar Cabernet Sauvignon. You won’t fuhgeddaboudit. My note: Terrific vibrant peppery red and black berries. Alive and looking for a friendly fight. Full-bodied and smooth. You can’t beat the price. Love the sense of humour. Drink: 2011-2014. 11072 14.60% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. October 1, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2009, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: The 2009 Ancient Vines Zinfandel is awash in raspberry, blackberry, white pepper and spice notes, along with complexity-building coffee and chocolate characteristics. Aged in new and seasoned American oak, imbuing this wine with a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the focused fruit notes. My note: Zinmasters! These folks know how to make zinfandel blind-folded. Classic aromas of blackberry and blueberry. Full-bodied and smooth. Drink: 2011-2016. 719211 15% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 92/100. April 2, 2011 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review