These are wines widely available in liquor stores, and they represent tremendous value. I’ve categorized them to keep it simple. The prices listed are in Canadian dollars, and based on those at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. I’ve also included the LCBO’s product numbers. Most of the wines that are available only from the winery will ship to your home, so I’ve noted the phone number so you can call to find out. Look for more wine recommendations under my monthly release notes on the Wine Picks homepage. Periodically, I will add new wines to this list as I discover them. If you have a wine to suggest, please let me know at [email protected]. Also let me know if you’ve noticed a change with those listed here, such as a change in price or availability. Enjoy!


Highly Recommended White Wines


637611 Pinot Grigio 2002 Trentino, Italy $9.60: a simple but mouth-watering sipper with citrus notes. Great with cream dishes and seafood. 83 Best Value White Wine


527713 Stonleigh Riesling 2001, Marlborough, New Zealand $11.95: lots of juicy acidity also makes this a great food wine. 83


522730 Strewn Barrel Aged Chardonnay 1998, Niagara $12.45: a lightly oaked chard, with a pleasant smoky, spicy aroma. Medium body. 84


276436 William Fevre Chablis 2002, Burgundy, France $18.75: a crisp chardonnay with grapefruit and herbal notes, no oak. Another one for cream and seafood dishes. 83


377770 Quail's Gate Chardonnay 2001, Okanagan, BC $14.45: lovely, balanced wine with peach, melon and pineapple aromas. Full-bodied. Yum. 88 Favourite White Wine


532184 St. Hallet's Poacher's Blend Semillon/Riesling 2002, Australia $12.60: a zippy wine that needs yet more cream dishes. Kidding, this could go with loads of dishes, like tomato sauce and pasta. (Really, I'm not trying to recommend only coronary specials.) 84


348342 Beringers Chardonnay 2000, Napa Valley $27.90: pricey but worth it, nicely oaked with a buttery, full-bodied mouth-feel. 86


Highly Recommended Red Wines


616284 Fontanafredda "Ermo" Barbera/Nebbiolo Langhe 1999, Italy $11.95: juicy, some chocolate notes (but it's not a sweet wine), smooth as velvet. Amazing value. 86


532812 Yarden Galilee Cabernet Sauvignon 1999, Isreal $32.45: One of Isreal's best producers, this kosher wine has a gorgeous rich, full-bodied ripeness with dark fruit and a lovely texture. 87


124594 Amity Vineyards Pinot Noir, Oregon $16.95: One of Oregon's best producers, this velvety wine is full of ripe cherries and red plums. Would good well with chicken and pasta dishes. 86


598987 Mount Athos Tsantali Grenache-Limnio 2000, Greece $9.25: you can't beat the price and it's a delicious, smooth, medium-bodied wine that will appeal to most palates. Great for large group gatherings. 87 Best Value Red Wine


353318 Stonechurch Cabernet Sauvignon 2000, Niagara $9.95: a lovely, medium-bodied red with dark plums and cherries. 84


470120 Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2000, Asutralia $24.95: WB has gone upscale with great results... this is a stunning wine: ripe, full-bodied, delicious. 90 Favourite Red Wine


390872 Wolf Blass Brown Label Classic Shiraz 2000, Australia $24.95: another strong entry for WB, smooth, ripe, easy-drinking. 86


544338 Normans Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Australia $14.60: ripe, smooth, delicious red that has nothing to do with the golfer Greg (even though The Shark does in fact have his own wine.) 83


554170 Santa Helna Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2001, Chile $13.95: Chile has long produced great values, the trick is finding wines of some complexity and depth -- this one has both. 84