August 9th: Highly Recommended Fortified Wines and Spirits


904250 The Macallan 1841 Replica Highland Single Malt, Scotland $248.45: if it's scotch ya want lads and lassies, thistle do ya... gorgeous peaty and heathery aromas. 93


487108 Barrens Blend Exotique Blueberry Wine, Newfoundland $11.80: love the taste of blueberries, especially ripe ones? This is a marvelous fruit wine that would be perfect with ice cream or on its own. 86


987313 Ice Apple Magnotta, Ontario $15.90: fantastic apple essence, fresher than cider with cinnamon and nutmeg aromas. 90


703066 Manzanilla San Leon Herederos de Argueso, Spain $11.95: a dry sherry that is an acquired taste, but once you acquire it, you'll never lose it -- exquisite with walnuts and blue cheeses. 85


142703 Gran Cruz 10-year-old Tawny Port, Portugal $27.95: buy good tawny port whenever you can, it doesn't come out often enough and has such alluring caramel, maple and almond aromas. 90


August 9th: Highly Recommended White Wines


467704 Strewn Riesling 1997, Niagara $12.95: terrific value, easy drinking dry riesling, nice petrol nose. 84


324772 Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Chardonnay 2001, Hunter Valley, Australia $25.45: spicy with interesting tropical fruit aromas. 88


727024 Te Kairanga Chardonnay 2001, Martinborough, New Zealand $23.95: hedonistic chardonnay at its best, this is no bottled blond -- a chardonnay with brains! spicy, balanced and luscious. 92 My Favourite White Wine


734095 Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2002, Marlborough, New Zealand $15.95: pure NZ SB -- grassy, herby, zesty. 90


724898 Saxenburg Sauvignon Blanc Private Collection, Stellenbosch, South Africa $15.95: very assertive acidity but balanced with herbal character. 86


945527 Domaine des Aubuisieres Vouvray Le Marigny 2001, Loire, France $19.95: exotic, good acidity for food, no oak, Old World style, crème brulee and pear nose. 88


728600 Domaine de la Baume Sauvignon Blanc 2002, Midi, France $11.55: fantastic value, simple herbal, zesty wine Old World style. 83


487272 Domaine des Salices Viognier 2002, Midi, France $11.50: ready for a new white? try this dandy little wine with lychee and citrus. 84


728030 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2001, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer $15.90: German whites are among the most under-priced and delicious food wines on the market... this one is pleasant with a touch of sweetness and good balancing acidity. 86


905125 Weingut Schloss Schonborn Riesling Kabinett 1990, Rheingau, Germany $11.95: an astounding value, lovely white, easy sipper, slightly sweet (this is a good thing). 88 Best Value White Wine


901280 Weingut Hans Lang Riesling Spatlese 2001, Rheingau, Germany $23.95: peaches, pears and other tree fruit with a gorgeous mineral undertone (did I just say undertone?) 90


953703 Az Agri. Spinetta/Rivetti Moscato d'Asti Bricco Quaglia 2002, Piedmont, Italy $16.95: if you haven't tried moscato d'asti before, you're in for a treat -- a lightly effervescent wine with some sweetness, it's lovely after dinner


August 9th: Highly Recommended Red Wines


740100 Talomas Robert Mondavi/Rosemount Estate Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2000, California $25.80: lovely rich ripe wine yet mellow. 88


740126 Bushvine Kirralaa Shiraz Robert Mondavi/Rosemount Estate 2001, Australia $24.50: concentrated opulence with ripe red fruit and black pepper. 90


901041 Peninsula Ridge Cabernet Franc Icewine 2001, Ontario $54.95: weird but great -- weird because I associate white grapes with icewine, but this actually works, with rich ripe red fruit and that icewine sweetness 90


586297 Inniskillin Cabernet Sauvignon Klose Vineyard 1999, Ontario $24.95: smooth with Old World restraint and finesse, balanced with cassis and dark fruit. 87


268391 Henry of Pelham Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2000, Ontario $18.95: I love a dirty old pinot -- Old World style with barnyard and cherries and fantastic acidity for food. 90


555615 E&J Gallo Barrelli Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1999, Alexander Valley, California $38: gorgeous but get it now because Gallo is pricing upwards steadily (Gina, Gina, Gina please have pity) 90


219162 Sebastiani Merlot 1998, Sonoma, California $24.95: silky wine with ripe dark fruit. 88


740035 Blackstone Syrah 2000, California $19.95: stunning depth -- chocolate, rich berries and plumy depths. 92


733758 Cline Cellars Syrah 2000, California $17.95: year after year, a great wine, and bless their restraint with the price. 89


978700 Stanley Brothers Thoroughbred Cabernet Sauvignon 1999, Barossa Valley, Australia $25.50: very balanced, great fruit but not heavy, Old World finesse. 87


740043 Ballandean Estate Black Label Shiraz 2000, Queensland, Australia $21.95: gorgeous wine at a great price... deep concentration and ripe fruit, some mint and a long finish. 90


731893 Penley Estate Shiraz/Cabernet 1999, Coonawarra, South Australia $29.95: if you want big fruit, alcohol, colour (in other words, heavily extracted), this is your club. Parker gave it 90, I'll go for 87.


607796 Graham Beck Coastal Cellar Shiraz 2001, Coastal Region, South Africa $18.55: one of the country's better producers -- and shiraz will be the wine they're known for in a few years.... ripe and delicious. 86


903526 Chateau Beaumont 2000, Bordeaux, France $25.90: a cru bourgeois from that spectacular vintage, delicious, Old World bitter finish that's pleasant, ripe fruit, a deal. 87


979567 Chateau de Plassan 2000, Bordeaux, France $18.55: touch tannic, will age 2-3 years, tar and cassis


942730 Chateau Palmer 2000, Bordeaux, France $289: magnificent, pricey but when you want to celebrate turn to this wine, needs at least 5 years aging, don't rob the oak cradle early. 99 Best Red Wine


627901 Terre de Vino La Luna e I Falo Barbera d'Asti 2000, Piedmont, Italy $17.55: lovely and juicy ripe. 89


726679 Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita Classico Special Reserve 1995, Portugal $23.50: juicy cherries and a touch of cassis. 88


930610 Bright Brothers Cartaxo Reserva 1998, Portugal $12.95: fantastic value with plums and other dark red fruit, like shiraz but as heavy. 86 Best Value Red Wine


991331 Chapoutier Tavel Rose 2002, Rhone Valley, France $16.95: I know I don't recommend enough roses but here's a lovely one to serve lightly chilled with some cold chicken and pate down by the river, as we sit on a blanket....