Sheila’s Pick: Miguel Torres, Manso de Valasco's 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - Curico Valley, Chile

The vines on which these grapes were grown are over 100 years old – meaning that they produce limited yields and grapes of great intensity. They are hand-picked and the wine is aged for 18 months in 70% new French oak.

Deep in colour, with incredible concentration of black current and mint flavours, this smooth wine is typical of Cab Sauv and very well made. Miguel Torres described the nose as “Pacific scent” at this year’s Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival.

It’s delicious now, but worthy of a place in your cellar.

ion>, located in northwest Spain. It’s goes great with seafood.

May 25, 2011 at 3:35 PM

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Pierre’s Pick: Lo Piot's 2003 Cab Sauv/Grenache - Priorat DOQ, Spain

Full, smooth, spicy, round tannins, fruity, meaty, smoky – this wine delivers it all with class. It’ll give you something to think about as the finish lingers on and on.

The Priorat region in Spain is home to some of the country’s most prestigious wines. They are concentrated and full of character due to the harsh land which naturally produces low yields.

Allow it some time to breathe before enjoying. It’s also a fine candidate for your cellar.

May 20, 2011 at 3:39 PM

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Pierre’s Pick: Dog Point Vineyard 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand

When a trusted chef recommended this wine to accompany a scallop dish, I knew it I couldn’t say no. And saying yes sure has its benefits – I got to know this delicious wine. It is fresh with intensely concentrated aromas of tropical fruits infused with ripe citrus notes and hints of lemongrass. The palate has an excellent texture, with fine acidity, a degree of minerality and a lasting, refreshingly crisp finish. Any seafood dish, white meats, salads and mild cheeses would pair well with this versatile food wine.

May 20, 2011 at 3:31 PM

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Sandy’s Pick: Gonzales Bypass N/V Nutty Solera Oloroso - Jerez, Spain

It’s amber with a copper hue and has delicious aromas of orange, almond paste, nuts, spice and burnt toffee. On the palate it is medium dry, and fortified to 20% alcohol.

The big flavour and delightful sweet, but not cloying, character of this wine land it on the ‘best value’ wine lists year after year. Remember: alcoholic beverages at 20% hit your blood stream the quickest, making this the perfect drink after a tough day. It’s worth getting to know as an after work sipper or after dinner with nuts and a cheese plate.

May 15, 2011 at 3:49 PM

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Mike’s Pick: M.Chapoutier's 2008 Bila Haut - Côtes du Roussillon, France

This is a great deal for a fan of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan blends like those from the Côtes du Rhône. The unique ‘garrigue’ landscape in the Roussillon, where only vines and herbs can thrive, gives a unique flavour to fruit.

This is a great choice if you are going as a guest to dinner and you don’t know what the host is cooking. It’s medium bodied and friendly with a wide variety of menu options.

May 8, 2011 at 3:51 PM

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Paul’s Pick: Martin Codax's 2009 Albariño - Rías Baixas DO, Spain

This wine has been referred to as a cross between Riesling and Heaven. It’s crisp and refreshing, like biting into a ripe, juicy apple. It has beautiful acidity that wakes up your palate so it may enjoy the aromatic and concentrated fruit flavours.

Rías Baixas [ree-ahs buy-shuss] Albariño [al-baa-ree-nyo] may be hard to say, but it’s worth figuring it out to enjoy the lovely wine! Rías Baixas is a region in Galicia, located in northwest Spain. It’s goes great with seafood.

May 3, 2011 at 3:53 PM

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