Please read on for some of our summertime wine picks and enjoy the season!

BEAUVIGNAC VIOGNIER 2008
VINTAGES 525295 | $14.95 | Southern France
This is juicy, mouth-filling goodness with aromas and flavours of peach, apricot, honey, lime, and floral notes.  Pair it up with grilled crab legs with chili-lime butter, smoked scallops with mango salsa, or simple grilled shrimp skewers.

ST. HALLETT SEMILLON/SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008
VINTAGES 57687 | $14.95 | South Australia
This is a classic white Bordeaux blend, but the Aussies do it up in their own style with a mouth-watering, fruit-forward punch.  The Sauvignon Blanc adds zesty, citrusy acidity, while the Semillon balances it with softer nectarine and pineapple flavours, along with a medium-full body.  Pair it up with grilled freshwater fish or seafood done simply with lemon and herbs.

LEIRA ALBARIÑO 2007
VINTAGES 115816 | $18.95 | Rias Baixas, Spain
This wine was made for seafood – a perfect balance of ripe fruit flavours like citrus and pear with mouth-filling texture and refreshing acidity.  A great pairing for a fresh summer salad topped with grilled seafood, as well as any manner of tapas off the grill.

PLANETA ROSÉ 2008
VINTAGES 111856 | $16.95 | Sicily, Italy
Made from 100% Syrah grapes, this rosé is summertime in a bottle – fruity and juicy but also crisp and refreshing, this wine is bursting with ripe strawberry and raspberry with just a touch of spice.  Pair with a grilled asian beef salad with ginger and chilies, cedar-planked arctic char, bbq chicken wings, or smoked pulled pork on a bun.

LE BARON RANCH THREE SISTERS ZINFANDEL 2006                                                                       
VINTAGES 119966 | $22.95 | Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
Zinfandel is California’s signature grape.  This one could prove to be your favourite bbq wine of the season – medium to full in body and bursting with juicy, ripe, mouth-filling flavours of plum, blueberry, toasty vanilla, and smoke.  It’s crowd-pleasing and food friendly with enough acidity to balance out the juicy, jammy fruit. An excellent pairing for bbq meats of any kind, especially spicy, saucy back ribs or homemade sausages from The Piggy Market (www.thepiggymarket.com).

PARÉS BALTÀ MAS PETIT GARNATXA/CABERNET 2006
VINTAGES 114264 | $14.95 | Penedes, Spain
We’ve had the good fortune of visiting this winery, run by a group of amazing people who look after their land sustainably in order to produce the quality organic fruit used to make these wines.  They even have a full-time beekeeper and shepherd to manage the bees and the sheep who help them with vineyard management.  Garnatxa is Catalan for Grenache, and it provides intense, juicy fruit flavours and a supple mouthfeel that make this wine perfect for grilled red meats like beef, lamb, or game.  Try it with some elk from our local Elk Ranch in Kanata (www.elkranch.com).

Looking for ways to entertain friends, colleagues or clients this summer? Contact us for a few ideas.