And the Winner is...

A listing of all 107 bottles selected in our fourth annual international wine competition.

To check product availability in BC Liquor Stores, click here. Note: This symbol * indicates a restricted listing (bottles that are only available from private wine stores and winery shops).

BEST IN SHOW

Pasqua Sagramoso Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2004.
Italy $21.99 +602342
Click here for details.

SPARKLING WINE

Best of Category:
Wolf Blass Gold Label Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay 2003
Australia $19.99 +218578
Exuberant full-on Aussie bubble. Twenty-four months of yeast contact gives depth and complexity to the Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blend.

Bottega Petalo Vino del Amore Moscazo
Italy $17.99 +580993
Sensational rose petal flavour.

Graham Beck Brut
South Africa $24.99 +607747
Lavish South African sparkler with barrel-fermented complexity.

Lanson Black Label Brut
France $52.99 +41889
World’s greatest Champagne bargain?

Lanson Brut Rose
France $59.99 +172130
Stunning expression of Pinot Noir.

Laurent-Perrier Brut LP 2005
France $60.99 +1834
As stylish and elegant as ever. Less is definitely more.

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige
USA $26.19 +265678
Breezy, sophisticated, refreshing.

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose
France $63.99 +80184
Enchanting, delicate, wild strawberry aroma.

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva
Spain $15.99 +158493
Crisp, lively bubble with satisfying yeasty depth.

Sumac Ridge Steller’s Jay Brut 2003
B.C. $25 +264879
A perennial winner: B.C.’s first undisputed classic.

Valdo Prosecco
Italy $19.99 +550111
Frothy, light as a feather—a perfect aperitif.

Yellowglen Pink
Australia $12.99 +89268
Snazzy price-is-right pink fizz.

LIGHT WHITE

Best of Category: Anakena Single Vineyard Viognier 2006
Chile $17.50 +329755
Viognier is supposed to be aromatic, but this is off the charts.

Barefoot Pinot Grigio
USA $9.99 +921304
Juicy, gulpable California Grigio. A lot of wine for the money.

Clay Station Viognier 2006
USA $19.98 +106401
Tropical to the max—full of exotic fruits and flowers.

Dr. Loosen Riesling Dr. L 2006
Germany $17.98 +599274
Awesome flinty Riesling from Mosel superstar Ernie Loosen.

Hardys Stamp Series Riesling Traminer 2006
Australia $9.99 +448548
Massive flavour for just 10 bucks.

Henry’s Drive Pillar Box White 2006
Australia $19.99 +871517
Lovely new wave Aussie screwtop white blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and Verdelho

Hungerford Hill Fishcage Chardonnay Viognier 2005
Australia $16.99 +204255*
Clean, cool, food-friendly screwtop Aussie.

Loimer Lois Gruner Veltliner 2006
Austria $17.99 +439059
Live-wire version of ultra-trendy Austrian specialty.

Moselland Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Kabinett 2006
Germany $13.49 +288670
Pure Riesling fruit with perfect zap of acid.

St. Urbans-Hof Riesling QbA 2006
Germany $19.99 +597997
Delightful peach and apricot fruitiness.

Wild Goose Gewürztraminer 2006
B.C. $18.95 +414748*
B.C. Gewürz par excellence.

MEDIUM WHITE

Best of Category: Shepherds Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2007
New Zealand $19.99 +494641
It’s hard to imagine a purer expression of Marlborough Sauvignon. Bursting with fresh gooseberry and grapefruit rind aromas; bracing acidity balances ripe fruit.

Adobe Chardonnay 2005
Chile $13.99 +97527 ORGANIC
Lovely, mellow, creamy Chard at killer price.

Brancott Sauvignon Blanc 2006
New Zealand $17.49 +129528
A rich Sauvignon style with intense tropical flavours.

Cantine Belisario di Matelica Verdicchio di Matelica Vigneti del Cerro 2006
Italy $17.99 +64675
Exemplary Old World white with lovely almond aroma and flavour.

Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Chile $12.98 +578641
Crisp Sauvignon with thrilling currant fruit notes.

Feudo Arancio Grillo 2005
Italy $15.99 +190405
Astonishing, bright orange-scented white from hot climate Sicily.

Louis Jadot Saint-Veran 2005
France $26.99 +590661
Serious Burgundy combines floral delicacy and mineral backbone.

Peter Lehmann Barossa Semillon 2005
Australia $15.99 +572412
Old-school Aussie—heaps of rich, ripe flavour.

Quails’ Gate Limited Release Chardonnay 2005
B.C. $18.99 +377770
Super-refined, cool climate Chardonnay.

Raimat Albarino Chardonnay 2005
Spain $12.99 +255604
Thrilling state-of-the-art Spanish white.

Rocca delle Macìe Occhio A Vento Vermentino 2006
Italy $18.99 +93773
As Mediterranean as it gets—screams for linguine con le vongole.

See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Gris 2006
B.C. $19.99 +75739
Big, bold Pinot Gris combines peach, spice, and vanilla flavours.

Tohu Sauvignon Blanc 2006
New Zealand $22.99 +1131
Classic crisp, herbaceous Sauvignon from NZ’s first Maori winery.

Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise 2007
Australia $16.99 +19372
Delicious, super-aromatic Aussie blend of Sauvignon, Semillon,
and Viognier.

RICH WHITE

Best of Category: St. Hallett Poacher’s Blend 2007
Australia $12.99 +535963
This is amazingly complex for the price. An audacious blend of Semillon, Sauvignon, and Riesling with honey, lemon, herbal, and passionfruit aromas.

Argiolas Selegas Nuragus di Cagliari 2006
Italy $19.99 +457929
Honeyed, flowery, exotic Sardinian white with pleasing lemony finish.

CedarCreek Platinum Reserve Chardonnay 2005
B.C. $29.99 +607218
Sensational B.C. Chard—toasty, nutty, buttery, peach, and apple flavours.

Conundrum California White 2005
USA $33.99 +390831
Epic outside-the-box blend—full of surprises.

Folie à Deux Ménage à Trois White 2006
USA $17.99 +360875
Ingenious blend of Muscat, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay works perfectly.

Gloria Ferrer Carneros Chardonnay 2004
USA $34.99 +109*
Spicy-nutty, apple-citrus compexity. A stunning Chardonnay.

Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2005
Chile $26.95 +390203
Classy, mouthfilling Chard with superb clove and nutmeg nuances.

Artisan SakeMaker at Granville Island Osake Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu 2007
B.C. $24.90 +488932*
Vancouver’s very own handcrafted sake. Unfiltered, fresh, pure, and complex.

Petaluma Chardonnay 2004
Australia $35.99 +117366
Benchmark Aussie Chardonnay for 30 years—and better than ever.

Saintsbury Carneros Chardonnay 2005
USA $35.99 +359281
Definitive cool-climate Chard from Carneros.

Wente Chardonnay Livermore 2005
USA $17.99 +175430
Great value from California’s pioneer Chardonnay producer.

ROSÉ

Best of Category: Marqués de Cáceres Rosado 2006
Spain $14.99 +361188
As pleasing to drink as it is to look at, this is a supreme example of everything rosé can be.

Joie Rosé 2006
B.C. $20.90 +511469*
Bracing Okanagan rosé from tiny Naramata winery.

Thornhaven Divino 2006
B.C. $14.90 +806406
Superb raspberry and cherry flavours, and plenty of body.

LIGHT RED

Best of Category: Beringer Founders’ Estate Merlot 2004
USA $19.99 +534255
The perfect post-Sideways Merlot: fragrant and full of fruit.
And it has a very silky, Pinot-like texture.

Barahonda Monastrell 2004
Spain $15.99 +438713*
Striking, vibrant, full of black cherry flavour.

Borsao Joven Seleccion 2005
Spain $14.99 +314617
A supple wine packed with juicy berry fruit.

Campo Viejo Crianza 2003
Spain $17.08 +190629
Light and lively, very easy-drinking.

Chateau La Couranconne Gratitude 2005
France $23.95 +840801
Sweet-scented, “honey and stones,” South of France red.

Chateau de Valcombe Costieres de Nimes 2005
France $12.99 +857243
A charming, well-orchestrated blend of Syrah and Grenache.

De Bortoli Deen Vat 4 Petit Verdot 2005
Australia $17.99 +80358
This is a sleek, stylish, Claret-like Australian red.

Deangelis Rosso Piceno 2005
Italy $14.90 +632141
Lovely, leathery red with hints of plum.

Domaine de la Grand’Ribe Organic Cuvee 2004
France $19.95 +279422
Savoury, earthy, countryside red.

Donatella Cinelli Colombini Leone Rosso 2004
Italy $24.99 +46086
Consistently fine Tuscan red.

Espelt Saulo 2005
Spain $14.99 +151332
Raspberry scented, earthy Mediterranean red.

Funky Llama Shiraz 2006
Argentina $9.99 +493734
Smooth Argentinian Shiraz with loads of brambly fruit. Killer value.

Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2003
Spain $21.99 +345108
Traditonal Rioja at its best.

Mt. Boucherie Summit Reserve Pinot Noir 2005
B.C. $18.90 +643437*
Full-flavoured Okanagan Pinot.

Paul Boutinot Chat-en-Oeuf 2005
France $13.99 +540765
Cheeky, stylish French red.

Santa Maria La Palma Le Bombarde Cannonau 2005
Italy $15.99 +571323
Great value Grenache from Sardinia.

See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Noir 2005
B.C. $22.99 +75267
Earthy, autumnal B.C. red.

Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2005
New Zealand $20.99 +610857
Vibrant NZ Pinot.

Vina Morande Reserva Pinot Noir 2006
Chile $17.99 +274928
Lovely, supple, velvety Pinot.

MEDIUM RED

Best of Category:
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2006
Chile $13.98 +153270
A shining example of Chile’s signature grape: spicy and fruity.
A perfect cross between Merlot and Cab Franc.

Antinori Tenute Marchese Chianti Classico 2001
Italy $46.99 +575845
Eminently stylish Tuscan classic.

Bleasdale Langhorne Crossing 2004
Australia $12.49 +151407
Smooth, satisfying, and beautifully balanced. A very versatile red.

Bodegas Piqueras Marques de Rojas 2006
Spain $9.99 +317008
Rustic, old-fashioned, and a steal at $9.99!

Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2006
Chile $12.99 +257329
Pure berry fruit, herbal notes, and gravelly earthiness. Very Chilean.

Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Chile $13.98 +278416
Herbal aromas and concentrated blackcurrant fruit.

De Bortoli dB Selection Petite Sirah 2006
Australia $11.99 +336750
This is delicious—all berries, smoke, and spice. Perfect barbie wine.

Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni 2005
Italy $26.99 +380824
Aristocratic Old World red.

Lindemans Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005
Australia $14.99 +614610
Wonderful structure, and real Coonawarra character. Great value at $14.99.

Quails’ Gate Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2005
B.C. $39.99 +639658
Refined cool-climate Pinot Noir.

Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2005
Italy $27.99 +3962
Classic sangiovese plum-and-tobacco flavours.

Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc 2004
B.C. $16.99 +530717
Bold, earthy, leafy expression of B.C. Cab Franc.

Trivento Amado Sur 2006
Argentina $14.99 +568238
Nifty Argentinian blend: plummy Malbec beefed up with Syrah and Bonarda.

Tormaresca Paiara Rosso 2005
Italy $11.99 +378182
Astonishing value from the South of Italy. Ripe and fruity.

Velenosi Il Brecciarolo Rosso Piceno Superiore 2003
Italy $16.99 +98319
Lively red from Italy’s Adriatic coast.

Viña Garcés Silva Amayna Pinot Noir
Chile $38.95 +298869*
Silky-textured, berry flavoured Pinot. Gorgeous.

Viu Manent Malbec 2006
Chile $12.99 +287326
Malbec crosses the Andes with stunning results.

RICH RED

Best of Category:
Pasqua Sagramoso Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2004
Italy $21.99 +602342
Best In Show. Click here for details.

Castell de Remei Gotim Bru 2004
Spain $24.99 +134668
Classic Spanish red, with sweet aromas of oak, vanilla, and plum.

CedarCreek Estate Select Syrah 2005
B.C. $34.99 +417949
Elegant, complex, balanced wine with pronounced peppery spiciness.

Di Majo Norante Contado Aglianico 2003
Italy $23.99 +535732
Ancient grape with intriguing aromas of plums, tobacco, earth, and leather.

Feudo Arancio Syrah 2004
Italy $15.99 +901835
Plenty of Mediterranean ripeness, but plenty of freshness too:
perfect for Arrabbiata.

Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Zinfandel 2005
B.C. $29.99 +584433*
The OK’s first Zin is the real deal: peppery, leathery, and brambly.

Jackson-Triggs Proprietors’ Reserve Shiraz 2005
B.C. $19.99 +593103
One of B.C.’s most celebrated wines, full of blackberries, coffee, and chocolate.

Laurel Glen Reds 2004
USA $19.99 +428938
Old-time California at its best: tons of deep ripe mellow old-vine Zin flavours.

Le Vieux Pin Epoque Merlot 2005
B.C. $45 +910380*
Intensely concentrated, deadly serious blockbuster from the South Okanagan.

NK’Mip Qwam Qwmt Meritage 2005
B.C. $29.99 +985697*
Classic dusty/herbal/smoky aromas of the South Okanagan.

Peter Lehmann Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Australia $24.99 +605741
Classic full-bodied Barossa Cab with telltale minty/herbal/smoky notes.

Rebel Wine Company The Show Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
USA $18.99 +374686
New wave take on California cult wine—for 19 bucks!

Rosemount Show Reserve Shiraz 2004
Australia $29.99 +583161
Quintessential Aussie Shiraz, full of blueberries, leather, and spice.

Torres Mas La Plana 2003
Spain $49.99 +315838
Magisterial Cabernet Sauvignon from the Mediterranean coast.

FORTIFIED

Best of Category:
Hardys Whiskers Blake Tawny Port
Australia $25.99 +478537
One of the world’s greatest dessert wine bargains. Whiskers has helped to revive Australia’s oldest winemaking tradition: long aged blends of lusciously sweet wine. Try it the Aussie way, drizzled on ice cream.

Penfolds Grandfather Fine Old Tawny Port
Australia $84.99 +440214*
Very rare—and very special—relic of 19th century Australian winemaking.

Pennys Hill Vintage Fortified Shiraz 2004
Australia $46.99 +589937
Monstrous treacly, raisiny, fruit bomb.

Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage Port 2001
Portugal $32.99 +570374
Old-school LBV from one of the Douro’s greatest houses.

DESSERT

Best of Category:
Inniskillin Okanagan Riesling Icewine 2006
B.C. $60 +587758
This is icewine at its very best, super-concentrated but never cloying. Scintillating expression of pure Riesling fruit, oozing peaches, apricots, and apples.

Mission Hill Reserve Riesling Icewine 2006
B.C. $59.99 +240127
Okanagan icewine at its finest. Luscious peach and apricot flavours with lovely balancing acidity. Excellent value.

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