Winter may be the traditional season for big beefy and mulled red wines, but when you want a nice white wine to complement the turkey or post-holiday vegetarian diet, turn to these lovely whites.

Virgin Vines 2004 Chardonnay,

Mendocino County, California

$13

Here’s a straw-coloured white with the typical California notes - lots of intense fruit flavour - pears, baked apples, quince - and a sweet vanilla finish to appeal to the masses. Still, a nice chardonnay to serve with a teryaki glazed salmon or a roasted wild turkey.

And I love the bottle - hand-painted label with a very discreet screw tap closure (hidden so well under the foil that I had the corkscrew ready).

(08/06)

Crios de Susana Balbos 2006 Torontes

Cafayete, Argentina

13.5% alc

$18-$20

This is a delicious, full-bodied white made in Argentina from the unusual Torontes grape. It’s a sensual white wine with aromas of flowers and sweet lychee fruit, plus enough acidity and roundness to make it the perfect match to fish and seafood meals, or poultry with reduction sauces. At $18 it’s a bargain and a wine that will have your guests guessing.

(12/06)

Jackson Triggs 2005 Proprietors’ Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Okanagan, Canada

$18

You can tell this wine is going to be special when you pick up the heavy frosted bottle. It’s signed by Donald Triggs (former company head) and you know the proprietor had something to say about what’s in the bottle. That is a big, intense and ripe sauvignon blanc - with lots of ripe grapefruit and round buttery aromas, a touch of the typical grassy notes and just enough acidity to make you reach for another sip after that piece of young goat cheese. A very drinkable white and a great example of solid Canadian winemaking.

(12/06)

©Cinda Chavich

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