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In my younger years, Labour Day weekend made my skin crawl. I wanted summer to last (didn't we all?), but with the first day of school fast approaching (and my pimples invariably breaking out at the worst possible time), the season of bliss was melting away faster than a soft-serve ice cream cone in hell.

Come this Tuesday, I won't be crying into my Flintstones lunchbox because the school bell has not tolled for me in a long time. Labour Day merely, and happily, represents an extra 24 hours of relaxation and an excuse to ignore the boss's annoyingly timed weekend e-mails. Weather permitting, it's also time to keep the barbecue flames burning.

Wine, like an evocative tune, can extend the season beyond Labour Day, too. A crisp sauvignon blanc, a dry rosé or a luscious red to complement charred meat – what's in your glass can add a few days, or weeks, to summer's vibe. As country star and sage observer of the seasons Kenny Chesney sings, "Perfect song on the radio/Sing along 'cause it's one we know/It's a smile, it's a kiss/It's a sip of wine/It's summertime, sweet summertime."

Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc 2015, New Zealand

SCORE: 91 PRICE: $24.95

You can expect to add a few dollars to the price of a bottle when the word "icon" appears on a wine label (there are several examples I can think of). Fair enough, as long as there's quality in the bottle. That's the case with this high-end white from popular producer Nobilo. It's a multilayered and wonderfully classic example of sauvignon blanc from New Zealand's Marlborough region. Pronounced notes of grapefruit and grass on the nose are replayed on the palate in this fleshy, substantial and exuberant white. Flavours of plump peach join the citrus along with hay and herbs. Summer in a bottle. Available in Ontario at the above price, various prices in Alberta, $25 in Saskatchewan, $26.48 in New Brunswick.

E. Guigal Saint-Joseph 2012, France

SCORE: 91 PRICE: $36.95

Guigal crafts a range of syrahs from the northern Rhône, home of the grape's greatest and most cellar-worthy examples. While this red from the Saint-Joseph appellation may not be in the league of Guigal's iconic single-vineyard Côte-Rôties (which cost upward of 10 times the price), it's very fine juice. Full-bodied and meaty, it offers up flavours of plum, black pepper, licorice, lavender and, yes, smoked meat, with sticky, fine-grained tannins that bode well for up to 10 years of cellaring. But no need to wait a decade; it would be smashing for grilled lamb today. Available in Ontario.

Township 7 Unoaked Chardonnay 2015, British Columbia

SCORE: 90 PRICE: $17.97

The Okanagan's sunny 2015 growing blessed this unoaked white with ripe, opulent flavour. Medium-bodied and round, with no malolactic fermentation needed to add weight and creaminess, it even exhibits rich colour for a wine that saw no wood contact. It's an orchard fruit medley of apple, peach and citrus, lifted by flinty edge and well-tuned acidity. Available direct through www.township7.com.

Arboleda Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Chile

SCORE: 90 PRICE: $19.95

Full-bodied but light on its feet, Arboleda's 2013 single vineyard comes across with flambéed cherries and mint set against dry, chalky but unaggressive tannins. This is juicy cabernet, with a lively lift. Available in Ontario at the above price, $19.99 in Manitoba, $19.95 in Quebec, and $19.99 in Nova Scotia.

Montes Alpha Carmenère 2013, Chile

SCORE: 90 PRICE: $19.95

Full-bodied and bone-dry, with astringent backbone for a firm but chewy ride. Carmenère, Chile's signature red grape, will turn herbaceous if left to its devices. But it shines when it's grown on the right soils and is tamed by smart pruning. Montes does a good job here, turning out a juicy red with notes of plum and blackberry along with hints of mint, jalapeno, smoke, espresso and black pepper. Grilled sausages, meet your wine. Available in Ontario at the above price, $22.61 in Manitoba.

Tessellae Old Vines Grenache Syrah Mourvedre Côtes du Roussillon 2014, France

SCORE: 90 PRICE: $18.95

Tessellae matured this southern French red in neutral concrete, not oak, to accentuate the succulent fruit. Smooth and polished, it's concentrated and earthy, too, with added notes of herbs and spice, framed by bright acidity. Perfect for grilled lamb but also nice for beef. Available in Ontario.

Cave Spring Estate Bottled Gewurztraminer 2013, Ontario

SCORE: 90 PRICE: $17.95

On the sweeter side of off-dry, with a fleshy, thick texture carrying opulent tinned peach, apricot and lychee fruit lifted by spicy ginger. Try this Niagara wine with spicy fish or chicken dishes. Available in Ontario at the above price, various prices in Alberta, $19.99 in Manitoba.

Yalumba Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Australia

SCORE: 89 PRICE: $19.95

Full-bodied and well structured, with an intriguing fragrance of blackberries and forest floor. On the palate, it offers flavours of berry and cassis fruit set on a dry, gently chalky texture, with nuances of mint, dark chocolate and black olive, finishing bright and tangy. A new offering from Yalumba, it's just starting to roll out to LCBO stores. Available in Ontario.

Château Bellevue La Forêt 2015, France

SCORE: 88 PRICE: $14.95

The vineyard is located in Fronton, a lesser-known French district near Toulouse in the southwest. Known mainly for red wines, Fronton also produces rosés, though in a richer, softer style than is the norm in France's pink-wine capital of Provence far to the east. The main grape here is negrette, a supple and highly fruity variety. Medium-weight and intense, the wine shows jammy raspberry and strawberry flavours along with soft acidity. Available in Ontario at the above price, $15.95 in Quebec.

Bosio Barbera d'Asti 2014, Italy

SCORE: 87 PRICE: $13.95

Smooth for a barbera, an Italian grape generally known for its biting acidity. Medium-weight, with nuances of sweet berries and shoe leather, with a chewy middle and a spicy back end. A bargain, and ideal for grilled sausages. Available in Ontario.

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