TASTING NOTES

RED WINES FOR FISH

Gamay 2015, Château des Charmes Wines, Canada red, $16.95, SAQ #13300037.

Juicy and fresh, this is gamay done with drinkability in mind. Red-fruited, fine acids and just enough tannin to hold it together. Residual sugar: 1.9 g/l. Grape variety: gamay. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now-2018. Food pairing idea: salmon or tuna tartare.

Beaujolais Villages 2015, Grandes Mises, Mommessin, France red, $19.50, SAQ # 13212213.

One of the better Beaujolais-Villages I have tasted. None of that “just fermented” grapiness one finds in so many of these wines. Rather, this is textured, with a touch of oak framing and classic white pepper notes on the finish. Residual sugar: 1.9 g/l. Grape variety: gamay. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now-2020. Food pairing idea: grilled salmon.

Savoie 2015, Mondeuse noir, La Sauvage, Pascal & Annick Quenard, France red, $24.50, SAQ # 10884671.

Loads of sweet fruit with a textured and round midpalate. Complex with a slight spice and bitter finish. Tannins are surprisingly grippy for a mondeuse, but that just gives it more punch. Residual sugar: 1.2 g/l. Grape variety: mondeuse noir. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now-2020. Food pairing idea: grilled sardines, smoked eel or other oily fish.

Langhe 2014, Nebbiolo, A Mont, Paolo Conterno, Italy red, $25.90, SAQ # 12795947.

Much like the 2013, classically styled nebbiolo with its florals and red fruit, bright acidity and somewhat firm tannins. I love wines like this because they make you wait; they are reticent. Residual sugar: 1.4 g/l. Grape variety: nebbiolo. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now-2024. Food pairing idea: grilled mackerel or sardines.