WINES OF THE WEEK

Under $18: Everyday drinking Peloponnese IGP 2015, Kalavryta, Tetramythos, Greece red, $17.05, SAQ # 11885457. Organic. It’s hard to find interesting reds in this price range, but here’s one. Such delicious fruit, with a subtle black olive and herbal note on the finish. Very easy drinking and every sip is interesting. Think of it as a Beaujolais with attitude.

Residual sugar: 1.7 g/L. Grape variety: Kalavryta. Serve at: 15 C. Drink now-2019.

Food pairing idea: apéritif, tapenade, white meat roasts.

$18-$23: Mid-priced marvel Pinot Blanc 2016, Mise du printemps, Josmeyer, France white, $22.40, SAQ # 12604063. Organic. I look forward to this wine every year. Finally, the SAQ is ordering more. Pear and stone fruits — such elegance and finesse. Just enough acid to keep it fresh. You don’t notice you’re drinking this until it’s gone. Dry and textured. Apéritif extraordinaire.

Residual sugar: 2.8 g/L. Grape variety: pinot blanc. Serve at: 8-12 C. Drink now.

Food pairing idea: apéritif, crab, clam chowder, lighter fish with lemon.

$23 and up: For a treat Ladoix 2014, Clos des Chagnots, Domaine d’Ardhuy, France red, $31.25, SAQ # 13184401. Organic. Needs a few hours to open up, so feel free to carafe this. After that, it’s a wonderfully elegant and finessed pinot that shows just-ripe red fruit, a subtle herbal note and some finely razored tannin. Almost a salty mineral note on the finish that keeps you coming back for more. Great-value Burgundy.

Residual sugar: 1.8 g/L. Grape variety: pinot noir. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now2020.

Food pairing idea: apéritif, grilled salmon, roasted pork with mushrooms.

Rosé of the week Sancerre 2016, Le Rabault, Joseph Mellot, France rosé, $26.50, SAQ # 12228539. For a more powerful rosé, this does the job. Floral and fruity in the nose, fleshy yet not heavy in the mouth, and finishes with a slightly drying bitterness, but then the fruit comes back. Might seem expensive for a rosé, but this is pinot noir, and for that it is a great deal.

Residual sugar: 1.9 g/L. Grape variety: pinot noir. Serve at: 8-12 C. Drink now2019. Food pairing idea: apéritif, salmon tartare, tuna carpaccio.