WINES OF THE WEEK
Every week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his top wine picks available at the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.
UNDER $16 Dão 2015, Quinta dos Roques, Portugal red, $15.90, SAQ # 744805.
Very elegant Dão. Oak is still there, but it’s way in the background behind the intense fruit. Great ripeness, with an almost cassis jujube note on the finish. Classy and very powerful for a wine at this price. Tannins still grip: This
needs meat.
Grape varieties: Touriga nacional, jaen, alfrocheiro, tinta roriz. Residual sugar: 1.8 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: Lamb chops, wild meats.
$16-$20 Cahors 2014, Grande Cuvée Prestige, Château la Coustarelle, France red, $19.25, SAQ # 482240.
This is proof that you can have power at under 13 per cent alcohol. Always one of the better Cahors on the market. Nicely textured; dark fruit laced with venison and black licorice notes. Tannins have a Bordeaux-esque refinement. Great wine for richer dishes. Grape varieties: Malbec,
tannat. Residual sugar: 1.6 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2020. Food pairing idea: Cassoulet.
$20-$25 Touraine 2016, L’Arpent des Vaudons, Jean-François Mérieau, France white, $20.95, SAQ # 12564233.
Richer sauvignon blanc. Almost makes me think of white Bordeaux, if it weren’t for that slightly chalky, mineral finish. Mix of citrus and tropical notes. So comfortable to drink, but fresh.
Grape variety: Sauvignon blanc. Residual sugar: 2.5 g/L. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now-2020. Food pairing idea: Apéritif, white fish with spicy salsa and coriander.
$25 AND UP Zinfandel 2013, Old Vines, St. Francis, California red, $30, SAQ # 13317015.
Has some torque, as you would expect from a zin. What separates this is the blend, with acid and tannin being delivered by the other grapes. Despite the residual sugar, not sweet in the least. Just a well-done zinfandel that shows power and texture. This can age.
Grape varieties: Zinfandel, petite sirah, Alicante bouschet, mourvèdre.
Residual sugar: 6.1 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2023. Food pairing idea: Ribs or chicken with ketchup-based barbecue sauce, pepper steak.