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
Sicilia IGT 2016, La Segreta, Planeta, Italy white, $15.55, SAQ # 741264.
One of the more fun white wines out there. Dry and focused, with superb aromatics of honey, almonds, citrus and a touch of pineapple. Great apéritif wine, or with curries and other aromatic dishes. Grape varieties: grenache blanc, chardonnay, fiano, viognier. Residual sugar: 1.4 g/L. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: apéritif, mussels, stir-fries with coriander and chili.
$16-$20
Morellino di Scansano 2015, Moris, Italy red, $18.95, SAQ # 13466205.
Sweet cherries and gently stewed darker fruits, with that signature sangiovese leather and a hint of espresso on the finish. The tannins are soft and the acidity is dead-on. Perhaps a touch more rustic and lighter than a Chianti. If you love Italian wine, this is well worth the money. Grape varieties: sangiovese, merlot, syrah. Residual sugar: 2 g/L. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now2020. Food pairing idea: veal Parmesan.
$20-$25
Alpilles IGP 2016, Château Romanin, France red, $22.40, SAQ # 13472445. Organic.
This is superb. Tannins are exceptionally finessed and not drying. Like 1,000 velvetgloved fingers holding the wine tight. Fruit and florals are there as well. Gorgeous wine that has just enough power for meat, but drinks easily by itself. Grape variety: syrah. Residual sugar: 2.1 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now2019. Food pairing idea: wild fowl, pork roast with mushroom sauce.
$25 AND UP
Gigondas 2015, La Gille, Perrin, France red, $29.95, SAQ # 10267905.
Very pretty grenache. Cherry fruit, juicy, silky mid-palate, and with a subtle meaty note. You get the chalky mineral finish, too. Must be limestone, as the tannins are very elegant and fine. Will gain even more with a year or two in a cellar. Grape varieties: grenache, syrah. Residual sugar: 2.8 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now2021. Food pairing idea: lamb chops with Provençal herbs.