WINES OF THE WEEK

Coteaux du Languedoc 2016, Lou Maset, Domaine d’Aupilhac, France red, $15.90, SAQ # 11096116.

Organic. New vintage, same great wine. While it won’t blow you away with powerful flavours and length, it is so fresh, so fruity and, with its notes of dried herbs and mint, offers great aromatic complexity.

Grape varieties: cinsault, grenache, carignan, mourvèdre. Residual sugar: 1.8 g/L. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now-2020. Food pairing idea: spicy sausages.

$ 16 - $ 2 0

Muscadet 2016, Le Voyage Extraordinaire, Famille Lieubeau, $16.70, France white, SAQ # 13312679

A good-quality muscadet at a very nice price. While it may not have the same mineral intensity as more expensive bottles, it has everything else you might want: citrus notes, green apple and a focused finish. Grape variety: melon de Bourgogne. Residual sugar: 2 g/L. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: apéritif, mussels, stir-fries with coriander and chili.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Aconcagua Alto, Errazuriz, Chile red, $20.65, SAQ # 13394766.

So fresh despite the heft one expects from a cab. The blackberry is infused with mint and a touch of eucalyptus. Grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, cabernet franc. Residual sugar: 2.5 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2022. Food pairing: rack of lamb, magret de canard with dark berries.

Dão 2014, Reserva, Quinta da Ponte Pedrinha, Portugal red, $25.45, SAQ # 883645.

A blend led by touriga nacional that shows rich, brooding fruit and beautiful aromatics. The oak is still there, but shows more spice than vanilla. This will easily gain more with age, but drinks well already. Grape varieties: touriga nacional, alfrocheiro, tinta roriz. Residual sugar: 2.4 g/L. Serve at:

18 C. Drink now-2024. Food pairing idea: roast beef, centre cut.