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

Shiraz 2016, Reserva, Luis Felipe Edwards, Chile red, $12.95, SAQ No. 10754181.

The price keeps dropping but the quality remains. Walks that median between the floral and red fruited syrah style and a richer textured shiraz perfectly. Tannins are there, but do little to impede the pleasure. Easy choice for a warm summer evening BBQ. Grape variety: shiraz. Residual sugar: 2.4 g/ l. Serve at 16C. Drink now-2018.

Food pairing idea: Steak with spice on the grill.

$16-$20

Côtes Catalanes Rosé 2017, F, Domaine Ferrer-Ribière, France rosé, $18.05, SAQ No. 12924711.

I sat down with a friend for a chat in the sunshine and this is what we drank. The bottle was empty within a half-hour. Enough said. Buy this before they are all gone. Grape varieties: grenache, syrah. Residual sugar: 1.2 g/ l. Serve at 8-10 C. Drink now.

Food pairing idea: Aperitif, shrimp cocktail, gazpacho.

$20 -$25

Dolcetto di Dogliani 2016, San Luigi, Chionetti Quinto, Italy red, $22.50, SAQ No. 12466001.

A more textured and less overtly tannic version of dolcetto. You get all the pretty and bright red fruit that makes dolcetto so unique alongside a touch of that classic dolcetto bitterness, but there’s that surprising richness. Very easy drinking but oh so interesting. Grape variety: dolcetto. Residual sugar: 1.9 g/ l. Serve at 16C. Drink now-2019.

Food pairing idea: Mushroom pasta, anchovies in olive oil, cold cuts.

$25 AND UP

Collioure 2016, Les Canadells, Domaine La Tour Vieille, France white, $27.75, SAQ No. 13665474.

Every year I wait for this to arrive at the SAQ and before I can talk about it, it’s gone. For those of you who appreciate richness in a white, this is, simply put, one of the best wines available. Such depth, so buttery without being heavy, a refreshing mineral finish that drives you back. Fans of white wines need to drink this. Grape varieties: maccabeu, grenache gris, grenache blanc, roussanne. Residual sugar: n/a. Serve at 1012C. Drink now-2021.

Food pairing idea: steak tartare, lobster in butter, grilled scallops.