WINES OF THE WEEK
UNDER $16 Dão 2017, Quinta da Ponte Pedrinha, Portugal white, $15.65, SAQ # 10760492: One of my favourite inexpensive whites. While the grape varieties might not be familiar, this drinks very much like chardonnay, though with citrus as opposed to green apple freshness. Elegant and interesting. Grape varieties: encruzado, cerceal branco. Residual sugar: 1.2 g/L. Serve at: 10-12 C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: lighter fish with lemon and herbs, seafood pasta.
$16-$20 Ladybug 2017 Rosé, Beamsville Bench, Malivoire, Ontario rosé, $17.50, SAQ # 13747891: For those of you who want a big pink that shows lots of power, this has it all: texture, spice, and yes, boatloads of ripe fruit, mostly strawberry and tart cherry. Drier than past vintages. Gamay specialists Malivoire now seem to have rosé dialed in nicely as well. Grape varieties: cabernet franc, gamay, pinot noir. Residual sugar: n/a. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: apéritif, smoked salmon with herbs and cream cheese, spinach quiche.
$20-$25 Rioja 2015, La Montesa, Bodega Palacios Remondo, Spain red, $20.95, SAQ # 10556993: If you don’t normally drink Rioja, this is a great place to start. Much fruitier and vibrant than the norm — most Rioja tends to be earthier, filled with tobacco and other oak-driven notes. Here, aside from the fruit, you get a suave texture, a certain freshness and fine, elegant tannins. Grape varieties: grenache, tempranillo. Residual sugar: 1.5 g/L. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now2020. Food pairing idea: filet mignon brochettes with ginger and tamari.
$25 AND UP Zinfandel 2014, Mount Veeder, Peter Franus, California red, $49.50, SAQ # 897652: Along with Ridge, one of my favourite zins. A ton of power, as expected, but underneath the mass of dark fruits is a fine acidity that keeps things fresh. Ripe tannin, spicy and with a lengthy finish. This ages incredibly well, too. Textured, but without all that residual sugar. For Cali wine fans, a must. Grape varieties: zinfandel, grenache. Residual sugar: 3.7 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2020. Food pairing ideas: grilled lamb, grilled filet mignon with pepper sauce.