WINES OF THE WEEK

UNDER $15

The Curator 2017, Western Cape, A.A. Badenhorst, South Africa red, $13, SAQ # 12819435: For an inexpensive wine, you get some good torque here. The fruit has a sun-baked feel, verging on raisins, but with an underlying freshness and sour cherry note that keeps it from getting heavy. Nice spicy finish. So good for the price, it sells out fast. Grape varieties: cinsault, Syrah, Grenache, mourvèdre. Residual sugar: 2.7 g/L. Serve at: 15 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: filet mignon brochettes with tamari. $15-$20

Mantinia 2017, Moschofilero, Domaine Tselepos, Greece white, $18.65, SAQ # 11097485: One of my favourite Greek whites on the market. Aromatic without being overbearing, loaded with tropical fruits, yet dry and mineral on the finish. Textured, yet not heavy. Grape variety: moschofilero. Residual sugar: 2.3 g/L. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: apéritif, grilled squid, white fish with fruit salsa. $20-$25

Languedoc 2015, Montpeyroux, Domaine d’Aupilhac, France red, $23.25, SAQ # 856070: One of the more elegant and finessed reds you’ll find in the south of France. There is power and some solid tannin, but also aromatic complexity — from dark berries to dried herbs and flowers. So much fun to swirl in your glass. The finish is precise. This will cellar well, too. Grape varieties: mourvèdre, Syrah, carignan, Grenache. Residual sugar: 1.8 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2021. Food pairing idea: lamp chops with rosemary. $25 AND UP

Sancerre rosé 2017, Chavignol, Vincent Delaporte, France rosé, $28.45, SAQ # 13314199: Almost $30 for a rosé? If you just like to chug rosé, don’t choose it — but if you want a pink wine with depth, aromas of flowers and red fruits, and a lengthy, mineral finish, this is a treat. One of my favourite rosés of the summer. Grape variety: pinot noir. Residual sugar: 2.9 g/L. Serve at: 8-12 C. Drink now-2019. Food pairing idea: apéritif, salmon tartare, grilled salmon.