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
Utiel-requena 2018, Agarena, Cabernet Sauvignon/tempranillo, Bodegas Murviedro, Spain red, $8.75, SAQ # 620674: I’m always intrigued by these cheapies. Most aren’t good. Know what? This isn’t bad at all. Nice fruit on the nose, some decent mid-palate texture and a finish that’s dry and fresh, with some spice and smoke. A very drinkable option for a midweek barbecue in these times of belt-tightening. Grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo. Residual sugar: 4.5 g/l. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: apéritif, delicate white fish with lemon, mussels with parsley.
$16-$20
Côtes du Rhône Villages 2018, Signargues, Domaine La Montagnette, France red, $16.90, SAQ # 11095949: I poured a taster. I finished my glass. I refilled it. Unfortunately, it was 10 a.m., so I stopped. I cranked the rest back at dinner and wished I had more. That’s how easy-drinking yet interesting I found this little jewel of a southern Rhône. Classic grenache cherry, suave texture, and a finish that has just enough bite and tannin. Grape variety: grenache, syrah, carignan, mourvèdre. Residual sugar: 2 g/l. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now-2021. Food pairing ideas: apéritif, Middle Eastern food such as falafel and hummus, white meats.
$20-$25
Médoc 2016, Révélations d’hubert de Boüard, Château Grand Bouchon, France red, $22.95, SAQ # 14334888: Superb value. Classic Bordeaux that shows elegance, finesse and power from start to finish. A nose of fresh red fruits and field flowers. A mid-palate that slowly fills your mouth with satin. A focused finish that tightens up nicely with tannin and a hint of oak. Really well done for the price, and will be even better in a few years. Grape varieties: merlot, cabernet sauvignon. Residual sugar: 3 g/l. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2023. Food pairing idea: grilled pork with beet relish.
$25 AND UP
Pouilly-fumé 2018, Domaine des Rabichattes, France white, $26.30, SAQ # 12291491: Fresh and zippy, as you would expect from any sauvignon blanc. What I like about this wine are the simple themes. The fruit is lime and lemon, and that chalky note that makes Loire sauvignon so unique runs parallel to the fruit, adding an exclamation point at the end of every sip. A faint herbal note gives some extra dimension. Grape variety: sauvignon blanc. Residual sugar: 1.2 g/l. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now-2022. Food pairing ideas: apéritif, grilled white fish with asparagus.