All-around rosé surprises

Every week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his top wine picks available at the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.

UNDER $16

Campo de Borja Rosé 2019, Seleccion, Borsao, Spain rosé, $11.85, SAQ # 10754201.

Was surprised by this one. Nicely textured rosé that is easy-drinking and with enough heft to handle a meal. The fruit is there, juicy and red, and with enough acid to give it some backbone. Dry and fruity finish. Very good all-around rosé for under $12.

Grape variety: grenache. Residual sugar: 1.2 g/l.

Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: apéritif, shrimp salad, cold salmon.

$16-$20

Douro 2016, Seleçao, Cabral, Portugal red, $17, SAQ # 13114947.

A step up from the classic reserva, the seleçao shows even more brawn and intensity. Ripe and richly textured with beautiful tannins, this gives huge bang for the buck if you’re looking for a red with an abundance of flavour. Nicely balanced, with a finish of toasty oak, spice, cassis and blackberry. Bring on the pepper steak.

Grape varieties: touriga franca, touriga nacional, sousao, tinta amarela.

Residual sugar: 2.4 g/l.

Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2022. Food pairing ideas: pepper steak, leg of lamb.

$20-$25

Penedès 2018, Calcari, Xarel-lo, Parés Baltà, Spain white, $20.55, SAQ # 11377225.

Organic. Xarel-lo is normally used for the sparkling wine Cava; here it is in a table wine. If you’re a fan of muscadet or other superfresh whites, you’ll love this. Lemon and lime with a chalky mineral finish. Clean, focused, almost knifelike with its acidity and minerality. Bet this will age nicely.

Grape variety: xarel-lo.

Residual sugar: 1.4 g/l.

Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now2022.

Food pairing ideas: apéritif, raw oysters, mussels and other shellfish.

$25 AND UP

Moulin-à-vent 2018, Terres Dorées, Jean-paul Brun, France red, $28.45, SAQ # 10837331.

If you’re spending tons of cash on pinot noir, try this amazing under-$30 wine, which offers many of the same qualities but is much easier on the wallet. So floral, so delicate, with dried flowers and the ripest, purest field fruits. Velvety texture, with just enough tannin to give the wine some superb length. Brun is a master of gamay; this is one of his best cuvées, and will age with grace and get even better. Grape variety: gamay.

Residual sugar: 1.6 g/l.

Serve at: 16 C. Drink now-2025.

Food pairing ideas: apéritif, liver and onions, grilled salmon.