Some tips for those new to the grape game
Millennials, I get that you may not drink wine. You like White Claw, that hard seltzer that’s all over Instagram and has been wildly popular since it launched March 1.
Sales are mind-boggling. The LCBO has sold 7.8 million cans of the stuff so far. Crazy, right? But wine can be likeable, affordable and ready to drink, too.
See, I love wine. And I want you to love it as much as I do. But if you’re new to the wine game, there are definite entry points. Gateway wines, if you like.
The wines I’m about to recommend don’t taste like White Claw obviously. But they’re refreshing, full of fruit and inexpensive.
For those who like the idea of drinking red wine but have always found it too dry and maybe bitter, Lambrusco is definitely the way to go. Unfortunately, the LCBO doesn’t stock many Lambrusco labels. But NV Riunite Lambrusco Frizzante from Emilia, Italy (LCBO 13492, $9.95) is now on shelves and deserves a mention because it is the quintessential gateway red with its sweet, fruity and fizzy hit of wild berry goodness. Clocking just eight per cent alcohol, you can quaff it well chilled on the patio for easy refreshment. And it goes with anything you like really — from pizza and pasta to a handful of salty snacks in the afternoon. Score: 90
If you’re hell-bent on canned beverages, try Gaze Wine Beverage Blueberry Pomegranate Moscato from California (LCBO 14685, $7.95/ 375ml can). Brand new to the LCBO, this lip-smacking blend of Moscato, blueberry and pomegranate juice strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sour. Think fresh berry goodness laced with sweet orange and juicy pear all shot through with gentle effervescence that amps up the refreshment factor. With no artificial flavours or colours and just 4.5 per cent alcohol, this tall, slim can is an easy way to get acquainted with fermented grape juice. Twist open a cold one with a handful of toasted nuts. Totally Instagrammable. Score: 91 By the way, Gaze also offers a Coconut Moscato Chardonnay, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Moscato forms the base of these Gaze beverages because it’s a wine that’s sweet, juicy and fruit-forward. It’s also relatively low in alcohol and appealing to those who find dry whites too tart. So Moscato is a name to know.
A pure Moscato worth trying is NV Barefoot Moscato from California (LCBO 234351, $10.95). It draws you in with its intense aromas of mixed citrus and stone fruit, then races across the palate with a sweetand-sour attack of the same laced with pretty floral nuances. This vibrant wine tastes like sunshine in a glass and only has nine per cent alcohol. It’s terrific on its own, cocktail style, but also works well with spicy foods such as Pad Thai with lots of hot sauce. Score: 92 For a wine that’s not quite as sweet and fruit forward as Moscato, but certainly easy to enjoy, pour Prosecco. It tends to have just enough sugar to polish up the acidity, but not so much that it tastes overtly sweet. A reliable and relatively inexpensive choice is NV Villa Sandi “Il Fresco” Prosecco DOC Treviso from Italy (LCBO 394386, $13.95 till July 19, regular $15.95). Like most Prosecco, this bottle tastes like fresh pears with attractive nuances of apricot, white flowers and salt. It’s also relatively light with just 11 per cent alcohol. Smart summertime refresher and certainly an easy gateway choice for those inching toward less sweet wines. Serve it with soft cheeses such as burrata or brie. Score: 89 Those moving toward drier wines might also enjoy the 2018 Sandbanks Rosé VQA Ontario (LCBO 244616, $13.95). This local, pale, coral coloured wine with just a hint of sweetness offers terrific value for money. It brims with delicate scents of strawberries and melon, then saturates the palate with citrusy zeal. There’s grapefruit, orange and lemon zest, a touch of tangerine and the suggestion of wild strawberry — all swirling around in a sprightly hit of pure refreshment. Chill it down and enjoy it with a classic Cobb salad for casual elegance. Score: 90 There you have it. Some wines that might just set you on a lifelong appreciation of fermented grape juice.