WINES OF THE WEEK

Bill Zacharkiw

It is rare that a wine’s quality does not reflect its price. However, there are exceptions. The wines of the week are reserved for those wines that show exceptional quality and outstanding value.

UNDER $16: EVERYDAY DRINKING Beautiful blend knows its place

Carménère/Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Colchagua, Cono Sur, Chile red,

$15.45, SAQ #10694376. Character, power and organic to boot. The blend works beautifully — cassis and tannin from the cab and just enough of that weedy carménère to give it both location and complexity. This is unabashedly Chilean. Serve at 18C. Drink now 2014. Food pairing idea: braised meat with ginger and soya

$16-$20: MID-PRICED MARVEL

Organic grapes brighten up grenache

Côtes du Rhône 2010, Nature, Perrin, France red, $19.55, SAQ #918821. Organic. Why most organically grown grapes seem to have a brightness, I’m not sure. But this has it. Silky and sensual grenache, full of red cherries, tempered by a slight green olive note of the syrah. Tannins bite nicely. Focused and complete wine. Serve at 16C. Drink now-2016. Food pairing idea: roast chicken with lentils

$20 AND UP: FOR A TREAT Mystery surrounds Dao’s dark core

Dao 2005, Reserva, Quinta da Ponte Pedrinha, Portugal red, $22.65, SAQ

#883645. The Portuguese region that often produces the most thoughtful and elegant wines. Here’s one that speaks volumes with each sip. Such class. Ripe fruit that I really had a hard time placing, a black, dark mineral core that binds everything together and such great length. Complex without being busy. Serve at 18C. Drink now2015. Food pairing idea: lean, stronger-flavoured meat