W I N E S O F T H E W E E K

UNDER $18: EVERYDAY DRINKING Montepulciano d’Abruz zo 2013, Ilico, Illuminati, Italy red, $ 17, SAQ # 10858123: One-hundred-per-cent Montepulciano. A very good ex ample of it, and at a great price. Dark fruit with just a hint of barrel-driven smoke and spice. Tannins are gritty, ripe, but stick to your tongue. This is made for meat, so if you want an inexpensive wine that has enough torque for a steak, you have it here. Dry, and high ly drink able. Re sid ual sugar:n/a.S er veat:16C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: minute steak, meat-filled ravioli.

$ 1 8 - $ 2 3 : MID-PRICED MARVEL Minervois 2014, Plaisir d’Eulalie, Château SainteEulalie, France red, $ 18.40, SAQ # 488171: Good, sol id Minervois. Think southern Rhône in terms of style, but with a little extra tannin and pow er. The fruit is ripe and dark, with a peppery, spicy finish. But you also get some floral son the nose, as well as a touch of dried herbs. Good complexity, tannin and grip. Considering the price, excellent value. Residual sugar :2.8 g/L.S er veat:16C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: meat balls with herbs, lamb chops with mint.

$23 AND UP: FORAT RE AT Bourgogne Vézelay 2014, La Châtelaine, Domain ede la Cadet te, France white, $ 28.80, SAQ # 11094621: Wonderful compromise between the drive and focus of a Chablis and the richer texture of southern Bur gun dy. Gold en apple with a hint of cara mel, but this is all about the mouth feel. So com fort able to drink. So elegant. This is glorious chardonnay. Residual sugar: n/a.S er veat:16C. Drink now- 2019. Food pairing idea: apéritif, sea food pasta.