WINES OF THE WEEK
UNDER $18: EVERYDAY DRINKING Douro 2014, Reserva, Cabral, Portugal red, $13.95,
SAQ #12185647: Lots of wine for the price. Has that “dry port” feel with its date and fig notes. Still, the tannins are relatively forgiving, and the acidity keeps it jumpy. If you want sheer power in a dry wine that shows good complexity, this is a very good buy. Residual sugar: 2.2 g/l. Grape varieties: tinta barroca, tinta roriz, touriga francesa, touriga nacional. Serve at 16-18C. Drink now-2019. Food-pairing idea: Moroccan tajine, beef stews.
$18-$23: MID-PRICED MARVEL Cahors 2014, Le Combal, Cosse Maisonneuve, France red, $19.65, SAQ
#10675001: Organic. For a “big” red, drinks with so much ease. A suave and textured palate with precision tannins. The nose is more on the floral side, which morphs into dark fruit, pepper and a nuanced black licorice note that acts as an earthy anchor. This wine is alive! Grape variety: malbec. Residual sugar: 1.4 g/l. Serve at 18C. Drink now-2020. Food-pairing idea: strong-flavoured red meat like lamb or deer.
$23 AND UP: FOR A TREAT Montagny Premier Cru 2015, Les Grappes d’Or, Domaine Feuillat-Juillot, France white, $27.95, SAQ
#13200061: Very tropical with a subtle caramel note underneath. But despite the “ripe for a Burgundy” feeling, the acidic spine is there, just enough to keep it very fresh. A chardonnay that will please a wide variety of chardonnayloving palates. Residual sugar: 3.3 g/l. Grape variety: chardonnay. Serve at 8-12C. Drink now-2020. Food-pairing idea: Apéritif, scallops, richer fish in sauce. ROSÉ OF THE WEEK Côtes de Provence 2016, L’Esprit de Provence, Le Grand Cros, France rosé, $20.95, SAQ #12684665: Deliciously and elegantly fruity. Has a driving mineral force, but that doesn’t take away from the strawberry joy. This is very good as much as an apéritif as it is at the table. Rosé of the summer? A strong candidate. Residual sugar: 1.4 g/l. Grape varieties: grenache, syrah. Serve at 10-14C. Drink now-2018. Food-pairing idea: Apéritif, salmon tartare, mushroom arancini with tomato salsa.