WINES OF THE WEEK
UNDER $18: EVERYDAY DRINKING Sylvaner 2016, Cuvée René Dopff, Dopff & Irion, France white, $13.95, SAQ
# 13190018: Solid sylvaner. Shows good acidity and a hint of minerality alongside the expected citrus notes. I love the texture — super fresh yet comfortable on the finish. Easy to drink and quite complete for the price. Residual sugar: 6 g/L. Grape variety: sylvaner. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now-2019. Food pairing idea: apéritif, scallops, lighter seafood, shrimp brochettes with herbs and lemon.
$18-$23: MID-PRICED MARVEL Rioja 2014, La Montesa, Bodega Palacios Remondo, Spain red, $19.40, SAQ #
10556993: Delicious fruit and very suave texture. Tannins are nicely grippy, a touch too much for this to drink as an aperitif, but the ripe fruit is just so succulent. A lingering salty/spicy note on the finish. Just a hint smokiness that screams for a barbecue. Keep it on the cooler side. Residual sugar: 2.4 g/L. Grape varieties: grenache, tempranillo. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now-2019. Food pairing idea: grilled filet mignon brochettes with ginger and tamari.
$23 AND UP: FOR A TREAT St-Joseph 2015, Clos de Cuminaille, Pierre Gaillard, France red, $40.25, SAQ #
11231963: Once again, Gaillard delivers a syrah that is on the more elegant, refined side of the northern Rhône spectrum. Deliciously bright and fruity, though with a serious tone due to the darkness of the fruits and the slight gamey note. Finish is pointed, focused, mineral, peppery. Great syrah. So much class. Residual sugar: 2.3 g/L. Grape variety: syrah. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2023. Food pairing idea: roast chicken or pigeon.
ROSÉ OF THE WEEK Vin de Pays D’Oc 2016, Le Rosé, Selections Chartier, France rosé, $19.95, SAQ
# 12253099: Strikes me as having more power than last year. Aromatics are divided between fruit and dried garden herbs. Finish is cushy though not heavy in the least. A rosé that will accompany a meal or be served with canapés. Residual sugar: 3.3 g/L. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: apéritif, lobster bisque, salmon with dill.