WINES OF THE WEEK

UNDER $18: EVERYDAY DRINKING Vin de Pays d’Oc 2015, Viognier, Château Cazal Viel, France white, $16.45, SAQ # 895946:

Less perfumed and fruity than usual, which I prefer. Richly textured, with that low-level earthiness one gets from proper viognier. Nice finish with lingering stone fruits, peach and apricot. For the price, a true bargain. Residual sugar: 2 g/L. Grape variety: viognier. Serve at: 10-12 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: scallops and richer seafood, Thai-style curry with coconut milk.

$18-$23: MID-PRICED MARVEL Languedoc 2013, Devois des Agneaux d’Aumelas, Elisabeth & Brigitte Jeanjean, France red, $19.45, SAQ # 912311:

This is good. Bright red field fruits, with just a faint whiff of dried garden herbs like thyme and bay leaf. Tannins are soft, but still have a touch of grip. At four years of age, shows really good aromatic complexity. Keep this cool. Residual sugar: 2.6 g/L. Grape varieties: syrah, grenache. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: roast chicken with Provençal herbs, grilled pork chop with dark fruit salsa.

$23 AND UP: FOR A TREAT Côtes du Rhône 2015, Mon Coeur, J.L. Chave Sélection, France red, $23.30, SAQ # 10330433:

Arguably the best generic Côtes du Rhône on the market. So suave and silky. Great depth of fruit, with a juicy cassis and blackberry note leading the way. The tannins are refined. Elegant while being so approachable. Residual sugar: 2.6 g/L. Grape varieties: grenache, syrah. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now2018. Food pairing idea: fish soup with lots of aioli, chicken salad.

ROSÉ OF THE WEEK Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2016, Coste delle Plaie, Podere Castorani, Italy rosé, $20.90, SAQ # 11904355:

Always one of the more powerful rosés on the market. A solid mass of red fruits. Rich texture, yet still very fresh. This can almost handle a steak, but I would stick with salmon. Residual sugar: 5.6 g/L. Grape variety: montepulciano. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: apéritif, gazpacho, grilled salmon with salsa.