WINE OF THE WEEK

UNDER $16

Santorini 2016, Assyrtiko, Tsantali, Greece white, $15.55, SAQ # 13360195. Good intro to assyrtiko. Shows the classic mineral finish with citrus notes. A touch less lean and focused. Very comfortable to drink. Won’t satisfy the purists, but if you don’t know Santorini’s assyrtiko, start with this.

Residual sugar: 3.7 g/L. Grape variety: assyrtiko. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now.

Food pairing idea: apéritif, raw oysters, mussels.

$16-$20

Vin de Pays d’Oc 2014, La Cuvée Mythique, Vignerons du Val d’Orbieu, France red, $18.55, SAQ # 13356946. Very fresh and juicy. Tannins are quite finessed — ripe, but with a bit of grip. Interesting minty note on the finish, with a touch of vanilla spice. Residual sugar: 1.4 g/L. Grape varieties: syrah, mourvèdre, grenache, carignan. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now2019.

Food pairing idea: braised lamb, steak with chimichurri sauce.

$20-$25

Côtes de Bourg 2014, Château Bujan, France red, $21.05, SAQ # 862086. Once again, a fantastic effort. While 2014 will never go down as the greatest vintage, Bujan always makes a great wine. Shows the expected red fruit and silky merlot-driven mid-palate, with just enough tannin to structure without drying. Elegant and easy to drink. Residual sugar: 2.7 g/L. Grape varieties: merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now2021.

Food pairing idea: lamb chops, lean and flavourful meats.

$25 AND UP

Bourgogne Vézelay 2015, La Châtelaine, Domaine de la Cadette, France white, $29.35, SAQ # 11094621. This continues to be one of my fave under-$30 Burgundies. Covers all the bases, from its lemon/lime fruit to its rich and comfortable finish, if you allow it to warm up. Brilliant.

Residual sugar: 2.7 g/L. Grape variety: chardonnay. Serve at: 8-12 C.

Drink now-2022. Food pairing idea: apéritif, fleshier raw oysters, white fish and cream sauce.