WINES OF THE WEEK
Every week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his top wine picks available at the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.
UNDER $16
Douro 2016, Reserva, Cabral, Portugal white, $13.95, SAQ # 12757692. Very interesting white for a low price. Textured, with pear and apple notes followed by a mix of almond and spice on the finish. Great balance, with a lengthy and comforting finish. Grape varieties: viosinho, arinto, rabigato, gouveio. Residual sugar: 2.2 g/L. Serve at: 8-12 C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: seafood pasta, mussels meunière.
$16-$20
Rioja 2014, Crianza, Viña Real, Spain red, $16.90, SAQ # 12278261. Lots of fruit, leaning toward darker notes but with a refreshing acidity that keeps it light. Delicate and nuanced florals on the nose make it even more interesting. Very good for the price. Perfect mid-week wine that will go with almost any meat dish. Grape varieties: tempranillo, grenache, graciano. Residual sugar: 2.1 g/L. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now-2019. Food pairing ideas: spicy sausages, minute steak with caramelized onions.
$20-$25
Torrontes 2016, Signature, Susana Balbo, Argentina white, $24, SAQ # 13475646. One of the best torrontes I have tasted. Barrel fermented, but enough concentration to not show that oak, aside from a spicy finish. Gorgeous fruit, with pineapple and other tropical notes. Textured, fresh and so much fun to drink. Grape variety: torrontes. Residual sugar: 1.2 g/L. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now2020. Food pairing ideas: scallops, white meats with fruit and jalapeno salsa.
$25 AND UP
Rioja 2011, Reserva, Contino, Spain red, $29.75, SAQ # 12347159. My style of Rioja: focused on the fruit rather than being dominated by old oak aromas of tobacco and leather. Made from a single vineyard, this has beautiful focus and finesse, with fine tannins that prolong the joy of each sip. Really good now, and I would love to drink this in three to five years. Grape varieties: tempranillo, graciano, mazuelo, grenache. Residual sugar: 1.6 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2023. Food pairing idea: filet mignon with red wine sauce.