WINES OF THE WEEK

Every week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his top wine picks available at the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.

UNDER $15

Alicante 2017, Laderas de El Sequé, Bodegas Artadi, Spain red, $14.95, SAQ # 10359201. Need power for a low price? This is great. Still quite grapey, so the fruit is very upfront. Tannins are ripe but give impressive length and coat the mouth nicely without drying. Darkfruited with a hint of balsamic, giving it personality. Great barbecue wine. Grape variety: monastrell.

Residual sugar: 2.1 g/L.

Serveat: 16 C. Drink now-2021.

Food pairing idea: beef brochettes with sweet balsamic vinegar marinade.

$15-$20

Langhe 2016, Nebbiolo, Beni di Batasiolo, Italy red, $18.10, SAQ # 13089809. A wonderful entry point into the world of nebbiolo. Finely grained tannins cuddle delicate red fruits, wild and fresh, with a nuanced note of rose and spice. Pretty wine. Like a pinot noir with attitude. Grape variety: nebbiolo.

Residual sugar: 2 g/L.

Serveat: 16 C. Drink now-2020. Food pairing idea: veal or pork roast with mushrooms.

$20-$25

L’Hereu Conca del Riu 2016, Raventos i Blanc, Spain sparkling, $22.90, SAQ # 12097946. September is the start of oyster season, and that means more mineraldriven bubbles at my house. It’s hard to beat the intensity, finesse and, yes, minerality of this Cava. Dry, salty, almost chalky on the finish. Exceptional value for the price.

Grape varieties: macabeu, parellada, xarel-lo.

Residual sugar: 4.8 g/L. Serveat: 8-10 C. Drink now-2019.

Food pairing ideas: apéritif, raw oysters, salmon tartare.

$25 AND UP

Haut-Médoc 2015, La Demoiselle de Sociando-Mallet, Château Sociando-Mallet, France red, $37.50, SAQ # 13308821. Red Bordeaux is a cool-weather wine for me, and this is a great one. Aromatic, with toasted oak, spice and flowery blackberry. The tannins are still firm, but show the ripeness of 2015, so they don’t impede any immediate pleasure. Length is great without being annoying, finishing on a point of graphite. Classic merlotdriven Bordeaux blend that shows lots of power, complexity and finesse.

Grape varieties: merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc.

Residual sugar: 1.2 g/L.

Serveat: 18 C. Drink now-2025.

Food pairing idea: rib roast, centre cut.