WINES OF THE WEEK
UNDER $16 Dao blanc 2017, Meia Encosta, Portugal white, $10.50, SAQ # 12332301: My vote for the best under-$12 white at the SAQ. Aromatic, fresh and with a spice-driven finish. It’s really hard to make an interesting white wine for this price, but this is one of them. Let it warm a bit to bring out the hidden texture. Grape varieties: Malvasia Fina, Encruzado, Bical, Fernão Pires. Residual sugar: 3.4 g/L. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: Thai curries with coconut milk, Indian-style shrimp curry.
$ 16-$ 20 Naoussa 2017, Jeunes Vignes de Xinomavro, Domaine Thymiopoulos, Greece red, $18.30, SAQ # 12212220: I hadn’t drunk a bottle of this in over a year, and you know what? It’s really so easy to empty. A lighter red that shows fresh florals, bright red fruit and just a touch of the dried herb notes one associates with this classic Greek grape variety. Keep it cool and pack this one back. Grape variety: Xinomavro. Residual sugar: 3.2 g/L. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now to 2020. Food pairing ideas: apéritif, stronger fish, ratatouille, turkey with herbs and mushroom sauce.
$ 20-$ 25 Bolgheri 2016, Poggio ai Ginepri, Tenuta Argentiera, Italy red, $23.15, SAQ # 11161299: One of the better Bolgheri producers I have tasted over the past few years. More modern, perhaps, with its accent on fruit and barrel notes, but it’s done so well. Balance is everything in a wine, and this has a perfect mix of rich texture and classic Italian acidity. A must for all fans of Italian Cabernet. Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot. Residual sugar: 2.4 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now to 2022. Food pairing idea: roast chicken with barbecue sauce.
$25 AND UP Conca del Riu Anoia, De Nit Rosé 2016, Josep Maria Raventos i Blanc, Spain sparkling, $29.30, SAQ # 12097954: This Cava is a spectacular sparkling rosé. Blends fun and elegance with explosive, slightly candied aromatics of red fruit. I referred to this once as Pop Rocks for adults. Still is. Grape varieties: Maccabeu, Xarel-lo, Parellada, Monastrell. Residual sugar: 4.4 g/L. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: salmon tartare. Every week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his top wine picks available at the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.