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

Cahors 2018, Clos la Coutale, Bernède et Fils, France red, $15.50, SAQ # 857177.

A great introduction to the Cahors appellation for you malbec fans. Merlot adds a layer of red fruit and a plusher texture to balance out the more animal, earthier notes and finely grained tannins of the malbec. This shows the fruitier possibility of Cahors, with a hint of mint on the finish to add depth and freshness. Perfect for any meat dish.

Grape varieties: malbec, merlot.

Residual sugar: 2.6 g/l.

Serve at: 16 C. Drink now.

Food pairing ideas: braised meats, cassoulet.

$ 16-$ 20

Itata 2018, Itata Valley, Clos des Fous, Chile red, $18.45, SAQ # 12797686.

Closer in style to the traditional Chilean table wine pipeño than the modern, Bordeaux-style blends. Made primarily with cinsault and país. The fruit and acidity are at the forefront. Almost a Beaujolais in terms of freshness, but there is more depth, with carignan and syrah adding tannin and darker fruit notes. A really interesting, lighter, juicy red to start a meal or drink with an oilier fish.

Grape varieties: cinsault, país, carignan, syrah.

Residual sugar: 1.4 g/l.

Serve at: 15 C. Drink now-2021.

Food pairing ideas: apéritif, charcuterie and cheese, mackerel.

$ 20-$ 25

Riesling 2018, Baden, Weingut Burg Ravensburg, Germany white, $20.55, SAQ # 13453762.

Organic. Classic, almost dry German riesling. For those who are wary of riesling due to sugar, there's just a faint hint of sweetness on the finish — you hardly sense it. Instead, you get a load of fresh tropical fruit and melon, a hint of diesel and a driving mineral finish. For white wine lovers, and especially riesling fanatics, this is a must.

Grape variety: riesling.

Residual sugar: 6.8 g/l.

Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now2024.

Food pairing ideas: apéritif, grilled octopus, spicy seafood.

$25 AND UP

Pessac-léognan 2015, Château de Rouillac, France red, $55, SAQ # 12224669.

A warm vintage that produced some pretty burly wines for Bordeaux, but that's not the case here. While the fruit is rich and dark, and the tannins are very silky, there is a beautiful balance between heft and freshness. Carafe for an hour, and the aromatics are so enticing. The lengthy finish is all fruit and spice. Bigger than normal for a Bordeaux, but profoundly elegant.

Grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon, merlot.

Residual sugar: 1.2 g/l.

Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2030.

Food pairing idea: rib steak.