CELEBRATE LABOUR DAY WITH WORKHORSE REDS
It’s the Labour Day long weekend, a national holiday that celebrates working folks that dates back to 1872 in Canada, when a parade was held in support of the Toronto Typographical Union’s fight for a 58-hour workweek.
That was in December, but by the next September the Toronto Trades Assembly called out its 27 unions to further support the Typographical Union. Police arrested numerous union leaders, prompting another demonstration on September 3 to protest the arrests. By the time it was all resolved in 1894, parliament declared Labour Day to be an official holiday in Canada.
This week we introduce our annual fall workhorse reds to celebrate Labour Day. Unlike the old-fashioned tradition that frowns upon the wearing of white after Labour Day, there is no need to panic: we will remain fans of white wine throughout the winter.
The job of any workhorse red is to be widely available, tasty and affordable; no easy task in the modern wine business. Sources of such wines lead us to grapes like Malbec from Argentina; Garnacha/Monastrell or Grenache/ Mourvèdre from Spain and France, respectively; and Shiraz and Syrah from Chile, the south of France and Australia.
The styles all differ, but the texture and tannins for the most part are soft and round and inviting. They are often better served with food, usually something like grilled chicken or beef or even a piece of cheese. The protein helps to mitigate any youthful tannins or rough edges that tend dry out the palate, especially in the finish.
We love the value from Spain, and the many inexpensive red blends that dot our store shelves. At $8.99 (yes $8.99) the Castano La Casona and the Lujuria are amazing value.
Soft, juicy and fresh and using some combination of Monastrell, Merlot and Garnacha, these are true workhorse party wines.
France remains the master of the red blend, especially in the south.
Languedoc is the home of Cote Mas ($12.99), Paul Mas Malbec ($13.99), and Chapoutier Bila Haut ($15.79), to name but a few blends that mix and match Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre — over-delivering in flavour and price.
Argentina has the U.S. dollar to keep it in line, but you can still find some bargains in the Malbec department offering fairly suave tannins and juicy black fruit flavours.
Some of our favourites include Norton Barrel Select Malbec ($12.49), Malbec Pure ($13.99), Malbec Tinto Negro ($14.99) and the Crios Malbec by Susana Balbo ($16.99). Grilled steaks anyone? For Syrah/Shiraz lovers things are turning around in Australia at the entry level, with better balanced bottles with less added acid and more fruit. Chile can nail Syrah from time to time at great prices, as can the Languedoc. Our picks would include Gayda Three Winds Syrah, (Languedoc, $11.49), Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz, (Barossa Valley, Australia, $13.49), Emiliana Adobe Reserva Syrah (Colchagua, Chile, $13.49), Henry’s Morse Code Shiraz Padthaway (Australia, $13.49) and Chapoutier Tournon Mathilda Victoria (Australia, $18.49).
Enjoy the last few days of summer. As I write this I’m wrapping up a 75-plus hour work week in the high-tech age, showing you just how far we have come since the original Labour Day riots.