WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2016, Marche, Italy $17.99 | 88/100
UPC: 8032853721124
Verdicchio is born with a brightness and a freshness that props up its nutty, fruity, buttery tones. The attack is clean, offering bits of peaches, guava and the all-important minerality that keeps it on the rails. A simple, delicious, food wine that pairs well with seafood, pesto pasta and or grilled vegetables. Super value, too.
Roubine La Vie en Rosé 2016, Côtes de Provence, France
$22.99 | 90/100
UPC: 3760105790417
Roubine has that million-dollar, super-light Provençal pink colour. This historical property was owned by the Templar Knights until 1307. On offer here is a super fresh, elegant, barely fruited, almost watery rosé made from Syrah, Grenache, Vermentino, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Do what the French do and serve it with tomatoes, fish, chicken, or alongside a charcuterie plate of cheese and meats, and have fun.
Les Cretes Mon Blanc N/V, Italy $27.99 | 89/100
UPC: 8033055439992
A busy mix of indigenous and vinifera grapes make up the Mon Blanc property blend that sees no oak, but does undergo six months of “sur lies” maturation with continual batônnage, or stirring. The style is juicy, with a mix of fresh fruit reminiscent of peaches and green apple and the aforementioned lees, with a fresh, citrus, stony undercurrent. Perfectly dry, it will go with most seafood options including white fish, clams, mussels and crab.
Desert Hills Gamay 2016, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley
$19.90 | 88/100
UPC: 892499000032
This is textbook Gamay: fresh, sweet fruit with a raspberry/strawberry undercurrent and some spice. The textures are soft and round, and very sippable. The hedonists will like the style, but the cork dorks will want just a little more minerality, and a little less fruit. Ready and fun to drink now. Try it with your favourite pizza or chicken dish. Private wine shops.
CedarCreek Pinot Noir 2015, Okanagan Valley $24.49 | 87/100
UPC: 778913032523
The 2015 Pinot Noir comes off five separate vineyard blocks. Raspberry jam, cassis, black plum, ripe blackberry, and wood spice fills this dense and warm Pinot, a complete swing on the spectrum from their lean, herbal and tart styles of times past. Tannins are gritty, but ripe. A warm, simple, juicy style you can drink now with salmon burgers or turkey paillard.