Bill Zacharkiw Wines of the Week: October 8, 2021

Each week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his best selections of wines available at the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia can earn an affiliate commission for purchases made through the links on this page.

Article content

Each week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his best selections of wines available at the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.

Article content

Less than $ 17

Regional Wine Peninsula de Setúbal 2020, Adega de Pegões, Portugal white, $ 13, SAQ # 10838801. A richer white that focuses less on the fruit, more on a longer buttery texture. The fruit is there, with subtle notes of peach and pear, but it dissipates quickly, leaving a nice buttery, almond, and spice finish. Very good all-purpose white. Grape varieties: chardonnay, arinto, antão vaz. Residual sugar: 5.2 g / L. Serve in: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: appetizer, spicy seafood, seafood pasta in cream sauce.

$ 17- $ 20

Pekin Red 2016, Jonty’s Ducks, Paarl, Avondale Trust, South Africa Red, $ 17.05, SAQ # 14446089. Organic. The ducks in question eat the bad critters in the vineyard, which is part of the organic approach to growing grapes. Nice story, but the result is more important, and this wine is very good. Medium weight wine that shows great complexity, from darker fruit notes to black olives, with a very spicy and spicy finish. The tannins still adhere well and are drying out enough to bring you back for more. Grape varieties: syrah, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc. Residual sugar: 3.2 g / L. Serve in: 16 C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: appetizer, bavette with red wine sauce.

Article content

$ 20- $ 25

Tuscany IGT 2019, NC, Argiano, Italy red, $ 22.70, SAQ # 11269401. Even better than he remembered. This wine is a wonderful blend of power and elegance. Very Left Bank Bordeaux in style, with its blackberry and earth notes, and those rich but finely sharp tannins. On the mid palate it shows a pleasant silkiness and the finish remains fruity but with spices driven by oak. The characteristic freshness of Tuscany is also there. At this price, buy a bunch if you can. I would love to drink this again in two to three years. Grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sangiovese, syrah. Residual sugar: 2.8 g / L. Serve in: 16-18 C. Drink now-2025. Food pairing idea: grilled beef with mushrooms and roasted beets.

$ 25 and up

Saint-Péray 2019, Pierre Gaillard, France white, $ 29, SAQ # 13387312. One of the most unique and underrated appellations of white wines. The slopes of Saint-Péray are located in the north of the Rhône, south of Cornas. As with most of the central Rhône, the grapes are roussanne and marsanne, but here the finish is more salty and mineral than the typical rich and unctuous. This wine endures in the most surprising and brilliant way. In the mouth it is sensual. The aromatics are subtle but very attractive. Just wow. Grape varieties: Marsanne, Roussanne. Residual sugar: 1.4 g / L. Serve in: 16 C. Drink now-2024. Food pairing idea: Lobster or scallops with garlic butter.