Bill Zacharkiw’s Wines of the Week: August 5, 2022

Each week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his best wine selections available in the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.

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Each week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his best wine selections available in the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.

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Less than $17

Douro 2020, Flor de Crasto, Quinta Do Crasto, Portugal red, $15.25, SAQ No. 10838579. This vintage has a bit more power and torque than previous incarnations, and that’s okay. The aromatics focus on dark fruit and florals. The tannins have a decent grip, but are not drying in the least. The surprise here is the finish, which shows extra length and richer texture than I’ve grown accustomed to with this wine. Great value. Grape varieties: roriz ink, french touriga, national touriga. Residual sugar: 2.4g/l. Serve at: 16C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: appetizer, stir fry with oyster sauce and ginger.

$17-$22

Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence 2021, Château Revelette, Rosé from France, $21.80, SAQ No. 13212002. Organic. One of my favorite winery rosés. I made sure to restock this crop as my 2020 didn’t last long until this summer. Simply put, this is one of the classiest rosés on the market. The aromas are so nuanced and complex, with a mix of fruits, flowers and dried herbs. On the palate it is textured and full without losing freshness. The finish has a good grip. and is remarkably long for a rosé wine. Although it wins with a year in the bottle, right now it is delicious. Perfect if you want a rosé to drink for a few days. Grape varieties: grenache, cinsault, ugni blanc, cariñena. Residual sugar: 1.2g/l. Serve at: 8-12C Drink Now-2023. Food pairing ideas: niçoise salad, shrimp and shellfish Provençal style.

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$22-$27

Vino da Tavola, Fiasco, Monte Bernardi, red Italy, $24.75 (1 L), SAQ #14989850. Organic. Please note that the price is for one liter, so this comes at around $18.50 for 750 ml. From one of the best producers in Chianti comes a red true to the spirit of Vino da Tavola. This is everything you could wish for in a table wine. There’s a ton of fresh fruit, just a touch of leather and a hint of herbs on the finish. The tartness keeps it super fresh, so it works great as an appetizer. You know those drinks that people talk about when they visit Italy and have an amazing local wine in a carafe? This is one of them. Grape varieties: barbera, malvasia nera, montepulciano, sangiovese. Residual sugar: 1.8g/l. Serve at: 15C Drink now. Food pairing ideas: appetizer, pizza, pasta with tomato and meat sauce.

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$27 and up

Sancerre 2018, Cuvée Phillipa, Domaine Paul Cherrier, White France, $39.75, SAQ No. 13448091. Very special blood. Since it spends some time in the barrel, which is rare for a Sancerre, you get a fuller, more textured palate. But there is more than enough intensity and concentration in the juice that you won’t taste the oak. While the mid palate expands and fills the mouth, the finish is where the salty mineral note takes over. This wine ends on the tip of a pin. So much focus. It’s just acids and salt. This is why Sauvignon Blanc is considered such an exceptional grape. Variety of grapes: sauvignon blanc. Residual sugar: 1.6g/l. Serve at: 8-12C Drink Now-2026. Food pairing ideas: appetizer, Rockefeller oysters, lighter fish accompanied by Greek salad with lots of feta.