Bill Zacharkiw’s Wines of the Week: January 7, 2022

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

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

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Less than $ 17

Patras 2020, Roditis, Domaine Tetramythos, Greek white, $ 16.35, SAQ No. 12484575. Organic. Wonderfully simple. A great option for those looking for a fresh and fruity white wine. It is mainly citric with a touch of stone fruit and white flowers; a lean and refreshing palate with a salty and mineral finish. So clean, so precise. It was the perfect match for the raw oysters. A wine that is drunk with a certain abandon. Variety of grapes: rhoditis Residual sugar: 1.2 g / l. Serve in: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: appetizer, fried calamari, raw oysters.

$ 17- $ 20

Alma Negra 2018, A. Bartholomaus and E. Catena, Argentina red, $ 19.95, SAQ No. 11156895. This was not available for the past few months so I can imagine fans of this wine must have had withdrawal symptoms. I don’t know of many other wines under $ 20 that can deliver the same degree of power, texture, and richness without being over the top. The tannins and acidity are enough to hold it together as a coherent whole. It is loaded with fruit at the beginning, earthy notes on tap, and notes of spice at the end. A very accessible beast of wine. Grape varieties: malbec, bonarda. Residual sugar: 3.2 g / l. Serve in: 16C. Drink now-2025. Pairing idea: T-bone with spicy steak.

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$ 20- $ 25

Bourgogne 2020, Mineral Emotions, La Chablisienne, France white, $ 21.15, SAQ No. 13946760. With prices on the rise due to some difficult vintages, finding an affordable, terroir-based white burgundy will become a real chore. This cuvée from one of the best cooperatives in the world will definitely be on my list. While it exhibits a richer palate than most Chablis, it has the same salty and mineral lip-smacking finish. It displays classic notes of green apple, lemon curd, and a light herbal note to add depth. Very good value for money here. Variety of grapes: Chardonnay. Residual sugar: 1.4 g / l. Serve in: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: appetizer, mussels, shrimp with herbs.

$ 25 and up

Côtes du Rhône 2019, Coudoulet de Beaucastel, France red, $ 30.25, SAQ No. 973222. There’s the generic Côtes du Rhône, and then there’s the Coudoulet de Famille Perrin. It really is a very different beast, and if a Côtes du Rhône can ever be referred to as a baby Châteauneuf, this is it. The Grenache is deep, iron and wild while maintaining its silky texture. Syrah and mourvèdre add structure, drive, and darker notes of fruit and earth. It really is a beautiful and interesting wine, and one that can age for at least a decade. Grape varieties: Garnacha, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault. Residual sugar: 2.4 g / l. Serve in: 18C Drink now-2029. Pairing idea: roast chicken with mushrooms.