Bill Zacharkiw’s Wines of the Week: May 6, 2022

Every week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his top wine picks available at the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.

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Every week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his top wine picks available at the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.

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Under $17

Pinot Noir 2020, Rebel, Patagonia, Patagonian Secret, Argentina red, $16.35, SAQ # 14307396. Looking for a super-fresh red as an apéritif? This covers all the bases, with loads of red fruits and with enough acidity. While it’s on the lighter side of the spectrum, this is a rarity: a pinot noir at this price that actually tastes and drinks like pinot. The texture is dead-on, with its delicate mouthfeel and focused finish. Not the most complex wine, but for $16 and change, it’s great value. Grapevariety: pinot noir. Residual sugar: 1.6g/L. Serve at: 15 C Drink now. Food pairing ideas: apéritif, bruschetta, fish with tomato sauce.

$17-$20

Rueda 2020, Celeste, Miguel Torres, Spain white, $20, SAQ # 14822161. Rueda wines often lack flavour, but that’s not the case here. While the inclusion of sauvignon blanc alongside the more classic Verdejo might be cheating a touch, it certainly adds depth and aromatic complexity. Indeed, this is a powerful white, loaded with citrus and with a bit of an herbal note. Aged on its lees, the mouth is creamy and richer than expected. Remove a unique wine. I’m keeping my second bottle for asparagus season. Grape varieties: Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc. Residual sugar: 2g/L. Serve at: 8-10C Drink now-2024. Food pairing ideas: apéritif, ceviche with coriander, asparagus with goat cheese.

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$20-$25

Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2019, Le Pigeoulet, Frédéric and Daniel Brunier, France red, $23.70, SAQ # 14822646. The boys at the iconic Châteauneuf winery Vieux Télégraphe seem to have branched out from their domain, and we are lucky for it. They are masters of grenache, and it shows in this wine. There’s that characteristic “iron” feel to it. It’s soft and silky like Châteauneuf, but the other grapes in the blend add some angular tannins, as well as a meatier and more savage finish. You can feel the altitude in this wine, with a cooling minty note that carries through from start to finish. got lamb? This would be killer. Grape varieties: grenache, carignan, cinsault, syrah. Residual sugar: 2g/L. Serve at: 16C Drink now-2024. Food pairing ideas: lamb chops with mint.

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$25 and up

2018 Merlot, Napa Valley, Peter Franus, California red, $49, SAQ # 13601420. Guilty pleasure time. I much prefer merlot to cabernet sauvignon in Napa, and this Carneros-grown cuvée is one of my favorites. I have many vintages stacked up in my cellar and am definitely adding this one to the pile. This has such a beautiful balance. Such harmony. So much complexity. You get those classic merlot darker plum notes, a hint of tobacco and a slight herbal note I couldn’t quite identify. A silky mouth, but not heavy or cloying. Can’t wait to see how this tastes in a few years, but it drinks beautifully right now. Grapevariety: merlot. Residual sugar: 1.2g/L. Serve at: 18 C Drink now-2028. Food pairing ideas: filet mignon with red wine and herb sauce.