Each week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his best wine selections available at the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.
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Each week, Bill Zacharkiw identifies his best wine selections available at the SAQ and offers ideas for food pairings.
Announcement 2
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Less than $17
Pinot Noir 2021, Alpataco, Patagonia, Schroeder Family, Argentina red, $16.80, SAQ No. 14714493. A little more oak-driven than the last time I tried this wine, but the essentials remain the same: darker fruits and perfect pinot structure, with that balance between acidity and texture. This covers the mouth with velvet. I have tasted several very good inexpensive pinots from Patagonia. This is one of them. Variety of grapes: Pinot Noir. Residual sugar: 2.8g/l. Serve at: 16C. Drink now. Food pairing ideas: appetizer, grilled pork or chicken with shiitake mushrooms.
$17-$22
Douro 2019, Dourosa, Quinta de la Rosa, Portugal red, $21, SAQ No. 12640232. A full-bodied and fruit-rich Duero that will satisfy a wide range of palates. The fruit profile is impressive, showcasing everything from sun-roasted blackberry to black cherry and a hint of raisin. The tannins are firm but productive, and the finish is delicious fruitiness mixed with a hint of dry spice. For a “basic” Duero, there is a lot going on here. Bring the meat. Grape varieties: national touriga, frank touriga, roriz ink. Residual sugar: 3.3g/l. Serve at: 16-18C Drink Now-2026. Pairing idea: filet mignon with tamari and ginger marinade.
Announcement 3
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$22-$27
2020 Minervois, Le Régal, Le Loup Blanc, France Red, $22.65, SAQ No. 10405010. Organic. Did I ever love the carignan grape? Even when he is part of a mix, his character always comes through. When you give this wine a thoughtful sniff, you’ll find that characteristic juicy note. There’s a lot of dark fruit here too, but that wild character makes it so interesting. To add even more intrigue, I found notes of licorice, tarragon, and other herbs. The tannins are rich, textured and ripe, but still beg for a bit of fat. Great wine and lots of fun to drink. Grape varieties: carignan, grenache, syrah. Residual sugar: 1.4g/l. Serve at: 18C Drink Now- 2027. Food Pairing Ideas: Lamb chops with herbs de Provence and mint, merguez sausage.
Announcement 4
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$27 and up
Barbaresco 2019, Castello di Neive, Italy red, $40.25, SAQ #12466377. While this was around $30 a few years ago, it’s still a very decent bargain. Top appellation wines have skyrocketed in price recently, and Barbaresco is no different. This wine expresses everything I appreciate about a good Barbaresco, where the nebbiolo is more linear and structured than in Barolo. It’s still nebbiolo, with delicate, fresh cherries, spices and sticky tannins on the finish. It’s just a touch firmer, perhaps more Bordeaux-esque. Variety of grapes: Nebbiolo. Residual sugar: 1.9g/l. Serve at: 18C Drink Now-2026. Pairing idea: veal cutlet with mushrooms and dried thyme.