Food and Wine
Wine Pick of the Week
By DJ Kearney published Nov 17, 2011
Best-value bottles to drink, right now
February 2, 2012
Boutinot Chat-en-Oeuf Rosé 2010
$12.99
France +823229
Dry and savoury, this stimulating southern Rosé combines lightness with full flavour. Wild berries meet herbal flavours and white pepper notes for a Rosé that is delish to sip on its own, but emphatic enough for food. Made from the classic trio of Cinsault (50 percent), Grenache (30 percent), and Syrah. Lifts steamed mussels, crab cake, or fiery chipotle pork burgers.
Let's raise our glasses to Australia Day, celebrated annually on January 26th, commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove in 1788. Eleven square riggers set sail from England, established a penal colony and claimed the land in the name of King George III. Vines were planted by these first settlers and viticulture slowly but surely blossomed in the nearby Hunter Valley, just north of Sydney Cove. Since then vines have spread south- and westwards across the continent, and Australia now ranks 7th in world wine production, flanked by Argentina and Chile. The focus in Australia today is on the premium end of the spectrum, with wines magnificently expressive of Oz's diverse winegrowing regions, microclimates, and geologic nuance. Of course the Australian Open finals are this weekend, giving us extra inspiration to sip from down undah. We might even forgive Lleyton Hewitt for eliminating our young tennis star, Milos Raonic. Maybe...
EVANS & TATE METRICUP ROAD CHARDONNAY 2009
$19.99
France +379149
Margaret River is one of Australia's astonishingly cool regions, in both senses of the word. Cool, as in hip, because this off-the-beaten-path western region (well known to surfers), has a fanatical following of wine lovers; and cool as in chilly, because the surrounding oceans keep temperatures moderate, and breezes stiff. That results in wines that have slowly and perfectly ripened fruit with elegant lines and well-etched, fresh acidity. Evans & Tate Metricup Road is a lovely expression of sensitively French-oaked Chardonnay, with scents of peaches, baked apples, and crisp citrus, melon and shortbread flavours. This fruit bounty is kept nicely tight and trim with tangy acidity and fine minerals, reflecting the Margaret River climate and terroir. And all this for under $20. Shrimp on the barbie, of course, or lemon-squeezed grilled fish.
Find more best-value medium whites
ST. HALLET GAMEKEEPER'S SHIRAZ GRENACHE 2010
$15.99
Australia +532176
One of the acknowledged value wines of the world, the Gamekeeper's Reserve is also a delicious example of Oz's two signature red grapes, Shiraz and Grenache, grown in South Australia's Barossa region. Perhaps it is the splash of Portugal's famous Port grape Touriga Nacional that makes this 2010 edition so plummy. The emphasis is on gloriously ripe fruit, with intense aromas of dried blueberries, plums, juicy currants, and a menthol note. Flavours unfurl in the mouth, with dark fruit compote and warm spice. This dry red has gentle tannins and a lush/juicy texture. Meant for drinking in its jubilant youth, it will keep you company watching tennis or, if it is time for food, with a heroically big bacon mushroom cheeseburger.
Find more best-value medium reds
Monday, January 23rd, China time (Tuesday, January 22nd, Pacific time) marks the start of Chinese New Year and ushers in the Year of The Dragon. An auspicious, noble creature, the Dragon is the mightiest of the Chinese zodiac signs, and symbolizes character traits of dominance and ambition. Passionate risk-takers, they live their lives in grand fashion, and often by their own rules. Wines can be like Dragons too, and we have picked two wines that smack you around the chops, latch on to your tastebuds, and simply will not let go ... in the best possible way, you understand.
$13.99
France +15100
A feminine, Dragon-like wine, this Viognier shows off a perfumed nose with honeysuckle and apricot scents. Stonefruit, mixed dried peel, and spice-box flavours swell in the mouth, with an oily texture and warm, savoury finish. Viognier is an aromatic grape at home in the Rhone Valley and the south of France, and this bargain comes from the sunny Languedoc. Well made, well priced, and tasty with Chinese New Year dinner leftovers.
Find more best-value rich whites
JACKSON-TRIGGS OKANAGAN SUNROCK VINEYARD MERITAGE 2007
$35
B.C. +985556
Every year it seems that a wine from the privileged SunRock Vineyard appears on our winning list. Last year it was the 2007 Syrah, and this year, the 2007 Meritage captured our judges' palates. And no surprise, given how consistently fabulous the fruit is from SunRock Vineyard, where it soaks up glorious sun by day, and is gently cooled by nighttime Osoyoos Lake breezes, a couple hundred feet below. The 2007 Meritage sports ultra-ripe Merlot (50%), Cabernet Franc (40%) and Cabernet Sauvignon aged in flavourful oak barrels for 18 months. Dense, dried berried fruit, exotic spice, and the smoothest tannins imaginable. Big and full in the mouth with a finish as long as a dragon's tail.
Find more best-value rich reds
Our two picks this week are comforting cold weather wines to sip whilst you browse recipes, forage for dinner in the fridge, or simply kick back and order some good Chinese take-away.
PFAFFENHEIN GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2009
$19.99
France +612119
Hedonistically aromatic, good Gewürztraminer smells of lychee, peaches, oranges, and rosewater. The flavours are just as exotic, with added spice, honey and an intriguing sausage or bacon fat character. This Alsatian beauty delivers textbook Gewürztraminer character in a rich and creamy winter white. Absolutely built for pork, whether it's pan-fried chops, plump bangers and mash, or a spicy Chinese pork dish.
Find more best-value rich whites
$19.99
USA +170951
If you love your wines big, bold, and bossy, then this exuberant Sonoma red is for you. One of our Rich Red winners, Tribunal scored points with the judges for its explosive fruit and powerful structure. Marvellously ripe fruit is a chewy blend of 32% Syrah, 28% Zin, 13 % Petite Sirah, 9% Sangiovese, 7% Grenache, 5% Barbera, 3% Cab Franc, 2% Primitivo, and 1% Merlot (whew), that luxuriates in barrel for 15 months. Ready to drink with some robust eats like meatball pizza, mole shortribs, Cajun blackened steak, or take-out orange peel beef.
Find more best-value rich reds
January 5, 2012
Happy New Year and let's raise our glasses to eating, drinking and living well for another year. Killer-value wine is what we need now, to stave off vague feelings of buyer's remorse after the holidays, and our two penny-pinching picks deliver phenomenal taste and value.
FINCA LA CHEMIZA POLO AMATEUR TORRONTES 2011
$12
Argentina +167262 (ONLY AVAILABLE IN PRIVATE WINE STORES)
Mendoza-based Finca La Chemiza pays tribute to a pick-up style of polo with this casual, frisky aromatic white. The grape, Torrontés, is a true Argentine native (a chance crossing of Muscat of Alexandria and Mission) with marvellous rose petal and mandarin peel aromas. Fruity/dry, the limey acidity keeps orange creamsicle flavours lively and fresh from front to back. Chill throughly, sip gratefully, then sit back and congratulate your perspicacious economy. Maybe even enjoy a frosty glass at 10 am this Saturday morning to help you through Canucks v Boston (with a cheesy, herbal omelette, of course)!
Find more best-value light whites
$9.99
Italy +619163
Farnese stormed the market years ago with a bargain priced Sangiovese, and since then, B.C. wine lovers have embraced the Primitivo just as enthusiastically. Clever genetic sleuthing has uncovered that Primitivo and Zinfandel are clones of the same variety, and certainly there is a strong family resemblance of plummy, figgy fruit and attractive spice. The 2009 Farnese Primitivo is fruit-forward, nicely balanced and oh-so-easy to drink. Buy some lean ground beef or pork for your favourite meatloaf recipe, wrap the loaf in bacon and bake, then serve with mashed spuds and steamed veg. The Primitivo will obligingly do its job.
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