Well, I tried a lot more wines at the Grande Dégustation awhile back in Montreal, and it’s about time I do some much needed advertisement for them. So in the spirit of sharing good spirits, I’m going to start up a mini-series on wine recommendations for all those Christmas presents you’re going to want to buy for the wine lovers in your life. That was a lovely sentence, wasn’t it? Wine lovers. Lovers of wine??? Or lovers who enjoy wine?
My favourites include everything from splurge-worthy, high quality, private import bottles that maybe require a case-sized investment (well worth it) to single, affordable bottles available at most Canadian liquor stores (links to SAQ’s where available).
The first:
Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Chabot Vineyard 2007 ($71.97 in Newfoundland; not available in Quebec)
Hailing from the Napa Valley, this Cabernet Sauvignon cost 8 coupons, meaning it’s expensive. So this is the real splurge wine of the reds. Rated 93 points on Wine Spectator (I checked post-tasting), if I had $90 and a very good wine-loving friend (or wine lover), this is the bottle I’d buy for him or her. It’s rich, full-bodied, not too dry, not too fruity, not too acidic.
Stuff you don’t really need to know: 2 years aging, and a “minimalist approach to wine-making” make this a not too oaky red.
Stuff you do need to know: It’s almost drinkable on its own, but I’m dreaming of red meat with cherry sauce, a mild mole chicken, or a lamb tajine with dried apricots. Or with chocolate for dessert. No red wine sauces or spicy dishes that will battle it out for meal flavour domination.
Cazes Cotes du Roussillon Marie Gabrielle 2007 (the 2009 is $18.50 at the SAQ; not available in Newfoundland. Fairly similar, but both are worthwhile)
Languedoc-Roussillon, France in all its glory. All natural, biodynamic. Yes, that involves moon cycles and animal parts, so it’s like the mystical equivalent of homeopathic medicine but for wine, and much more delicious. It’s a syrah, and it’s spicy, dry, and oh-so-terroir-tasting. Nothing added to mask that rich soil. Not that it tastes like the earth necessarily. Just that it tastes raw and real, as opposed to masked and sugared or…coated. Make sense? No? Try it.
Stuff you maybe do need to know: With yet more red meat, but also definitely with tomato ragouts of all sorts. Even seafood, but rich seafood that needs just a bit of acidity: Risotto with shredded duck leg and salty, Romano or Parmiggiana cheese, grilled mackerel with roasted fennel (it cuts the oil like a dream). Actually, with just about anything. Coq au vin. Lovely.
Chateau le Puy 2006 Cotes de Franc ($25.75 at the SAQ; not available in Newfoundland)
Heads up on this one. There’s a wine of the same name that costs a fair bit less but it’s not agrobiologique (organic). This is the one you want. You can also step it up price-wise to the Barthémély line. The 2000 and 2005 are both avaialble in Quebec for just below and just above the $100 range. That’s a hefty price tag when you can get this stellar offering for a fair chunk less.
Stuff you probably don’t need to know: It’s a Bordeaux from JP & P Amoreau, which comes with some clout. While a lot of less expensive Bordeaux are very much worthwhile, often without a lot of chemicals added and offering a rich, pleasing taste and a aroma, this one is very available and well-respected.
Stuff you probably do need to know: It’s a great value on a Bordeaux. Only with a main meal, since it probably can’t handle an appetizer. Personally I think it’s too powerful for anything cream-based, most vegetarian dishes and even fois gras. But where it shines is with osso buco, lamb shanks, and the meat of the duck (confit leg, breast), anything tartar, sustainable tuna in a big (in terms of flavour) sauce, though generally too much for most other fish. It would be a waste of good scallops. Kind of like the school bully picking on the kid with the taped-up glasses. It’s just not fair.
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