When I go shopping for wines with the intention of writing a column on some of them, I don’t always go into the ANBL with a theme in mind. More often than not I am looking to be guided either by new listings, wines on sale, or just random inspiration. Sometimes the theme doesn’t come to mind until I have tasted enough wines, and saved the best bottles, only to come up with an idea a few weeks later.
This week’s column is a case of the latter. I’m recommending a mix of tasty whites and reds, and one bubbly, that, sadly, are not as much of a value as they were before the GST holiday ended. Oh, well, back to reality.
I have a couple of oddballs for you to try, plus some new brands from appellations I’ve visited before.
Bouchard Aine & Fils Brut de Chardonnay, $29.99, France, PC: 3340180011937
First time I’ve tried this bubbly from one of Burgundy’s largest producers. It’s not bottle fermented (so it is not a Cremant de Bourgogne) but is aged on fine lees for three months and stirred daily in the tank, and a part of the base wine has been aged with oak, which helps to give a nice creamy texture and more complexity.
Sommelier’s Tip: Poor person’s Champagne, great for starting off dinner parties or toasting at a wedding celebration.
Chinchero Criolla Organic, 2023, Mendoza, Argentina, $17.29 (reduced from $23), PC: 7798108441490
This is an oddball, made from Criolla, the original vinifera grape in North and South America, also known as Mission in California and by other names, including Pais and its original Spanish name Listán Prieto. This light coloured red has nice fruity and floral notes and very low tannins. It’s almost more like a rosé, tasty and refreshing.
Sommelier’s Tip: Serve chilled and enjoy on its own or with appetizers like cheese and charcuterie.
Rayo de Luna Torrontes Chardonnay, 2022, Argentina, $17.99, PC: 836864002375
A dry, biodynamic blend of 70% Torrontes and 30% Chardonnay, an unusual blend, which has the typical floral and tropical character from Torrontes, plus the freshness of unoaked Chardonnay
Sommelier’s Tip: A good all around dry, fruity white that works with seafood and salads.
Anciano Tinto Douro, 2021, Portugal, $20.79, PC: 5060108906012
While Anciano is mainly a Spanish winery they make some Portuguese wines including this really tasty, dry and fruity red made from a blend of Douro grapes, including mainly Touriga Naçional, Touriga Franca and Tempranillo. It is mostly fruit driven, but there are spicy, toasty oak complexities.
Sommelier’s Tip: Perfect for beef or lamb stews and red meat dishes in general.
Casal Garcia Vinho Verde, Portugal, $15.99, PC: 5601096208308
It is nice to see a new (to me, anyway) Vinho Verde and I really like this one. It is not too fizzy, and has really fresh, fruity flavours, without much of the grassiness that is typical for budget wines from the region.
Sommelier’s Tip: In the region we drank this kind of wine with a whole range of foods at buffet style meals, including grilled fish, salads, potatoes, olives, cheese and cured meats.
Cheers!
Craig
Craig Pinhey is a Sommelier and New Brunswick’s beverage columnist, for over 20 years. Check out his FB page: www.facebook.com/craig.pinhey or follow on Twitter @frogspadca or Instagram @brufrogd