If you like the fruit-forward Australian Shiraz-style wines, you’ll find a good bargain from South Africa. It’s a deeply coloured wine with a smoky, savoury nose. The initial flavour of sweet blackberries mellows to an earthy, herbal dryness. A lot of flavour and complexity for the price.
One of BC’s more noteworthy “cocktail” blends, made with no less than 10 different varieties, though primarily Gewürztraminer (22%), Pinot Gris (21%), Viognier (20%) and Optima (13%). Tropical, peach and citrus on the nose with a hint of honey before a fresh, lively, slightly off-dry palate of stone fruit and zesty notes with grapefruit through a lengthy end.
This Rio de Janerio brewery hopped to Canada, landing in Toronto before moving to their permanent home in Montreal. Helmed by talented brewer, Patricia Rios, their Hazy drinks like a glorious tropical fruit bomb. Peaches and fresh mango mark the nose, cotton candy washes over the palate, drying out in the finish. Try this full, creamy New England style IPA with Mexican, Thai or a fresh bowl loaded with fresh herbs and all the veggies.
A blend of 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay. Strawberry, cherry, earth, yeast and toast are all present on a creamy texture. Combined with great length and fresh acid, it makes for a splendid pairing with duck rillettes or charcuterie.
Clear very deep crimson. Luscious aromas of cassis, treacle toffee and sweet Amaretto-like oak, with some earthiness from the Merlot. Ripe red berry fruit and brandy chocolate on the palate is supported by high acidity and noticeable tannins, but the flavours are mature, so drink this year. Terrific with a beefy, cheesy meat pie.
Syrah plus 4% Viognier. Côte Rôtie‒inspired blend yields deep inky indigo in the glass with aromas of cassis and black cherry followed by a palate of plush and plummy intense blue fruit. Leathery, peppery, meaty edge, assertive mouthfeel and viscous with a definite black-pepper finish.
Complex nose of black fruits, blueberry, anise and some notes of torrefaction (roasting, toasting). The palate follows with an intense flavour, a thick texture and wrapped, finely grained tannins. Finish is firm with a good length. No rush to open this Bordeaux blend, even if it’s very good already.