Gentle, fresh lemon citrus and stone fruit with subtle floral scents open the way for clean fresh citrus and ripe apple, rounded out with zesty acidity and a touch of mineral in the mouth. Will work equally well as an apéritif or with canapés and lighter foods.
Crustacés means shellfish — a clear indication of what she paired with this crisp white wine. A blend of Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc; there is apple, citrus, melon and mineral. Chill well and drink up.
From a stony, west facing slope on Naramata Bench, once an ancient lakeshore. Lifted red berries, strawberry and cherry notes with earthy hints precede a structured and well-balanced palate of pure fruit with a touch of spice, wrapped in mouth watering, juicy acidity with well integrated, approachable tannins from judicious new and used oak, through a lengthy finish.
Exceptional value, showing typical red currant and red berry fruit with a judicious pinch of fine spice, firm dry tannins that are showing some softening, and well integrated fruit, spice and oak on the finish.
Caves São João was established in 1920 by brothers José, Manuel and Albano Costa. After initially specializing in selling Douro wines, they turned their focus on their home region of Bairrada. This reserva bruto is a classical method dry, toasty blend of Bical, Chardonnay, Maria Gomes and Arinto, fermented in stainless before a year on lees in bottle. Ripping acidity lifts bitter lemon, pear skin, green fruits, dried chamomile flowers, with a finish verging on harsh due to the bracing acids. Suitable for an apéritif with olives, anchovies or bacalhau croquettes with aioli.
The fresh nose wafts scents of floral, herbs and raspberry bush. Vibrant acidity, taut texture and lighter-bodied frame enhance its red-berry flavour and lingering mineral finish, flecked by cranberry and rhubarb. Serve slightly chilled to brighten its earthy fruit. Very vegetarian-friendly.
Walk 5 miles outside of Shawnee National Forest in Illinois and you’ll stumble upon one of the most picturesque places to drink beer in the world: Scratch Brewing Company. Nestled among the forest, the small brewery forages ingredients from the land — hickory, oyster mushrooms, marigolds — and often ferments with a funky, wild house yeast culture. The effect mesmerizes the senses: the Single Tree Hickory has aromas of olive brine with hickory smoke and a Flanders red-like tang on the palate. Rustic and complex, it actually tastes like a tree. But it goes deeper, with a flavour that captures a distinct memory of a day spent outdoors. Scratch’s beers are rare, often only available at the brewery and select bottle shops — but worth the effort.