The return of the Bad Grapes podcast

DAY

After a healthy summer break, Les Méchants Raisins are back in your ears for a fourth season of their podcast on QUB.

Every week, Nadia Fournier, Mathieu Turbide and I work hard to help you discover several new products, but also hidden gems from the world of wine. On the menu, several debates, specialized guests, producers and live tastings. This year, a few new features have been added to better involve the public: the bottle fight which will pit two columnists against the Top 3 of the world of wine. Listeners will thus be asked to decide on the choice of columnists with the possibility of winning a few wines. The first episode is already online on QUB. You only need one bottle to fully embark with us.

Drink less. Drink better.

Rocca di Montemassi, Le Focaie 2019, Maremma Toscana

★★ | $1⁄2 | $16.15 | Italy 13.5% | 3 g/L

SAQ code: 11184968

Focaie, which means “flint”, takes its name from the rich mineral deposits of Maremma, in Tuscany. After the malolactic fermentation, the wine is placed for 12 months in French oak barrels of 350 liters. It's not the most spectacular red, but we are charmed by its scents of violet, cherry and a touch of wood. It is ample, juicy with smooth tannins and a fairly good length. Perfect with a good weekday spag.

Celler Credo, Miranius 2021, Penedès

★★★ | $$1⁄2 | $20.00 | Spain 11% | 1 g/L – Organic

SAQ code: 12866557

Xarel-lo (pronounced “cha-rel-lo”) is a grape variety mainly used for cava, the sparkling wine of Catalonia, in northeastern Spain. Vinified as a “still” wine by Recaredo (a small producer who produces excellent cava), this Miranius cuvée is distinguished by its slightly austere nose, but just as complex with tones of chalk, hay and yellow fruits. Quite dry and carried by a vibrant acidity, the wine does not lack volume and has a fairly long persistence marked by salinity. A structured wine that will do wonders as an aperitif and with a few oysters.

Corinne and Jean Pierre Grossot, Chablis premier cru Les Fourneaux 2019

★★★★ | $$$$1⁄2 | $52.25 | France 13% | 1.4 g/L – Organic

SAQ code: 14674410

Newly certified organic family estate whose style of wines is more traditional, more austere and tense in youth with a “minerality” – the stony/chalky/wet wool side – which is expressed directly. As its name suggests, Les Fourneaux designates a warm “climate”. Even better than the 2018 (which was already delicious), the wine presents itself with a dense body and energetic acidity. Tones of tangerine, apricot, rubbed pebbles and a touch of menthol. It is long with a material that lines the palate while remaining airy. Do not hesitate to give it a little air, knowing that it should give the best of itself in 3 to 4 years. Not cheap, but the quality is undeniable.

Fabien Jouves, Haute Côt(e) de Fruit 2020, Cahors

★★★ | $$1⁄2 | $19.95 | France 13% | 1.5 g/L – Organic

SAQ code: 14071934

A creative winemaker cultivating his vines organically and biodynamically, Fabien Jouves uses his grapes a bit like Burgundy, which gives wines focused on the purity of the fruit and elegant tannins. This is precisely the case with this 100% Malbec (called the “côt” in the Cahors region, hence the pun with the name of the wine) which presents itself with impressive clarity. Scents of strawberry, plum and a touch of spice. It is drinkable with a supple tannic structure. Serve quite chilled (45 minutes in the fridge).

Zuani, Sodevo 2020, Collio

★★★ | $$1⁄2 | $25.10 | Italy 12.5% ​​| 2.9 g/L

SAQ code: 14948804

Located in the far northeast of Italy, in the Friuli region, the region of Collio Goriziano is best known for the production of its white wines. Considered the oldest grape variety in the area, ribolla gialla is vinified here partly with the skins of the grapes, which explains why the SAQ considers the wine to be “orange”, but it is rather a real skin maceration giving a golden robe. A bewitching nose of jasmine, citrus fruits and yellow apple gives way to a fleshy palate guided by precise acidity. Good persistence and nice discovery.

Correct ★

Good ★★

Very good ★★★

Excellent ★★★★

Exceptional ★★★★★

More stars than dollars: well worth the price

As many stars as dollars: worth the price

Fewer stars than dollars: wine is expensive