MISE À DAY
After two years of the pandemic, in-person wine shows are finally back!
Lovers of “i. p. will first meet today at the 2022 Private Import Wine Show, at the Bonsecours Market in Montreal until October 17, and on October 18 at the Voltigeurs de Québec Armory. More than 1,200 products from 23 countries, many winegrowers and, of course, the possibility of ordering and mixing at will among 600 wines, beers and privately imported spirits offered individually. Find out more here: www.importation-privee.com. It continues next weekend with La Grande Dégustation de Montréal 2022, which will take place from October 20 to 22 at the Grand Quai du Port de Montréal. This is a first in this magnificent bright space. Visitors will be able to meet 280 exhibitors from 25 countries, representing more than 1,600 products from 80 wine regions. That said, five wine regions will be particularly honoured: Abruzzo (Italy), Alsace (France), Portugal, as well as the states of Washington and California (United States). For more information, visit www.lagrandedegustation.com. It all makes me thirsty. Here are five suggestions for this week.
Drink less. Drink better.
Bodegas Latue, Wine by Nature du Vin 2020, Castile
★★1⁄2 | $ | $10.65 | Spain 12.5% | 3.2 g/L – Organic
SAQ code: 14294214
In the low-price department, this white produced by the Latue cooperative cellar, which has more than 600 producers, is among the best. It is mainly composed of airén, a variety little known outside of Spain, but which is nevertheless the most planted grape variety in this country. Possessing a low acidity, it is assembled here with a little Sauvignon. Nothing complex, of course, but there is freshness, ripe fruitiness, restraint and, above all, undeniable drinkability. Plus, it's organic.
Laderas de Montejurra, Emilio Valerio 2019, Navarra
★★★ | $$ | $18.05 | Spain 14.5% | 1.4 g/L – Organic
SAQ code: 14182458
If you love Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines but are struggling to find any or find the prices have gotten a little too high, here's a great substitute. Mainly composed of Grenache with a little Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo, the wine stands out for its roundness and its velvety mouthfeel. Notes of kirch, liquorice, sponge toffee and sweet spices perfume the glass. It is certainly powerful, but the fruity mass balances the whole brilliantly.
Fattoria Lavacchio Cedro Chianti Rufina 2019
★★★ | $$ | $22.25 | Italy 14% | 1.3 g/L – Organic
SAQ code: 14460411
This is one of the best Chiantis around $20 currently available at the SAQ. The Rufina sub-zone is located in the far north of the Chianti appellation, mainly northeast of Florence, near Montefiesole with one of the highest altitudes in the region (around 400 m). Pure Sangiovese with notes of cherry, cedar, violet and a touch of balsamic. It is ample and structured while having a lot of freshness and nice bitterness on the finish.
Domaine du Mont Épin, Mâcon-Péronne 2020
★★★ | $$1⁄2 | $23.95 | France 13% | 3.2 g/L – Organic
SAQ code: 13620815
When the time comes to get your hands on a good Chardonnay, the Mâconnais is by far the Burgundy region that offers the best value for money. This is the case here with this estate which works fairly old vines (35-40 years) in organic farming. Very pleasant nose that evokes notes of apple, lime zest and a floral side. On the palate, the wine is both nourished and delicate, very dry with a saline touch on the finish which brings character.
Château de Sales 2018, Pomerol
★★★★ | $$$$$ | $67.50 | France 14.5% | 3 g/L
SAQ code: 14991343
With 48 hectares of vines out of the 90 that make up the estate, Château de Sales is the largest producer of Pomerol. The boundaries of the property are almost the same as when it was founded in 1578 and it has belonged to the same family for almost five centuries! It is above all one of the most classic wines of the appellation with a style less marked by the barrel. The 2018 precisely displays a brilliant fruitiness with well-typed ferruginous notes. Lots of substance, tight tannins and a certain elegance. Long, fresh finish that never lets the almost 15% alcohol show. Good aging (10 to 12 years) to be expected. Knowing that Pomerol wines are selling for gold today, it's almost a bargain.
Correct ★
Good ★★
Very good ★★★
Excellent ★★★★
< p>Exceptional ★★★★★
More stars than dollars: well worth the price
As many stars as dollars: worth the price
Fewer stars than dollars: the wine is expensive