White Rhone Experiment

Actually, not so much an experiment as a fridge cleaning.

I looked in my fridge for something to go with dinner tonight (pasta with a creamy Alfredo sauce and shrimp) and found a bottle of white Cote du Rhone.  (How do you get the damn little “hat” on the “o”!)  Unfortunately, it was something from the 2000 vintage!

The wine was fantastic!  Assuming you like woody wines with little to no flavour, that is.  I won’t name the producer since this is my fault.  I bought the bottle many years past (Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival?) and should have drunk it ages ago.

(The oddest thing is that it was okay with the creamy pasta sauce.  Boring but okay.  On its own, however, the faults were too much.)

Such a shame: There’s not enough white Rhone available (in BC at least) and then I go and ruin a bottle by forgetting about it.

FYI, the wine was a blend of Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne.  Classic stuff.

If you’re in BC and want an idea of what I should have tasted, check out the white blends from Twisted Tree (blends of Roussanne with either Viognier or Marsanne).  The opposite of the way too old, orange peel aroma, caramel coloured, flavourless wine that I tried tonight.

Valentín Bianchi Finca Los Primos Malbec 2007

San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina
Alcohol:14%
Available in government ($9.96) and private stores

Another bargain from south (very far south!) of the border. Malbec is virtually Argentina’s signature grape (as Zinfandel is for California), but originally came to Argentina from France. Malbec is normally used as part of a blend in Bordeaux, Cahors (where it is known as Cot) and the Loire in France, but now it’s best known as a single varietal wine from Argentina. (There is even some Malbec grown in British Columbia; look for Kettle Valley’s and Inniskillin’s for good local versions.) And within Argentina, Mendoza is the “home” for good, great, and not-so-great Malbecs.

Typical of Malbecs, this wine has a very dark colour and appears dense. You can see some purple on the edge of the wine, indicating the wine’s youthfulness. The nose is dominated by the black fruit, with some smoke and spicy tones. Those flavours carry on into the mouth, with plenty of dark fruits (plums and black currants) sit over smoke and spices. There is a nice amount of acid to balance the richness of the fruit, with some nice, soft tannins to provide structure for the wine.

I’ve heard that the Finca Los Primos is the best selling Malbec in British Columbia and it would make sense. It’s tasty, ready-to-drink, not expensive, and a very good value. You can enjoy this on its own or with some rich winter fare (ribs or stews spring to mind). While this wine could age for a few years, it’s hard to resist opening it now.

Bodegas Escorihuela Gascon “Circus” Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Argentina
Alcohol: 13.5%
Available in private stores only ($16.10)

Argentina is well known for both its beef and wine. We may not see much of the beef here, but we certainly see a lot of the wine, ranging from inexpensive “quaffers” through to $100 plus bottles. And a whole in between!

This wine is one of the “in between”. It is a dark burgundy colour, with aromas of very fresh dark fruits (plums, blackberries and raspberries), chocolate, peppers, and other spices. In the mouth, it has soft tannins and medium acid. The dark fruit flavours are there again, but even more (if it’s possible) fresh and bright than on the nose. There are also hints of the spices and chocolate again. The finish drops off quickly, but then lingers for a while, making for a clean and pleasant end.

Overall, very enjoyable, with good fruit and character. Not as fruity as other Southern Hemisphere wines around this price, and all the better for it. Well suited to casual dinners at home and seasonal parties when you’re looking for something enjoyable to drink, that works well with many foods (i.e., not big enough to “drown out” the flavour of the food, but with some character), and – in these uncertain times – doesn’t break the bank.

Rebel Wine “The Show” Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

California, USA
Alcohol: 13.9%
Available in government ($18.99) and private stores

Rebel Wine is a joint venture between the Three Thieves (Charles Bieler, Joel Gott, and Roger Scommenga ) and Trinchero Wines (owner of Sutter Home and other brands). Their goal is to “liberate premium wine” and the packaging of their wines – including this one – is anything but conventional. (Check out their Web site to see the whole line-up: http://www.threethieves.com/index.html#1)

The Show is a big wine, no question. It starts with the eye catching label and then the bottle (heavy barely describes it!). Then there’s the nose: big, ripe, and lush sprang to mind, with lots of jammy red fruit and spices (cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg), plus some vanilla and violets. The boldness carries on into your mouth, where the strong fruit and spice flavours are balanced by the acid and soft tannins. The finish is smooth, medium long, and clean. While I couldn’t find the exact blend, the wine is roughly 80% Cabernet Sauvignon (multiple regions), and the rest is combination of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Sirah, and Petit Verdot.

This is a nicely priced, enjoyable Cabernet Sauvignon that is more “wine fun” than “wine geeky”. It’s a strongly flavoured wine, so should be matched with similar foods (boldly flavoured sauces and grilled meats, instead of white fish or cream sauces).

Mission Hill Family Estate Five Vineyards Cabernet-Merlot 2006

Okanagan Valley VQA, BC
Alcohol: 12.5%
Available in government ($18.99) and private stores (including Mission Hill stores), and at the winery

Mission Hill might be the largest entirely-within BC winery and makes everything from inexpensive wines (blended from imported and BC grapes) using several different labels, through to the ultra-super premium Oculus (a Bordeaux inspired wine).

The Five Vineyards line is Mission Hill’s entry-level 100% BC line-up. The 2006 Cabernet-Merlot is a blend of Merlot (48%), Cabernet Sauvignon (37%), and Cabernet Franc (15%). It has a dark ruby red colour, with purple tones. The nose has notes of rich, ripe dark fruit (plums, blackberries, and dark cherries). The ripe fruit flavours continue onto the palate, with the addition of some spices (including cloves). The flavours, soft tannins, and medium acid combine with a lingering finish to produce a pleasant wine that is easy to enjoy.

This is a wine that shows that some of the advantages of being a large (in BC terms) winery: it’s well priced against other BC wines, widely available, and delivers. It is a wine that is enjoyable on its own, but also works well with a variety of foods (including the ubiquitous red meats, pastas, and cheeses). It’s a fitting entry point for such a well known winery.

Wine Matters! Blog Missing In Action

Missing due to inaction would probably be more accurate! I couldn’t control the computer problems that put me off-line for almost two weeks, but the subsequence lack of posts is entirely my fault. Bad habits are often so much easier to cultivate than the good variety, and I apologize for the gap in posts.

I’m back on track now, so I thank you for your patience and sticking with the Wine Matters! Blog.

And now, back to the wine.

St Hallett Gamekeeper’s Reserve 2007

Barossa, South Australia, Australia
Alcohol: 14.5%
Available in government ($14.23) and private stores

The St Hallett Gamekeeper’s Reserve is the red equivalent of the Poacher’s Blend that I reviewed earlier this month. While neither is a “special occasion” wine, both are reliable and provide excellent value. They are also widely available, making for an easy choice when you’re in a hurry.

Another similarity between the wines is the blend. The label on the Gamekeeper’s Reserve says Shiraz–Grenache (a traditional blend in France’s Rhone Valley), but they use a third grape to give it a bit more character: Touriga Nacional. Never heard of it? No surprise; it’s a Portuguese grape that is traditionally used to make Port. That’s probably how it made its way to Australia, but winemakers have recently been using it in tables wines, either on its own or as part of a blend. Although St Hallett only uses about 4 or 5% Touriga Nacional in this wine, it certainly helps the wine stand out from other inexpensive Rhone inspired blends.

The wine is a dark ruby colour, and has spicy, blackberry, and floral aromas. Once you get it in your mouth, the blackberries are joined by flavours of dark cherries, plum, tobacco, and a touch of smokiness and earthiness. The tannins and acid are soft but obvious from start to finish. The flavours linger in the mouth and the alcohol is pretty obvious during the finish. While there has been no oak aging for this wine, it has had left on the “lees” (the yeast residue that sinks to the bottom of the container after fermentation), adding more complexity.

While this is a wine that is easily enjoyed on its own, it also works well with plenty of foods. It’s light enough to be a Pinot Noir replacement, so will work with lightly flavoured cheeses, meats (e.g., chicken), and vegetables. But it has enough fruit and character to also work with more flavourful foods, such as steaks, lamb, and even mild or medium hot curries.

Wine Suggestions for Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, so it seems like a good time to suggest some wines for your turkey dinner.

Many people seem to feel that choosing a wine (or wines) for a turkey dinner is difficult. My response is that there are usually so many different dishes on the table that almost any wine will pair nicely with something! If you choose a wine that you like, you will probably enjoy it with your Thanksgiving dinner as long as it doesn’t wipe out the food flavours.

However, I do have a few classic pairings to help get you started. Any of the aromatic varietals usually work well with turkey: Riesling (dry or off-dry), Gewürztraminer, or Alsatian Pinot Gris come to mind. Lighter reds (such as Pinot Noir, Syrah or Grenache from the Old World, or Gamay) often work well without  overwhelming the flavours of the food.  Rosés are another option, but avoid the sickly sweet, overly fruity ones and go for a drier version.  The Joie Rosé would be great (I know that Firefly Fine Wines & Ales still has some magnums), but there are many other choices.

For something really different, consider a sparkling red. The Australians virtually swear by sparkling reds with turkey dinners. These wines are almost uniquely Australian (Sumac Ridge now makes one too) and not well known in British Columbia, but there are some available here. If you want to splurge, try the E&E Sparkling Shiraz ($69.99 in the government stores): this is made from the famed still wine – always a treat – so this is both an excellent Shiraz and a fun sparkling wine. There is also a Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz ($23.90 in private stores) that I expect will work well.

These are really just some off-the-cuff suggestions. I’m working on a list of wines to enjoy over the Hanukkah/Christmas/New Year season. Look for it in late November.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines 2006

Calatayud DO, Spain
Alcohol: 14%
Available in government ($14.99) and private stores

Spain has a long history of winemaking and several of its regions are well known (e.g., Rioja). In addition to the fine wines, there have also been plenty of rougher, less expensive Spanish wines. It has only been recently, however, that Spain has been a source of inexpensive, well-made, everyday wines. The change is due – at least in part – to an influx of foreign capital into the Spanish wine industry that has allowed the wineries to upgrade their equipment, adopt new techniques, and even improve the science behind the wines.

One of my favourite, nice, inexpensive Spanish reds is the “garnacha de FUEGO”. (FYI, the Spanish “garnacha” is the same as the French “Grenache”.) This wine stands out on the shelf due to the flames on the label, but it also stands out once it’s opened due to the simple “likeability” of what’s in the bottle. Some of the character may be due to the fruit coming from old vines. (“Old vines” is an unregulated term that has come in for some abuse, but I understand that the fruit for this wines comes from vines 30 to 60 years old.)

The wine is an intense, deep red, with some purple tones on the rim. There are aromas of red fruits (such as blackberries, cherries and plums), spices, and even a hint of smoked paprika. The red fruit flavours carry on into the mouth, as does the smoked paprika. The tannins and acid are clearly there, but neither are too noticeable or aggressive. The finish is light but long, making for a nice transition to the next bite of food or another sip of wine.

There is enough fruitiness to the wine for drinking on its own, but it will also work with a wide variety of food. The usual red meats and pastas, of course, but also burgers and pork. This wine would also work well for turkey dinners, as it has the right fruit and spice flavours and is not too strong for the usual turkey dinner dishes.

Liquor Distribution Branch Release of 2005 Bordeaux

If you don’t know, the Liquor Distribution Branch (aka, the government liquor stores) have a coordinated release of their Bordeaux purchases. This year, it’s this Saturday (October 4th). You can find out all the details at their Web site: http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/instorepromotions/bordeaux2005

To say that I’m not a Bordeaux expert is an understatement. But I do have a link to an article written by one of our local wine experts, Sid Cross. If you are interested in why 2005 is shaping up to be an outstanding Bordeaux vintage or are just looking for some affordable suggestions, I’ll leave you in his hands: http://www.gismondionwine.com/article.php?key=1024