This might be a bit premature up here in Prince George, but I have three wines from our New For Spring promotional end display.This is a great promotion and every couple of months we receive a few new wines we haven't seen before. All three of these are from wineries I hadn't heard of before.
Maybe one of these will tweak your interest.
Stellar Organics Reserve 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Pinotage
Western Cape, South Africa (77883)
$14.99
Occasionally we will see the Fair Trade symbol on a bottle of wine.The only times I've seen it has been on wines from South Africa. But, what does Fair Trade mean?
Wikipedia defines it as "an organized social movement whose stated goal is to help producers in developing countries achieve better trading conditions and to promote sustainability."This applies to both small and large producers and their labour force promoting proper pay for a good day's work.The sustainability would really go hand in hand with organic farming practices and this wine is working under both of those practices.
The word organic isn't as rare on a bottle of wine and it too can be a bit mystifying.I know that in Canada there is a difference between, 100 per cent organic, organic, and made with organic grapes, and I would guess that every country has its own variation of its meaning. However, Stellar Organics gets its certification not from South Africa, but the internationally-recognized Control Union Certifications, based in the Netherlands.Although Stellar grows a lot of their own grapes they also contract with other growers that must be certified as well.
In the glass this wine was lighter than I expected, it's a bright purple with aromas that seem as fresh as the colour.This Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage blend has red berry aromas, red currant, raspberry and cherry. There is a hint of coffee that must come from the Pinotage.
On the palate I found it quite light with fresh berry flavours.The tannins are very minor and the finish is mouth watering with a crisp finish.
If you want to pair this wine with a meal I would choose a tomato based pasta sauce a beef stew or as the label suggests, hard cheese.
El Libre 2013 Cabernet
Sauvignon
Mendoza, Argentina (618454)
$13.99
El Libre is named in reference of a week-long revolution that took place in Buenos Aires in May 1810.The purpose of the revolution was to escape the colonial Spanish rule.Perhaps without that revolution, founder of the Revolution Wine Company, Stephen Ward, wouldn't have had a wine for us.
This 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza, Argentina, is quite a bit darker in the glass than the previous wine, but it does have some similarities.
The fruit is fresh on the nose and a bit pronounced.Blackberry, black currant, cherry and a hint of subtle spice are present.
On the palate it has a medium-body with nice fresh fruit flavours with soft tannins and a fresh finish.This would be a nice wine paired with any big protein meal, maybe a grilled steak.
Artan Reserve 2014 Sauvignon Blanc
Limestone Coast, South Australia, (495705)
$14.99
Artan, makes a line of premium wines showcasing the different regions of the Limestone Coast of South Australia. A wine that best showcases its terroir represents each of the six regions.In the case of this Sauvignon Blanc grapes have been sourced from these regions and something more affordable is the result.
Sauvignon Blanc is a grape varietal that I seem to be drawn to and I was eager to taste this one. I found it very light in colour, almost water white with a hint of warm gold.
Smelling the wine it had the expected gooseberry and asparagus these wines will often have, but there was also ripe melon and tropical fruit aromas.
Tasting the wine revealed more of the melon and tropical fruits than the herbaceous qualities I found on the nose.The acidity is softer than in many of the crisp SauvBlancs you find from this part of the world and there is almost a sense of sweetness on the tongue.
There is no need for food while sipping this wine, but if you were serving it with a meal make it seafood.
Al Spoklie is a product consultant at the BC Signature Liquor Store at
Pine Centre Mall.
