This week, I have found three wonderful wines to suggest. I am sure that one them will whet your palate. Each of these wines has something appealing about it and was interesting to sip.
Ogier
Hritages Blanc
Ctes Du Rhone (447276)
FRANCE
$16.99
France's southern Rhne Valley is most famous for its Chteauneuf-du-Pape wines. In B.C., we are most familiar with the luscious red wines that come from this region, we only see the odd white.
Whether it's red or white, these wines come at a premium price.
This wine is a new offering. If the idea of a trying a white Chteauneuf-style wine intrigues you, this wine is one to try.
This wine blends the famous white grape varietals of the Rhne Valley -- white Grenache, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne and a little of the rebel grape Viognier -- together to make a charming alternative to your Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
The Ogier Hritages Blanc has a bright gold colour with nice
aromas of apple, melon, some citrus notes and a hint of floral.
On the palate, there are fresh melon and tart apple flavours followed by a crisp mouth-watering citrus feel.
This wine has some complexity and its medium to full-body feeling add some depth on the finish. At $16.99 a bottle, I would serve this wine as an apritif or with white fish or shellfish.
Famiglia Bianchi
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
(190256)
Argentina
$19.99
A few weeks back, I wrote about the Famiglia Bianchi Malbec and this month I had an opportunity to try the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bianchi's Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the wines featured in an in-store display dedicated to 90 to 100 point wines. In this case, Wine Advocate magazine rated it with 90 points.
Unlike old world wines that are highly regulated, new world wines made in countries like Argentina can use blends. This is the case with the 2008 Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon.
Although primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, it does include a ten per cent blend of Merlot and Petite Verdot to enhance its flavour.
Enhance it does.
Dark blackish red or purple colour the glass from this densely coloured wine. On the nose, you can tell this wine has structure.
From the many aroma layers that first appear like ripe black berries to plum which flow into touches of toasty oak and
mocha or coffee.
In the mouth, it is layered as well with those same ripe berries and fruit with toast and vanilla coffee with a long light velvety tannic finish.
This is a full-bodied wine that is ideal for that barbequed slab of beef. A 90-point wine for only $19.99.
Evans & Tate
Margaret River Metricup
Road Shiraz (587469)
Australia
$19.99
Evans & Tate Metricup Road 2009 Shiraz (587469) is produced in the Margaret River wine region on Australia's West Coast. One of the larger and more successful wine makers in Western Australia, Evans & Tate wines can be found in many price and quality levels.
At $19.99, I thought this Shiraz offered good value.
The colour of this wine is purple but with some darker red highlights. On the nose, it is fresh with red cherry aromas and a light peppery quality.
In addition, you will find it has light earthy woodiness and hints of coffee or mocha. On the palate, this Shiraz is fresh and not at all jammy with good balance of flavours, acidity, texture and body.
Imagine pairing this wine with your next roast pork, fowl or even grilled steak
dinner.
Al Spoklie is a product consultant at the B.C. Signature Liquor Store, Pine Centre. The bracketed numbers are the product codes for the B.C. liquor stores.
