As the temperature cools we begin shifting from the crisp, refreshing whites of summer to the warm, comforting reds of fall. The first a great value wine from Spain using the Tempranillo grape, next is an Organic Sangiovese from Italy and to finish it off a great Port for either a before or after dinner delight.
BODEGAS NAVALON
ANCIANO GRAN RESERVA TEMPRANILLO 2001 (+789354)
SPAIN
$15.99
Who makes a $15.99 wine that has been rated at 90 points and aged 10 years before release? Bodegas Navalon does. This Spanish wine producer is a family-owned bodega, part of a company that was originally founded at the start of the 20th century by Don Juan Sanchez. Grapes are sourced from small growers across the region to make the classic red wine Anciano, which is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 24 months.
That's what the Anciano Gran Reserva Tempranillo is all about. Valdepeas vineyards and its stony lime soils is located in southern Spain. The Tempranillo grapes for this fabulous old world style wine are grown and hand picked from vines that are 25 years old. The wine has also been matured in American and French oak for a minimum of 24 months. The complexity of this wine can be enjoyed with any red meat dish for sure. The color reflects the time spent maturing with its almost brick red shade followed by aromas of leather, vanilla and spicy notes. Dark fruits will awaken your palate while black liquorice lingers on through the long finish. At this price, it's a steal.
CIAO
TERRA DI CHIETI SANGIOVESE (+340711)
ITALY
$14.99
Ciao is another European winery that has managed to stay true to its family traditions. Since 1933, Cantine Sgarzi Luigi has been creating wines. Today, Sgarzi Luigi is one of the leading producers and exporters of Italian wines in the world.
This multiple award-winning Sangiovese is also proud to be Organic and available in a handy tetra pack. Don't be scared when you hear the words "tetra pack." In Europe, this type of packaging is very common and even good quality wines are packaged this way. Not only is this wine very eco friendly, it is easy to take along on a picnic or out on a hike. This Sangiovese is produced using traditional red wine making techniques to create a highly aromatic, dry red wine that exudes flavours and aromas of ripe dark fruits and a hint of floral. Even though this wine has a slight sweetness of 1, try serving it with a nice hearty beef stew.
TAYLOR FLADGATE
FIRST ESTATE RESERVE PORT (+309401)
PORTUGAL
$21.99
For over 300 years, Taylor's has been a family run business that is proud to be completely independent. Most wine authorities consider, Taylor's to be "the greatest of all port shippers." When it comes to Port, Taylor's First Estate is a great bottle to start with for anyone interested in Port tastes like. Taylor's vineyards are located along the steep slopes of Portugal's Douro Valley. Just like in wine production terroir plays a big role in the final product. Port is a fortified wine that can be aged from 2 years to many decades. Port is made just like other wines the only difference is a neutral spirit brandy is added to create a fortified, sweet dessert wine. Many of the grapes varietals used for Port are rarely grown anywhere else in the world. All of these grapes are hand picked. Surprisingly, Taylor's still treads some of its grapes by foot to bring out the fullest of flavours. This port is a full bodied red with aromas and flavours of dried fruits and spice with a rich sweet finish. Try pairing this with walnuts, blue cheese and of course anything chocolate. It is worth every drop.
Kim Cabral 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.
