Five times each year, four or five new wines are introduced in our stores. These new additions are wines our buyers believe bring something new to our portfolio and offer good value to our customers. This time around we are introducing four wines that bring something new to the table that are worthy of your consideration.
Wine Men of Gotham
2011 Chardonnay (528778)
Australia
$13.99
The name and label of Wine Men of Gotham is homage to the wise folks of Gotham England who pretended to be fools in order to avoid the tax man. It?s too bad that this ruse isn?t enough to avoid paying taxes today; I?d have a lot more money. Fortunately, this 2011 Chardonnay from South Australia doesn?t have to pretend anything. It is a good wine at a very reasonable price.
In the glass, this wine has a light or pale gold colour with aromas of apple, pear with delicate whiff of pineapple or mango. In the mouth, I found the flavours to be fresh and lively but still light and delicate. The body is also light with a nice refreshing finish. I couldn?t find any oakiness in this wine so if you favour unoaked Chardonnays this is a nice choice and paired with roast chicken or turkey you?ll have a winning combination.
I?ve always described wines made from grapes grown on old vines as having a depth and richness not common to those produced from younger vines. These next two wines have a number of similarities. Although they are produced in different countries, one from Spain and the other from France, both are made from 100% Grenache grapes or as it is called in Spain, Garnacha, they are the same vintage and are produced from old grape vines. Both wines are so good, I will have a tough time deciding which one I will buy again first.
Domaine Gayda Cepage
2011 Grenache (491860)
France
$14.99
The Languedoc region of the South of France is the home of the Gayda Grenache. This is an international collaboration between an Englishman, a South African and a Frenchman. That may sound like the beginning of a joke but the result of this union has created something very good. This wine has a deep and dense purple colour accompanied by bold aromas like raspberry, blackberry, and savoury spice. There is an underlying earthiness that just kind of binds the whole thing together. On the palate, the rich berry flavours are ripe and fresh without that sweet jammy quality. I found it full-bodied and rich with good acidity and had minor but pleasing tannins. The finish was lasting and the next time I have this wine it will be paired with a nice big steak or maybe a meat lover?s pizza.
Pablo Old Vine
Calatayud Garnacha
Spain (205518)
$13.99
The second old vine Grenache or Garnacha, as it is called in Spain, are from up to 100-year-old bush vines and elevations of over 3000 feet. This old vine Garnacha is somewhat different for the French in that the colour is just a little lighter purple and the aromas are more the blackberries rather than the red raspberry. There are still the layers of spice but in this one I think they are more the baking spice rather than the savoury verity. In the mouth it is full-bodied and warming with ripe black cherry, blackberry in a fruit forward way but has structure provides layers of experiences and pleasure. Good balance of fruit, tannin, and just enough acidity that the finish is long but clean. This is a good meat wine whether its beef, pork or poultry and maybe some hard medium strong cheese.
Que Guapo
2011 Blended Red (785154)
Argentina
$14.99
When translated from Spanish to English, Que Guapo means looking good or very attractive. By that I mean, this wine suits its name, the packaging or label is a bright depiction of the La Boca neighbourhood in Buenos Aires.
This blend has of course the expected Malbec with 60% with Bonarda and Syrah sharing the remaining 40%. At one time, Argentinian vineyards were dominated by Bonarda grapes but now Malbec has moved into top spot and has become the country?s signature grape. In this wine, I think the blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah absolutely works with each bringing their best. I liked the deep purple with garnet highlights and the varied aromas. Black plum and cherry are the dominant aromas with some raspberry and red cherry too. A little pepper and mocha help round out the aromas and give some depth to the wine. In the mouth, this wine is quite lush with ripe fruit flavours but has enough tannin to give it some depth and help it to deliver a decent finish. This wine is made for Argentine beef but I?m sure Alberta or local home grown will also pair nicely.
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.
