Ten tasty tipples to toast the coming spring

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This article was published 19/03/2022 (1687 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The mercury continues to rise, slushy brown lakes are rising on streets and sidewalks, and folks are frantically shovelling snow away from their houses in fear of basement flooding. Spring is nearly upon us, it would seem (save for the standard last-minute deep freeze that’s sure to come).

Hardy Manitobans that we are, the first path through the snow that we clear is often straight to the barbecue. If your propane’s topped up and you scraped off the grill, here are 10 wines — whites, reds and even a rosé — in a wide range of styles (arranged roughly from lightest to heaviest) and from 10 different countries which will go well with all manner of grilled fare, or simply to toast the longer, warmer days to come.

Villa Maria 2021 Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand – $19.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Fresh grapefruit, lemon pith, tart green apple and hints of cut grass are front and centre on the nose of this very pale straw-coloured New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. The ripeness of the fruit is impressive, with gooseberry, grapefruit, green apple and lime coming with mouth-watering acidity and verve before a medium-length finish. Very nicely done, especially while it’s on sale for $17.99 (until the end of March). ★★★★ out of five

Kutjevo 2019 Grasevina (Croatia – around $20, private wine stores)

Medium gold in colour, this Croatian white brings juicy peach, melon, honey and sweet red apple notes on the nose. It’s medium-plus bodied and viscous, delivering the ripe tropical, red apple and subtle honey flavours with beautiful texture and low acidity. A great place to start an excursion into the world of Croatian wines; would work well with your beer can chicken or pork tenderloin. ★★★★

Studio by Miraval 2020 rosé (Méditerranée, France – $18.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Think of this as the little brother of the Chateau Miraval, the $35ish Provence rosé made on the estate owned by Brad Pitt. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Tibouren and Rolle grapes from southern France, this rosé is very pale pink, bringing peach, floral, strawberry candy and sweet orange aromas. It’s dry and light-bodied, with a slight saline note that comes with the fresh but modest peach, strawberry and melon notes and a modest finish. It’s delicate and stylish. ★★★1/2

Mt. Boucherie 2019 Pinot Gris (Similkameen Valley, B.C. – $19.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

This single-vineyard white has a pinkish tinge, the result of the juice being partially fermented in contact with the reddish skins of the grape. There’s a slightly savoury and herbal aroma that comes with oxidative fruit notes (think baked apple and pear versus fresh apple and pear). On the dry, medium-bodied palate of this charming but somewhat atypical Pinot Gris the apple, pear and melon rind notes bring hints of nut and bread dough, a dash of salinity and a long finish. On sale for $17.99 until the end of March. ★★★★

Ventisquero 2020 Reserva Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley, Chile – around $16, private wine stores)

Fresh cherry and plum aromas show nicely with secondary violet, earth and a slightly meaty note on the nose of this Chilean Pinot Noir. It’s bright and light-bodied, with ripe cherry, blueberry and plum flavours delivered with modest tannins and some underlying white pepper and earthy flavours. Try with grilled salmon. ★★★1/2

Pedra Cancela 2016 Winemaker Selection Red (Dao, Portugal – $18.98, Liquor Marts and beyond)

A blend of equal parts Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Roriz grapes, this red offers cocoa, blackberry, violet, plum and vanilla notes on the nose. It’s dry and medium-plus bodied, with rustic earth and peppery notes accompanying the cocoa, blackberry and vanilla flavours as well as light tannins, a splash of acidity and a slightly warm finish. A solid burger wine, although a newer vintage would bring some much-needed intensity. ★★★

Paololeo 2020 Primitivo (Salento, Italy – around $18, private wine stores)

From the heel of Italy’s boot comes this Primitivo which, like its American brethren (Zinfandel), does well in warm climates. Fresh-cut violets, blackberry, plum and hints of orange peel are quite attractive aromatically. It’s medium-plus bodied and jammy, with no oak aging meaning the dense dark berry and plum notes shine through, and with a slightly plush blueberry note coming with light tannins on the finish. Approachable and food-friendly. From Jones & Co. ★★★1/2

Beran 2017 Zinfandel (Sonoma County, Calif. – $29.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

This Sonoma Zinfandel, meanwhile, offers more gutsy raisin, blueberry and blackberry notes with a subtle leather and vanilla component. It’s dry and full-bodied, bringing dense dried cherry, raisin and blueberry flavours, secondary meaty, baking spice and peppery components (from 12 months in oak), some chewy tannins and a long, warm finish (it’s 14.8 per cent alcohol). More rustic than many California Zins, but still with textbook ripeness of the variety. ★★★★

Wakefield 2017 Jaraman Shiraz (Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, Australia – around $29, private wine stores)

Black cherry, earth, plum and spice run the show aromatically on this Aussie red, whose fruit is sourced from two hot neighbouring regions. It’s dense, full-bodied and jammy, with ripe cherry and blackberry flavours front and centre working well with eucalyptus, red licorice, iron and meaty notes. The wood is subtle, tannins are round and there’s some warmth on the finish. This relatively older vintage is in a great drinking window, but could be set aside for 6-12 months. ★★★★1/2

Cathedral Cellars 2017 Triptych (Western Cape, South Africa – $19.99, Liquor Mart and beyond)

This South African red blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Shiraz, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot and others. Up-front cassis, blueberry, vanilla and slightly leafy aromas work well together, and it’s full-bodied and dry, those dark berry flavours coming with a secondary herbal/earthy note, hints of pepper and a vanilla/spice note from 18 month in oak barrels. Medium tannins and the 14 per cent alcohol seem just right on this muscular blend. ★★★1/2

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