MAKING THE CASE
For SummerFriendly Wines By TOM FIRTH
Let’s be pretty honest. Summer in Alberta is usually pretty awesome. It’s rarely cold or rainy, and most days are filled with sunshine and blue skies too. While many of us are hanging out a little closer to home than we’d prefer, it’s a great time to relax on the deck or chill on the patio if you can, or at the very least, open all the windows and let the fresh air in. We do see Father’s Day in June, and while not everyone makes a big fuss about this day, it’s likely still a fine day to have a tiny get-together and fire up that grill. While you are doing that, I would love to recommend some wonderful, summerfriendly wines that are very easy to enjoy at home. Find these wines by searching the CSPC code at Liquorconnect.com; your local liquor store can also use this code to order it for you. Prices are approximate.
Tarapaca 2018 Gran Reserva Carmenère Maipo, Chile
A relatively uncommon variety, carmenère is often recognized by aromas of pencil lead, dill, and pepper spice. Abundant fruit presence on the nose and palate, with clean flavours and a decidedly spicy bell pepper character (think cooler climate cabernet). Should pair well with richer pasta sauces or even some more robust grilled seafood. CSPC +894253 $20-24
Luce 2017 Lucente, Tuscany, Italy
A blend of merlot and sangiovese, made in a very much fruit driven style, with loads of berry from start to finish and a supporting cast of spice and woodsy tones. Rather prominent tannins and a good core of acids will make this sing with meatier dishes like roasts or beef dishes from the smoker, but also thick crust meaty pizzas if it’s a night to order in. Drinking very well now, but can handle a few years in the cellar too. CSPC +519421 $36-40
De Fournier 2019 Sauvignon Blanc France
French sauvignon blanc tends to be a little more… restrained than the New Zealand style, but in no way inferior. Bright lemony fruits with abundant melon notes, and a rather juicy fruit presence evoking passionfruit and mango on the palate, but still lots of food friendly acids. A lovely quaffer, will go very well with appetizer-style foods or grilled poultry. CSPC 832671 $21-24
Tom is a freelance wine writer, wine consultant, and wine judge. He is the Managing Editor for Culinaire Magazine, and the Competition Director for the Alberta Beverage Awards. Follow him on twitter @cowtownwine, email tom@culinairemagazine.ca
38 Culinaire | June 2021
Tenuta Viglione 2019 Primitivo Puglia, Italy
Looking for a good, organic primitivo - or zinfandel for that matter? Look no further than Viglione’s from Puglia. Peppery, spicy plums, blueberry and strawberry, with bright and clean floral tones, lead the nose with a slightly jammy, fruit driven palate. Quite the weeknight crushable wine and a great price zinfandel/primitivo, it will go stunningly with good pizza, baked pasta dishes, or even burgers. CSPC +813494 $18-21
