MAKING THE CASE Let’s hear it forsummer!

By TOM FIRTH

Phew! Felt under the gun to get these summery recommendations put together before things get really busy for our Alberta Beverage Awards - where our judges do all the tasting in mid-July, and we spend the summer months completing the results for October’s issue of Culinaire!

The early transition to the heat of summer when we are normally still hoping for those spring rains meant it was rather easy to get in the mood to think about those wines for hot days – though I have to confess I like the mid-20s more than the 30+ days, and it does affect how I choose beverages around my place.

This month, we have a somewhat eclectic selection of wines to recommend, from a few well priced “patio pounders” suitable for the casual get together, but also a few pricier bottles sure to knock some socks off. To round things out, we have a non-alcoholic wine that was a pleasure to taste, and some BC/ USA wines to suggest. I spent a week in Ontario this June trying hundreds of Canadian wines at the All Canadian Wine Championships and tried (blind) around a hundred of these wines that were made from both BC and American grapes, but made in Canada entirely at BC wineries. I’m happy to report that most of these wines are quite tasty, and virtually all were well priced and appropriate for summer enjoyment. If you can, try them out or even order directly from BC wineries that are still struggling a bit.

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.

Hester Creek “Columbia Valley Collection” 2024 Rosé Cabernet Franc, BC/USA

My ongoing love affair with cabernet franc is a poorly kept secret, and another rosé to try too! Awesome! Full flavoured and almost lush on the palate with about six grams of residual sugar bringing fruits to the riper, strawberry and raspberry side of things, and a slightly candied finish. Loving the spice and aromatics too, this is the epitome of refreshing wine for summertime. $23 at the Winery

Tom has been waxing on (and on) about wine, beer, and spirits for more than 25 years and freelances, consults, and judges on beverages all year long. He is the Managing Editor for Culinaire Magazine, and the Competition Director for the Alberta Beverage Awards.

A beautiful bottle of wine at an exceptional price for this zesty, fresh blend that shows off lemony and apply fruits, flinty mineral notes, and a slightly saline finish. Very dry with a tightly wound finish, I found this most enjoyable well chilled with seafoods like seared scallops or lighter fish, but also creamier cheese would work well here.

CSPC 885045 $21-23

Quails’ Gate “Field & Flight” 2024 Rosé, BC/USA

A beautifully crafted pinot noir-based rosé, that is restrained, quite dry, and finely balanced. Loads of summery fruits with lively floral tones and a mild herbaceous or dried leafiness. Very much a crowd-pleasing style of wine, that is a little lighter, but also a little more food friendly too. A happy match with lighter seafood dishes, sushi/ sashimi, charcuterie, and saltier snacks. $20 at the winery, with some availability at Alberta liquor stores.

It seems as though the modern expression of alcohol-free wines are here to stay, and they seem to be getting better every day - the selection in Alberta grows by leaps and bounds. Layla, by Huber is made with both grape juice and grape must, so it’s nice and flavourful with some good balance and moderate sweetness. Bubbles are awesome! And a refreshing one like this for toasts and whetting the whistle too is a good thing to have. An excellent alternative!

CSPC 121794 About $20

Mirada Organic Rosé, Castilla, Spain

A completely refreshing and somewhat juicy rosé to enjoy over those summer months, made from bobal grapes, which we don’t see often outside of Spain. Having about three grams of sugar, it’s barely off-dry, but that little bit of sweetness allows the strawberry and watermelon fruits to come to the fore, and that citrusy finish really calls for

Made with about half riesling, with sauvignon blanc and chardonnay, this is the sort of juicy, easygoing wine that we really should be enjoying on those hot summer days. Here the riesling brings the texture and some mineral, plus a little sweetness, the sauvignon blanc brings a little grassiness and pepper, and the chardonnay seems to tie it all together and bring a little restraint. An absolute crusher, no food required. About $18 at the Winery

Château de Mus 2021 Syrah/Cabernet Franc, France

In a slightly patriotic turn of events, “Mus” here is pronounced like “Moose” –so don’t worry about a language barrier. A fine blend of two great grapes, syrah and cab franc, look for the right combination of savoury spices and a slight meatiness on the nose, but coupled with leaner cherry and blackberry style fruits and agreeable tannins. A barbecue star for those red meats, but burgers or striploins are a heavenly match here.

CSPC 885046 $21-23

Wirra Wirra 2022 Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, McLaren Vale Australia

A 90 point Judge’s Selection wine at the 2024 Albert Beverage Awards, Wirra Wirra’s Church Block is a consistently good, barbecue-friendly wine that is chock-a-block with deep red fruits, spice and earth notes, and the right amounts of acid and tannin. Plus, no one barbecues quite like the Australians. Pair with barbecue of course, but this really sings with smoked meats and charcuterie too.

Noble Ridge “Vilicus” 2024 Pinot Grigio, BC/USA

The Noble Ridge offerings of the recent change to allow some international grapes in a BC winery bottle, really has some fun with it. A very reasonably priced viognier stood out for me from among the line up (the rosé is another!) with all the intensity one loves in this grape with white flowers, tropical fruits, and a silky texture leading into a slightly bitter finish. Don’t serve too cold or you might miss out on the finer details. A fine match with poultry or lighter dishes.

About $21 at the Winery

CSPC 19380 $25-28

Seegut Lentsch 2021 Cabernet Franc Austria

For anyone who loves cool and exciting cabernet franc, this is one for getting your paws on. A showstopping cab franc from Austria, and worth savouring for pure enjoyment or matching with red meats on the grill. Deep, chewy red fruits with brilliant floral aromas and nicely weighted tannins, this was something I was very grateful to try, and something I’ll circle back on in the very near future to enjoy again! For the table, any match when a red would be suitable would be a pleasure.

CSPC 110958 $38-41

Caparra e Siciliani 2022 “Ciro” Rosso Superiore, Sicily, Italy

A lovely Sicilian wine made from the highly uncommon gaglioppo grape, and one of the best reds to enjoy when the mercury rises. Technically, it’s meant to be enjoyed close to room temperature, but even a few degrees colder make this crisp and dry, with sleek tannins and a slightly bitter finish. The tartness, spice, and almost sour cherry fruit sing with charcuterie boards, firm cheese, or grilled beef too. I’m a fan of this gem.

CSPC 881592 about $26-28

Vita Vivet NV Organic Cava Brut Penedès, Spain

Deeply impressed by this well-priced and rather quaffable sparkling wine from Spain. Cava is wonderfully unique in the wine world, especially when made with the classic grapes of xarel-lo, macabeo, and parallada. Look for lean, almost pithy citrus fruits of lime and apple flesh with intense mineral characters and a great mousse. An easy match to have with seafoods of any stripe, but also an excellent, casual wine for enjoying in the sun.

CSPC 875769 $18-21

Don Melchor 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

Puente Alto, Chile

It was pretty big news that a Chilean wine topped the list at Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list last year, but it wasn’t much of a surprise that it was Don Melchor taking the podium when it did happen. Absolutely sublime cabernet sauvignon (with very small amounts of blending grapes), wildly intense, vividly perfumed, and just incredible too. Certainly can cellar if desired, but this made for an exceptional glass even this youthful. Available in limited quantities, and if the budget allows, stock up.

CSPC 1070756 About $300-325