S ummertime living to paraphrase Gershwin is supposed to be easy. One way to keep things relaxed is to take care of chores as early as you can to keep the pace slow. Like having your own “house wines” on hand to meet any occasion or menu.
Here are two food-friendly, versatile wines ready to perform. They’ll pair perfectly with your summer menus. Keep a few bottles on hand, it won't shock your budget, and you should be ready for come what may. Australia's Richland Pinot Grigio 2016 (CBIN# 09549Z, $15.18) is richer than your typical Italian Pinot Grigio, offering quality, versatility and deep flavours at a reasonable price. Look for an open, inviting nose with intense aromas of white peach, nectarine and lychee aromas. Medium bodied and completely dry, Richland has a zesty, juicy acidity with enough forward fruit flavours to give the wine an overall silky, round mouth feel. Peach, orange zest, pear and citrus flavours are easily recognizable on the complex palate. Underlying these are fresh honey dew and yellow plum fruit augmented by a dash of fresh, peppery spice. The invigorating citrus finish has great length and complexity with ample palate cleansing acidity. Mirassou is wonderful as an aperitif, but excels with the right food combination. Seafood, especially scallops or shrimp, is a perfect match. Roast pork, veal or grilled chicken are also great partners.
MontGras Carmenere Reserva 2015 (BIN# 07670Z, $16.19) is a stellar wine from Chile's signature grape. 100% Carmenere, it has two things going for it, great quality and an astonishingly economical price. The first thing you may notice is the intense, inky dark colour of the wine, which bodes well for rich, full flavours on the palate. Raspberry, plum, red cherry, dark fruit, mocha and a dusting of spice are the predominant aromas on the enticing, robust nose. Medium to full bodied, the palate features a myriad of jammy fruit flavours, such as black currant, red berry, plum and cranberry. Intricately interwoven with the fruit are coffee/mocha, oak, vanilla, black pepper and thyme flavours. Throw in soft, mature tannins and a fine acidic backbone and you have a round, nicely balanced wine with a lengthy, complex finish. Match MontGras with roast beef, lamb, risotto, pasta, game, pork loin, grilled or roast chicken and most especially your favourite steak. Your guests will never suspect how little you paid for this Chilean that certainly punches above its weight class. Enjoy!
Summer 2017 pei-living.ca
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