Wine Wednesday
Four wine bargains that offer balance and flavour
Taste in wine is no different than taste in music. It’s subjective: Do you like the wine or not? Would you want to have a second glass?
One goal for recommending wines is to single out interesting wines with a sense of place or a wow factor. But the first consideration, especially when writing for a consumer audience, is whether the wine has the intensity of flavour, balance and complexity to make it enjoyable.
When it comes to bargain bottles, which is to say wines that sell for less than $15 in Canadian provinces, finding that balance/complexity/flavour trifecta and interest is a challenge. To my taste, many cheap wines fail to spark joy, let along entice you to take another sip. When I find one with second glass appeal, I’m quick to share it with any wine lovers who’ll listen. (Hit like and subscribe if you’re all ears!)
Here are four well-packaged and well-priced wines with flavour and character I think you might appreciate.
Julia Florista White 2023 (Portugal), $9.95
Produced with a blend of regional grape varieties from vineyards influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, this easy-going white wine offers a pleasing mix of green apple, stone fruit and tropical fruit and floral notes. A lively and refreshing aromatic white wine. Drink now. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta. (86/100)
Leyda Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Chile), $14.95
The quality of Chilean sauvignon blanc took off as vineyards were established close to the Pacific Ocean. Viña Leyda was a pioneer in this region, establishing the first vineyard in 1998. Morning fog and cool breezes preserve the vibrant and refreshing character, while abundant sunshine ripens the grapes to produce this citrussy-flavoured white wine that’s rounded out by herbaceous notes. This has 13.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $17.99 in British Columbia, $22.58 in Newfoundland. (90/100)
Rocca delle Macìe Riserva Chianti 2022 (Italy), $16.95
The Zingarelli family, which produces an extensive portfolio of wine under the Rocca delle Macìe name, started making wine in Tuscany in 1973. The lineup is consistently enjoyable from this value priced example up to this age-worthy Chianti Classico Gran Selezione label. This Riserva Chianti incorporates small additions of cabernet sauvignon and merlot in the sangiovese-based blend, resulting in a medium-bodied red wine with an appealing core of dark cherry flavours and spice notes. This has 13.5 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2028. Available at the above price in Ontario ($14.95 until February 1), $17.40 in Quebec. (88/100)
The Beachhouse Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (South Africa), $12.95
This affordable South Africa sauvignon blanc gains weight and texture from the addition of 15 per cent semillon. The finished wine offers an array of passion fruit, mango and pineapple with citrus and herbal notes adding complexity. A fresh and appealing white that’s ideal for entertaining. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $13.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $14.99 in Manitoba, $15.99 in New Brunswick, $15.49 in Nova Scotia, 15.59 in Prince Edward Island, $17.99 in Newfoundland. (87/100)