Novel bottles still to be had

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/03/2024 (895 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Wine Festival offers wine lovers the chance to try a whole whack of new-to-Manitoba products, many of which are brought in exclusively for the festival. And while the temporary on-site store at the RBC Convention Centre tends to sell out many of the wines, there are always a handful of leftovers that end up being distributed to a handful of Liquor Marts.

Those interested in finding products that were at the January fest can check out the Liquor Marts “Wine Festival Exclusive” page at wfp.to/jG6 — if there’s a product that’s of interest, click on the “store inventory” button on the product’s page to see which stores have stock. (Quantities are quite limited.)

Liquor Marts also have a slate of products being phased out from store shelves, which means the wines, beers, coolers, spirits and such have been priced to clear. To see what’s on its way out and where to grab products before they’re gone, check out the “Last chance” page of the Liquor Marts website at wfp.to/jGW and follow the above instructions to check availability.

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The folks at Next Door (116 Sherbrook St., formerly called One Sixteen) are throwing an Après-Ski patio party today from 2 p.m. on (no actual skis required). Beer cocktails, brews from the adjacent Good Neighbour Brewing Co. (including brûlée beers — a pint frothed up by a hot fire poker) and raclette sandwiches are all on the menu, plus there will be bonfires, a costume contest, a DJ dance party and more. There’s no cost to join the festivities.

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Sookram’s Brewing Co. is celebrating five years of beers, meanwhile, with a number of events over the next few weeks.

Until March 15, all pints of its core pours (Cult Classic, Cosmos, Desert Island and Eternal Sunshine) are $5 in the taproom (479 Warsaw Ave.).

On Monday, March 11, the brewery is teaming up with Park Alleys (730 Osborne St.) for a birthday-bash bowling tournament. There are still a couple of spots open for teams — registration is $75 per fivesome, with $50 from each team’s entry fee going to St.Amant (Park Alleys will also be donating $1 per pint to St. Amant for the night). To sign up visit parkalleys.com/contact and indicate you’d like to take part.

On Tuesday, March 12, Sookram’s is throwing a birthday dinner at Tabula Rasa (725 Osborne St.), which will feature a five-course meal by chef Garrett Call and beers paired to each dish, some of which will be new anniversary brews. The reception starts at 6 p.m., with dinner getting underway at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $80 per person — to book your spot go to tabularasaosborne.com/reserve and select March 12.

Thursday, March 14, will see Sookram’s release a small batch (s’mores version) of its Star Beast Imperial Stout at the brewery before the big blowout bash on Saturday, March 16, which will see festivities taking place from noon to 11 p.m. There will be big- and small-batch brews launched throughout the day (including a couple of special casks), Graham Peltier and Max Franc will be serving up skewers from 2 p.m. until they’re sold out, there will be music and more.

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For those looking for something other than beer, Shrugging Doctor Beverage Co. is now officially open at its new location (483 Berry St.) after a few weeks of soft opening. In addition to increased capacity, their new, larger facility also features food items. More on the new space in next week’s Uncorked.

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Wines of the week

Domaine Gueguen NV Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Blanc de Noirs (Burgundy, France — around $43, private wine stores)

This sparkling white is made with 100 per cent Pinot Noir grapes, and aromatically brings green apple and brioche notes along with herbal, chalky and white peach components.

The tart but fresh apple, peach and lime notes are delivered with fine bubbles on the light-plus-bodied palate, with zippy acidity and a chalky note adding lovely texture and length.

It’s not cheap, but for the price brings more character than most of the entry-level French champagnes, and would sing with oysters or hors d’oeuvres. May only be available at The Pourium (942 Portage Ave.). 4.5/5

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De Martino 2020 Nuevo Mondo Gran Reserva (Maipo, Chile — $11.20, select Liquor Marts)

This organic Chilean red is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec grapes; it’s deep purplish-red in colour and aromatically brings cassis, mocha, roasted meat, blackberry and plum notes.

It’s dry and full-bodied, with ripe dark berry flavours along with mocha, white pepper and meaty notes, modest tannins and acidity and a medium-length finish (it’s 13.5 per cent alcohol).

Drink now if you can find it — this is one of the “last chance” products (it was regular $15.99) available at select Liquor Marts.

It’s a well-priced red (at either price) that will drink well over the next 18-24 months. 3.5/5

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Doña Paula 2020 Altitude Series 1350 (Mendoza, Argentina — $26.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

This Argentine red, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Casavecchia grapes (the latter an obscure variety originally from Campania in Italy) is sourced from vineyards 1,350 metres above sea level.

It’s deep violet in colour and aromatically offers ripe blueberry, blackberry, cassis, spice, black pepper and raspberry liqueur notes; on the dense, ripe and full-bodied palate the dark fruit flavours are ripe but not jammy, delivered with peppery, meaty and spicy notes, a hint of vanilla (from 16 months aging in oak barrels), firm grippy tannins and a long, warm finish (it’s 14.5 per cent alcohol).

Drink with roasted meats or sharp cheeses, or set aside for two to three years to see if the rougher edges mellow out a bit. 3.5/5

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