Give tastebuds a trip around the world

The 55th edition of Folklorama is moving into its second week, with music, food, costumes and, of course, drinks in ample supply at venues throughout the city.

With that in mind, here are six sippables tasted recently, all of which hail from countries represented in the second week of Folklorama’s pavilions.

Sophie Schaal 2024 Born of Fire Chenin Blanc (Swartland, South Africa — around $31, private wine stores)

Medium gold in appearance, this South African Chenin Blanc offers opulent mango, honeycomb, apricot and an herbal, woolly component aromatically.

It’s medium-bodied, dry and viscous, with deep ripe tropical fruit and red apple flavours accompanied by honey, herbal and spice notes, a hint of chalky salinity and some warmth on the finish (it’s 13.5 per cent alcohol) with only modest oak aging.

A beautifully complex but approachable and delicious white available at Kenaston Wine Market, the Pourium, The Winehouse and Jones & Co. Try with salmon or shellfish, mild cheeses or even pork tenderloin. 4.5/5

Villa Annaberta 2022 Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore (Veneto, Italy — $24.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

A blend of indigenous grapes Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, this Italian red undergoes a brief second fermentation on the marc (pomace) of grapes used to make Amarone.

It’s pale cherry in appearance with brickish edges, and aromatically offers dried fruit, caramel, plum, raisin and subtle cedar notes.

On the palate, it’s medium-plus bodied and dry, with a core of dried cherry and raisins coming with plum and spice notes plus a woody, cedar note thanks to 24 months in barrel.

Tannins and acidity are modest, while the 13.5 per cent alcohol offers warmth. Try with eggplant parmesan, pasta in a spicier red sauce or pizza. 3.5/5

Viu Manent 2002 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile — $17.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Deep garnet in appearance, the grapes for this Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon were sourced primarily from a vineyard that’s home to 100-plus year-old vines.

Aromatically it brings bright eucalyptus, cassis, vanilla, blackberry and spice notes; on the dry, full-bodied palate those dark berry fruit flavours are dense and jammy, with black pepper, black tea and hints of eucalyptus and spice (a portion of the wine is aged in used barrels for six months).

It brings medium tannins and, at 14 per cent alcohol, a fairly warm finish. Drink now with steak, a hearty stew or sharp cheeses and get it now while it’s on sale (regular $19.99). 4/5

Pradorey 2024 X Decima Edition (Ribera Del Duero, Spain — $19.95, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Made from the Tempranillo grape, this Spanish red is deep crimson in appearance, bringing raspberry, lacquer, white pepper, plum and anise notes aromatically.

It’s full-bodied, dry and jammy, with rich raspberry and plum notes coming with black licorice and herbal components, cedar and vanilla notes (thanks to 10 months in oak barrel), medium acidity and tannins and a warm finish (it’s a punchy 15 per cent alcohol).

Let this aerate in a glass for half an hour or decant before serving, or set aside for 3-5 years. Would work with hearty stews or spicier fare. 3.5/5

Pascual Toso 2022 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina — $29.99, The Winehouse)

Inky purple in appearance, this Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon brings tightly-wound blackcurrant, plum, white pepper, cocoa and spice, the latter two in part due to 12 months in new barrels.

It’s dense, full-bodied and dry, with the ripe, jammy dark berry and plum notes coming with the cocoa/spice components as well as some vanilla from the wood.

The tannins are chewy and fairly firm, there’s decent acidity that keeps the fruit lively and, at 14 per cent alcohol, the wine brings a long, warm finish.

Drinks really nicely now (try with grilled meats like they would in Argentina), or can be set aside for 3-4 years. 4.5/5

Grant’s Triple Wood Blended Scotch Whisky (Banffshire, Scotland — $32.99/750ml bottle, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Deep copper in appearance, this blended scotch is aged in three different types of wood — new American oak, used American oak and ex-bourbon casks.

It offers bright but well-rounded woody notes alongside biscuit, fresh malt, herbal and vanilla aromas.

It’s off-dry, medium-bodied and quite smooth, with malty and biscuit flavours coming with caramel, vanilla, baking spice and brown sugar flavours, while the 40 per cent alcohol is typical and fairly modest for a whisky.

A consistently decent dram for the price, and a good entry point into whisky for neophytes. Enjoy with dessert or sitting around a fire. 3.5/5

ben.sigurdson@winnipegfreepress.com