Celebrate survey season with a quick booze questionnaire

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/05/2024 (862 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Judging by my inbox, we’re in peak survey season.

Over the last week alone I’ve had requests to fill out online surveys from my auto mechanic, a rental car company (which I had to employ because of needing said auto mechanic), my mobile phone provider (don’t get me started), an airline (really, don’t get me started), a hotel, the organization that organized my recent week-long wine-tasting trip to Sicily (more on that trip soon) and a big-box store from which I purchased a wok.

I don’t mind the occasional survey, especially when I have thoughts on how a person or business could do something better, or when I think a person or business has done a fantastic job. But really, would anything I have to say about walking into a store and buying a wok be of any use? I walked in, picked up the wok, paid for it and left. The end.

I digress. Having said that, one thing this surplus of surveys got me thinking about was what folks might want to see in this space. Eighteen-plus years of writing about wine, beer and spirits can make one feel occasionally adrift — like I’ve already written about anything that merits attention.

So now it’s my turn, Uncorked readers, to present you with a little survey of my own: is there something you’d like to see more or less of in terms of wine, beer or spirits coverage?

A focus on a particular grape or region? More wine-and-food pairing ideas? More value-priced wines, more premium products?

More local beer? Less local beer? The politics of buying and selling booze in Manitoba?

A platform (beyond the printed paper or Free Press website) on which you’d like to see more content (think Instagram or even, gulp, TikTok)?

I enjoy hearing from readers and, as so many surveys have pleaded in my inbox, your feedback is important to us (read: me). I’d love to hear your thoughts on how I can — to riff on said surveys — improve your user experience.

Wines of the week

Whitehaven 2023 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand — $21.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

This mass-produced New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is pale straw in colour, bringing bright lime, grapefruit, green apple and herbal notes on the nose.

It’s dry, crisp and light-bodied, with fresh green apple and citrus flavours accompanied by a subtle herbal note and underlying bell pepper notes before the medium-length finish.

A solid and serviceable Sauvignon Blanc. 3/5

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Crudo 2022 Catarratto Zibibbo (Sicily, Italy — $19.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

An organic white blend of indigenous Catarratto and Zibibbo grapes, this Sicilian white offers up-front pineapple and mango notes as well as peach, bruised apple and floral components.

It’s light-plus bodied, ripe and off-dry, bringing hints of honeyed sweetness with peach and tropical flavours and a viscous texture before some bruised apple notes on the finish.

It lacks the vibrant salinity I picked up most Sicilian whites while I was there earlier in May, but it’s tasty all the same. 3.5/5

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Tom Gore Vineyards 2021 Chardonnay (California — $19.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Medium gold in colour, this California Chardonnay offers typical ripe red apple, pear, peach and vanilla notes on the nose.

It’s dry, medium-bodied and slightly viscous, with coconut and vanilla flavours that come with ripe red apple, peach and butterscotch notes, a splash of acidity and a medium length finish.

Not a paradigm shifter, but pretty typical of this price point from California, and will meet expectations of those who love a big, oaky Chardonnay. 2.5/5

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Peter Lehmann 2021 Layers Red (Adelaide, Australia — $15.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

A blend of Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo and Grenache grapes, this Aussie red brings black cherry, iron, plum, raspberry and chocolate cake notes aromatically.

It’s dry and full-bodied, with ripe dark berry and cherry notes coming with chocolate cake, white pepper and black tea flavours, medium tannins that provide grip and a medium-length finish — the 14.5 per cent alcohol isn’t obtrusive.

Chill for 15 minutes and enjoy with burgers or ribs. A very good deal while it’s on sale (it’s regular $17.99). 3.5/5

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Fossalta di Piave 2022 Gran Passione Rosso (Veneto, Italy — $16.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

A blend of Merlot and Corvina grapes, there’s a pretty cocoa note that comes with ripe plum, cherry, vanilla bean and violet notes on the nose.

There’s a touch of sweetness to this medium-plus bodied Italian red that accentuates the plush blueberry and plum notes, while the vanilla and cocoa notes persist with moderate tannins and a medium-length finish (it’s 14 per cent alcohol).

Fans of fruit-forward California red blends looking to get into slightly drier alternatives will find this a good stepping stone. 3/5

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Longview Vineyards 2021 Yakka Shiraz (Adelaide Hills, Australia — $31.99, The Pourium)

Sourced from five plots in the Adelaide Hills region of Australia, this Shiraz brings iron, black cherry, plum white pepper and raspberry notes aromatically.

It’s dry and medium-plus-bodied, offering herbal, iron and pepper notes typical of a cooler-climate Shiraz, with ripe black cherry and plum flavours showing nicely as well.

The tannins are modest, there’s a good splash of acidity and the finish (13.5 per cent alcohol) brings some length.

It delivers New World fruit with some rustic Old World charm — well done. 4/5

uncorked@mts.net

@bensigurdson