Six long-weekend libations

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/04/2025 (345 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A long weekend means the physical Free Press Arts and Life section is a wee bit cramped, with the extra space needed for the horoscopes and what have you. (This Scorpio does not approve.)

With that in mind, here are six wines recently tasted (and enjoyed) that would pair nicely with any sort of holiday weekend/Easter dinner or brunch you might be having…

For the Canadian wine of the week, let’s go with the Benjamin Bridge NV Rosé Méthode Classique (Gaspereau Valley, N.S. — $32-$44, private wine stores), a 55-30-15 blend of L’Acadie Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This Nova Scotia bubbly is pale pink in colour, with fresh floral, raspberry, cherry and bread dough notes aromatically.

It’s dry and light-bodied, with bright effervescence and medium acidity working well with ripe red berry and bread dough flavours, a hint of chalkiness and, at 12 per cent alcohol, a medium-length finish. If you’ve not yet tried Nova Scotia wine — bubbly or otherwise — this is as good a place as any to start.

There’s a wide price range on this wine, which is available at (in ascending price order) Calabria Market, Element Wine + Spirits, the Winehouse and the Pourium. The non-pink, non-vintage brut available at Liquor Marts and beyond for $27.92 is also excellent. 4.5/5

For those looking for a white with a hint of sweetness, the Moraine 2023 Cliffhanger White (Okanagan Valley, B.C. — $24.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) is a blend of Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Riesling made in a style reminiscent of the ripe and rich wines of France’s Alsace region.

It’s very pale straw in appearance but aromatically brings intense floral, waxy, red apple, pear, peach and spice notes. It’s off-dry, light-plus bodied and viscous, with great texture that balances spice and ripe stone/tree fruit flavours, an underlying waxiness and, at 13 per cent alcohol, a lingering finish. 4/5

Similarly rich but with less sweetness is the organic and biodymanic M. Chapoutier 2023 Combe Pilate Viognier (Collines Rhodaniennes, France — $27.99, Liquor Marts and beyond), the grapes for which are sourced from the Collines Rhodaniennes region adjacent to the northern Rhône Valley. Aromatically the wine brings floral, pear, peach and light spice notes with a flinty undercurrent that’s compelling.

It’s dry, light-plus bodied and slightly viscous (the wine has undergone malolactic fermentation, the conversion of sharper malic acid to softer, creamier lactic acid); flavour-wise there’s plenty of peach, apricot, red apple, spice and subtle savoury notes, with the interplay between the chalky note, the creaminess and the modest acidity adding lovely complexity.

The alcohol’s a modest 12.5 per cent; offers finesse and elegance that’s worth a taste. 4.5/5

If a splash of pink wine is what you’re after this long weekend, the Gray Monk 2023 Rosé (Okanagan Valley, B.C. — $18.89, Liquor Marts and beyond) is a tasty blend of Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Gamay. It’s pale pink in appearance and brings aromas of fresh watermelon, peach, fresh-cut flowers and a candied berry note.

It’s a dry but fruity and light-plus bodied rosé, with fresh peach, sweet citrus, strawberry and cherry flavours coming with medium acidity and a lovely hint of viscosity before a medium-length finish (it’s 13.6 per cent alcohol).

Balances freshness and elegance well; grab it while it’s on sale (it’s regular $20.99) until the end of the month. 4/5

From the southern, cooler reaches of South America comes the Humberto Canale 2023 Pinot Noir (Patagonia, Argentina — $19.99, Liquor Marts and beyond). Pale cherry red in appearance, this Argentine Pinot Noir offers lovely cherry, strawberry candy, cola and earthy aromas as well as subtle forest floor and mushroom notes.

It’s dry and light-bodied, with ripe cherry and red berry flavours coming with licorice, spice, earth and white pepper flavours, modest tannins, medium acidity and, at 13.5 per cent alcohol, a modestly lingering finish.

Delivers New World fruitness but with some great Burgundian complexity. 4/5

Pale ruby in colour, the Casa Mariol 2023 Garnatxa Negra (Terra Alta, Spain — around $25, private wine stores) is an organic, vegan and minimal-intervention (read: natural) red that offers lovely violet, cherry, red berry and subtle spice aromas.

It’s medium-bodied and dry — a touch lighter than many examples of the grape (also known as Grenache or Garnacha) — but is bursting with ripe cherry and red berry flavours, brings a decent bit of acidity along with modest tannins and very slight wood influence, and the 13.5 per cent alcohol seems just right. Juicy, fun and fresh; available at Ellement Wine + Spirits. 4/5

uncorked@mts.net

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