A friend sent me a picture of neon sign that read: "Save the Earth. It's the only planet with wine." Many people in our province are exploring and enjoying the world of grape wines for a variety of reasons: celebration, food enhancement, relaxation. May I suggest another, more sub-conscious reason for the growing popularity of wine? The affirmation of uniqueness. Wine is one of those entities that subtly defies box-store sameness that mars so much of our daily life. What do I mean?
Wine is never boring. There's a world of grape varieties grown in dozens of countries - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz/Syrah, to name only a few you may have heard of before. And just when you thought you could recognize a Merlot grape wine, you tried a Monastrell grape wine, or someone poured you a Petit Verdot, and on it goes. There are over 120 grape varieties unique to Portugal alone!
Wine can be so regionally, even vineyard specific. Except for the "Wal-Martized" wines that are about mass sourced grape juice from wherever they can find it then put into colourful bottles and usually sold for $10.99 or less, wines tell a geographical story. A Sauvignon Blanc wine from France and a Sauvignon Blanc wine from New Zealand have real taste and nose distinctiveness. It gets even more specific than that: I tasted two Pinot Noir wines in Burgundy, France from the same year (vintage)- one from each side of a gravel road that ran between the vineyards - two noticeably distinct wines! So while there are limits to how much you can explore the moon, there are no limits to our worlds' wines.
Wine is what happens when farmer meets artist. We understand a bit about farming in this province. We understand the interplay of weather and soil conditions, timing in seeding, weeding and harvest. All winemakers I have ever met identify themselves as farmers first, then crafters of what nature gives them in any specific year. Here the artist comes to the fore helping craft the grape harvest toward the finished product - the wine that you and I enjoy. You acknowledge and honour farming and art when you enjoy a glass of wine.
So when I select a bottle of wine to open with you, I'm opening liquid uniqueness, and in doing so, we're celebrating the uniqueness of this time, these circumstances, your uniqueness and mine.
Doug's Wine Picks of the Week
Wild Â鶹´«Ã½AV Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011/12 - New Zealand ($19.98 - ID# 7594)- Winemaker: Christie Brown. Wine Description: Intensely fragrant ..dab it behind your ears as perfume replacement! Tropical and gooseberry aromas, crisp, ripe lemon-lime nuances. Food pairing suggestions: lake and seafood (a "marriage" with fresh walleye or northern pike), salads, pork, asparagus, goat cheese, herbs and herb dishes, etc.
Terras de Paul Red 2010 -Portugal ($14.95 - ID# 10142) - Winemaker: Mr. Monteiro de Matos. Wine Description: Castelao, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicant Bouchet and Syrah (also known as Shiraz) grapes. All picked from one vineyard and matured for 12 months in oak barrels. Aromas of very mature red fruit, smooth, good structure, soft tannins and an lengthy finish. Perhaps the steal of the province for quality at price point. And tell your Albertan friends its not available in Alberta, they'll have to come here! Food pairing suggestions: red meats, pastas and lasagnes, soft cheeses, etc.
All wines listed are available in Saskatchewan through your local government liquor store or rural Liquor franchisee. If they don't have it in stock, request it by ID No., they'll bring it in.
Doug Reichel
Visit: FineWinesSask.com
