Let's go to France for some joie de vivre.
Italy for la dolce vita.
Say 'g'day, mate' in Australia.
Salud! in Chile.
And, chin chin in Argentina.
We're doing this romp around the world because the column features nine red wines from five countries — a veritable international roundtrip of vinous deliciousness.
.jpg)
Since it's still winter, we're reaching more for warming reds, whether it's a light-bodied Pinot Noir, a medium-bodied Malbec or a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.
Whatever your red yearning, this cross-section of garnet beauties will provide inspiration and gratification.
– Louis Latour Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2022 ($40) from France
Aromas and flavours of cherry, raspberry and vanilla with a little bit of earthiness.
My wife, Kerry, and I drank it with pork tenderloin in a cream of mushroom sauce.
– Arboleda 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24) from Chile
A full-bodied, approachable and affordable red for Tuesday night barbecued burgers.
– Corryton Burge 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24) from Australia
Another affordable red ready for when 'snags' (sausages) come off the 'barbie' (barbecue).
– Pasqua Vinto Passimento Rosso 2021 ($20) from Italy
An incredible price for a lush wine that undergoes an additional process of slightly drying grapes before fermentation for extra concentration and mouthfeel.
– Manos Negras 2021 Malbec ($23) from Argentina
The grapes, grown in rocky soil, yield a wine with flinty minerality and bright acidity, complemented by aromas and flavours of blackberry and violet.
.png)
Photo credits: Nathan Damlao and Chad Montano on UnsplashHave your red with beef stew or pizza.
– La Linda Old Vines 2022 Malbec ($19) from Argentina
The grapes are grown at higher altitudes for a red that has both power and lifting acidity.
Serve with beef stew.
– Poggio Civetta Governo All'Uso Toscana 2021 ($30) from Italy
Governo is another word for passimento, the process of partially drying a portion of the grapes for lush, soft, full, fruity results in the wine.
I'm thinking spaghetti bolognese as a pairing.
– Villa Antinori 2020 Toscana ($31) from Italy
A dense, rich and smooth blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Italian favourite Sangiovese.
It had me yearning for osso buco (the renowned Italian dish of veal shanks slow-cooked in tomato sauce).
– Gufo Terre di Chieti 2024 Sangiovese/Merlot ($19)
Your cheap and cheerful pizza wine.
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. His wine column appears here every Friday afternoon. Reach him at smacnaull@nowmediagroup.ca.
