Things I Don’t Usually Drink

I recently surprised myself by enjoying two wines I almost never drink.

Now, let me be clear that this is NOT because I am a wine snob, however many people I know think I must be because I am a sommelier.

I AM NOT A WINE SNOB.

As I’ve stated on this website, I think enjoying wine is far more about context than the quality of the wine itself. You could give me the best bottle on the planet and make me drink it with people I don’t like in a situation that I find loathsome and I guarantee I won’t like that wine. Alternatively, give me a mediocre bottle shared with family and friends I love and I’ll think it is very quaffable. (As with all similar blanket statements, note the disclaimer that there are most definitely some exceptions to the rule; I’m not going to name names, but those mass-produced excuses for wine know who they are.)

So, two wines I don’t usually drink, not because I am a snob, but because they most often don’t reflect the style of wine I like: California Cabernet Sauvignon and Italian Pinot Grigio.

Before anyone freaks out because I have named two of the world’s most popular wines, I realize these wines range from the sublime to the absurd, so I’m not trying to make a statement about quality on either front. These are just not wines I’d gravitate to at the LCBO or on a restaurant wine list. I generally like more eclectic stuff.

But recently I have found two examples of these wines I don’t usually drink that I’d happily open in my house for my own enjoyment and with friends. And guess what? They are affordable! YAY! So here you go:

Buried Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

$19.95 (on sale online for $16.95 until November 6^th), LCBO #356113

This is interesting, very enjoyable and affordable California Cab. I served it at the wine tasting recently and, because of my generally Cab-less palate, I had to sip it several times to convince myself my taste buds were not betraying me. It’s really quite good. Deep garnet in colour with nice blackberry fruit, chocolate, tobacco and leather on the nose. On the palate, fine, restrained, elegant and without overly ripe or chewy fruit. Drinks more like a Bordeaux than the more recognizable California fruit bomb I’m used to at this price. I’d buy this any day of the week and serve it with anything meaty and robust.

Nals Magreid Pinot Grigio 2014

$16.95, VINTAGES #290924 

I’ll start with: it tastes like something! This is a statement I don't make about many Pinot Grigios in our market, as they often taste like nothing at all and are best served almost frozen on a sweaty summer day to get any kind of sensory satisfaction (and that satisfaction comes from the fact that enough of it will eventually drop your body temperature). This wine is decidedly not that. On the nose there are lots of bright citrus aromas with just a hint of something tropical. The body is juicy and the flavours ripe and intense but with a hint of a savoury, nutty undertone and a cool, dry finish. Really, super drinkable. This will be a crowd pleaser for sure, and for me a regular go-to "drink-while-you-cook” wine – a staple in my house like Sel de Mer and good olive oil.

Let me be clear that these wines are not going to change your life. However, they are good value offerings and good Wednesday night wines to keep on hand!

And because I like things in threes, here is a grape varietal I do like and another lovely, affordable recent find:

El Gordo del Circo Verdejo 2014

$17.95, VINTAGES #441220

Round and generous on the palate, this wine bursts forth with peach, apricot, lime, citrus and tropical fruit notes which slide into a lovely dry finish. Great sipper on its own or I’d serve it with ceviche or grilled fish. Spanish whites are wines to watch – and I’ll keep an eye out for more to drink and write about!

Until next time, enjoy your wine.

Anjana