Posts

Akel, a new Chilean red wine that worth the discovery!

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(By Marina La Forgia) Akel, which means red in the Mapuche language, is the name of the new wine from the Chilean winery Montgras that has arrived to the SAQ gondolas. A blend of Syrah, Garnacha and Carignan that surprises and pleases thanks to its pronounced notes of red and black berry fruits, leather and cinnamon. The palate is very unctuous and pleasant. Although it has spent 12 months in the barrels, the oak contribution is gentle, subtle and elegant, respecting the great potential and splendor of these three red varieties that grow and mature so well in the Colchagua Valley. A little advice to enjoy it at its best? Leave it uncorked or poured for about 15 minutes before tasting it ... that way all its pleasant and full bouquet of aromas will blossom! Montgras is one of the wineries in the region that practices sustainable agriculture and its wines have in my humble opinion an excellent price-quality ratio. The new red Akel is another label that could confirm it.

V8 +, a Prosecco with many virtues to discover!

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By Marina La Forgia Icon of the Italian bubbles, the Prosecco continue to gain followers in the world and Quebec is not the exception. A new sparkling wine from the great wine house Genagricola has arrived at the SAQ gondolas with a name that is easy to remember, V8 +. They say that eight minutes is what it takes the sunlight to reach the Earth and the "eight" is also the number that symbolizes infinity ... now it is also the trademark of a new sparkling wine! Made 100% with the traditional Glera grape, this Prosecco DOC Brut and Millesimato is a deliciously fresh and fruity wine, with pleasant notes of green apple, pear and peach. On the palate, this young sparkling wine stands out for its slightly mineral character, not so easy to find in the more traditional Prosecco. A wine of excellent price quality ratio, very easy drinking and with an original label and bottles. In the price point of less than 20 canadian dollars is the ideal “party” ally. (MLF)

The Ladron and the secrets of Mencía

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(By Marina La Forgia) Ladron is a delicious and original red wine of the Mencía variety produced by Casa Rojo. Innovative and avant-garde as only a few in Spain, this winery has been surprising me for all the attractive labels for all the different wines. Mencía is an Iberic variety that has been forgotten for decades and is now beginning to be reborn and to win fans among young winemakers. Some studies relate this grape variety to Cabernet Franc and the best place in the world for it seems to be the Bierzo region. This is where this young red comes from, it has a strong character that expresses the best of this terroir. Made from old vines planted in the area and without any wood aging, Ladron is a very fruity young wine overflowing notes of cherry, raspberry, wild flowers, licorice and mint. In the mouth it surprises by its unctuousness, its pronounced minerality and its fruit intensity. An irreverent and particular wine that shows the particularities of a very Spanish variety that

Mountain Blend Chardonnay: Intense expression of the mountains

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From argentine producer Santa Julia arrives in the Quebec market a new wine that fortunately in my opinion helps to open the door for discovering new flavors and varieties of Mendoza. The grape Chardonnay, the star of the whites in the world, also has a very special terroir in the Uco Valley. This mineral and refreshing white wine, pleasantly surprised me by its delicate aromas of apple, jasmine and peach, and a slight but consistent structure in the mouth. With only 6 months in oak barrels, the wine preserves its fruity character and some flavors that remind me of the stony and alluvial soil so characteristic of the region. A delicious wine perfect for uncorking any of these summer evenings while it rests in the SAQ stores!  (Marina La Forgia)

A Malbec as bright as the stars ...

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"The moon has just come out, tonight the grapes will sleep illuminated by the stars, and tomorrow the sun will bathe the magic vine ..." It is always a pleasure how new variants of great Malbec wines are still born. I have recently had the opportunity to taste this new wine from Viña Las Estrellas, which I have liked very much because of its authentic character, but even more for its elegance and softness. Without ceasing to be perfectly expressive, it is a Malbec that responds to the new trend. A subtle and friendly wine to seduce the palates of the world. With all the typical notes we can expect and coming from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, it offers in the nose a very perfumed bouquet with flowers, some cinnamon and nuts. In the mouth, although it has been for 6 months aging in new barrels, I must emphasize that this contact and influence of the oak is well assembled with the fruit, since it has a fresh, unctuous and balanced character. A Malbec with a delicious expressi

Camping and good wines

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(By Marina La Forgia)  A new summer season begins and going on camping is one of the most beautiful and accessible activities that I found myself to enjoy the magic of nature. With friends or family, there is nothing more pleasant than sitting around the fire and enjoying pleasant sunsets and picnics outdoors. It does not take a big budget to have a good time. Here 3 wine proposals that were my perfect allies this weekend in the Mont Orford National Park. Aufkellereien One of the classic grocery wines, the white Aufkellereien is a fruity, refreshing and unpretentious German wine, that indeed very pleasant. It is the ideal appetizer, since it seduces all palates. Sea Ridge Merlot A good choice of light red wine, with pleasant notes of red fruits and very easy to drink. The palate also has soft spicy notes that give to the wine a nice freshness and a good finish on the palate. Good price-quality ratio. Château Lamartine Exclusively for the gondolas of th

Valdemar Blanco: a refreshing Rioja breeze

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Conde Valdemar White 2017 Bodegas Valdemar DOC Rioja (Alavesa) - Spain SAQ price: $ 15.10 (By Marina La Forgia) Much is said about Rioja's classic reds, but whites are also great wines to discover. Such is the case of Valdemar Blanco, a winery that keeps the elegance of traditional wines but is also one of the most innovative of the region. One of its modern style wines is this excellent fresh and unctuous white made from 4 grape varieties: 70% of the native Viura, 15% of Verdejo, 10% of Sauvignon Blanc and 5% of Tempranillo Blanco. This interesting blend can only give a wine overflowing plenty of very nice aromas but the tropical fruits notes stand out. On the palate, however, I liked it for its mineral character and its refreshing acidity. A great and affordable wine, it is an excellent option to marry the delicious Spanish food. I have paired it with a homemade seafood paella and together they have expressed wonderfully!