Now that we are in a self-isolation thanks to COVID-19, it’s time to think pleasant and positive thoughts. Spring sprang forth yesterday and the weather obliged with sunshine and warmer temperatures.
And that means more outdoor activities to enjoy! Walks in the park, getting your garden ready for planting, and barbecuing on the patio or deck. With all that fresh healthy air and exercise, you might want to uncork some mouth-watering wines.
Here is a pair of wines to fit the bill. First up is a white 2018 Gabriel Meffre St. Vincent Cotes du Rhone Blanc ($15.99 on sale until March 31). It has a striking colour in the glass: lemon yellow with a brass tinge. The bouquet reveals floral scents and a blend of pear, orange, and peach. Produced from a blend of Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Rousanne grapes, it is fresh with ripe fruit and a lengthy dry finish. Plus there is garrigue, which adds complexity to this delicious white wine.
Garriguerefers to the herbal smell and taste that wines possess from fragrant plants growing on the limestone hills of the Mediterranean coast. Somehow the personality of the juniper, thyme, rosemary and lavender gets in the grapes and the wine; Voila, this is garrigue.
One of the biggest mistakes wine drinkers make is serving white wines too cold. Place the bottle in the fridge for two hours and then leave it at room temperature for 15 minutes. It will reveal its bouquet and flavours much more than if it is icy cold.
Enjoy with seafood such as scallops seared in butter in a yuzu (citrus) sauce with a splash of the wine to add some continuity. Available at government stores including Seafair and Brighouse.
And if you are barbecuing this first weekend in spring, reach for a Wakefield 2016 Shiraz ($17.99 on sale until March 31) from the beautiful Clare Valley of South Australia. If you find Aussie Shirazes too jammy, you’ll love Wakefield. Because the grapes are grown in a cooler climate region, the wine is a bit like a Rhone Syrah, which is where Australian Shiraz vines came from in the 19th century.
It has an intense dark red colour and the bouquet is also generous with lots of dark fruit and chocolate. In the mouth it has ripe blackberry and cassis as well black licorice. Smooth, medium to full bodied. Lip smacking beaut, mate!’
Another common mistake is serving red wines too warm. Room temperature is too warm causing the alcohol to be more obvious in the smell and flavour. In addition, the refreshing is less obvious, causing the red to be limp. The solution is to put the wine in the fridge for half an hour. It will end up being cellar temperature. The alcohol won’t be as noticeable and the acid level will make the wine more refreshing to drink.
Serve the Wakefield Shiraz with barbecued steak, hamburgers, or lamb; a perfect way to celebrate the first weekend of spring! Wakefield Shiraz is available at most government stores including Brighouse and Seafair.
