Fine wines to celebrate the start of spring

Apr Sat 2024

16:06

The Sommelier Suggestions - Fine wines to celebrate the start of spring - Gentologie - Claude Boileau

Dear gentlemen, in this Sommelier’s Selection, we present some fine wines to celebrate the start of spring, a season full of beautiful moments. In five tables, we begin with a pearl of Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa, a jewel of Burgundy in white, a jewel of rosé from Provence and to culminate, in red for special occasions, a royal Bordeaux and a treasure from Veneto.

Fine wines to celebrate the start of spring : In white

Reyneke Sauvignon Blanc Biodynamic 2022

Johan Reyneke is a biodynamic pioneer whose vineyards are located in Stellenbosh. The nose is astonishing, with ripe apples and hints of honeysuckle. On the palate, lemon peel, honeydew melon and beeswax waltz around. The wine is naturally fermented and aged in French barrels for six months on its lees. Certified organic, it is a mouth-watering wine. Their Chenin Blanc also shines. Perfect with sushi or fried fish. Exhilarating.

Varietal :

100 % Sauvignon blanc

Available in SAQ

Jean-Claude Boisset Bourgogne Aligoté Organic 2021

The oenologist Grégory Patriot continues to refine his art with this certified organic cuvée, made with Aligoté, a fascinating grape variety grown here in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuit. With its beautiful pale yellow colour and golden hues, this wine reveals a nose and palate of fresh grapes, apples, honeysuckle and lemony notes. A wine with a lot of freshness in this warm vintage, with mineral, slightly toasted flavours and a good length on the palate. Enjoy it with gougères, snails à la bourguignonne, a terrine or a delicious snow crab. Enchanting. If not available, I suggest the Boisset Nature d’Ursulines Bourgogne Chardonnay 2021 (SAQ 15175452) or 2020 (SAQ 14422706).

Varietal :

100 % Aligoté

Available in SAQ

Fine wines to celebrate the start of spring : In Rosé

Domaine Ott By Ott Rosé 2022

Domaine Ott By Ott Rosé 2022

Here, we imagine ourselves in sunny Provence with its palm trees, where the history of this family vineyard goes back to the end of the 19th century with the agricultural engineer Marcel Ott. The fruit of his labours is an elegant rosé with a crystalline pale pink colour and orange highlights. The nose is fine and fruity, with notes of white peach and apricot, mixed with passion fruit. Fresh and crisp on the palate, with a full-bodied, fruity character and a hint of citrus zest and sweet spices (cinnamon, cardamom). A perfect accompaniment to smoked salmon blinis and tomato tart. Resplendent.

Varietals :

70 % Grenache
20 % Cinsault
20 % Syrah

Available in SAQ

Fine wines to celebrate the start of spring: In red

Château de Rouillac Pessac-Leognan 2018

Located in the south of Bordeaux, the Pessac-Leognan vineyards offer structured wines, thanks to the predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon and the terroir. A symphony of red cherries, blackcurrants and prunes, and 14 months’ maturing in French oak barrels bring notes of leather, tobacco, wood and full-bodied flavours. What a lovely mineral impression (graphite) this HVE wine also has. Tip: decant it to give it wings and refresh it slightly. It is the perfect accompaniment to a grilled tomahawk with pan-fried mushrooms or a morels risotto. Caressing.

Varietals :

58 % Cabernet-Sauvignon
42 % Merlot

Available in SAQ

Montresor Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva 2012

The bottle is as seductive as its prestigious DOCG (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) wine. The grapes are dried using the “Appassimento” process and then vinified, giving the wine a beautiful intensity. On the nose, it offers notes of ripe fruit, such as cherries, and spices. On the palate, an oratorio of cherry, tobacco and cocoa. This is a full-bodied, velvety wine with a full, persistent finish. It goes well with grilled or braised red meats, game and mature cheeses. Tip: uncork the bottle an hour before serving and refresh for some time. Supereminent. If unavailable, try the classic Montresor Amarone della Valpolicella (SAQ 240,416).

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