Aquatic Treasures | To drink while teasing the fish

No, these suggestions for wine and beer to accompany the fish will not make your fishing more successful. On the other hand, they will allow you to wait a few hours at the end of the quay with a smile.

Karyne Duplessis Piche
special cooperation

Long live the can

A sign that the can is gaining in popularity, even among wine producers, this ecological and practical format contains more and more quality products. The proof: the Fram Wines Grenache Gris 2021, a South African orange wine, is a pure delight. It is produced by Thinus Krüger. This oenologist worked for a dozen years at the Boschendal estate before starting his own project called Fram. In the 250 ml can, the color is deep orange thanks to the maceration of the Grenache Gris skins for three weeks. Scents of black tea, herbs and fruits are inviting. On the palate, the juicy attack is followed by a pleasant tannic structure that allows you to enjoy the wine both alone and at the table, once the fish has come out of the lake.

Fram Wines Grenache Gris 2021 (14853725) $8.10

Salmon pink

Choosing the color of the wine according to the color of the dish is not the most complex way to create your pairings. But it often works! Rosé is therefore a good choice to accompany salmon, in particular this cuvée de Provence, Les Béatines Coteaux d’Aix en Provence rosé 2021. This blend of grenache, syrah and cinsault has an almost oily texture in the mouth, a marriage ideal with fish meat. Its aromas of red fruits, melon and fine herbs are very classic, but it is impossible to get tired of it. Certified organic, it can be put in the cooler all summer long.

Les Béatines Coteaux d’Aix en Provence rosé 2021 (11232261), $21.55

Gourmet white

The founder of the American Bonny Doon estate, Randall Graham, sold his vineyard two years ago. Despite the great reputation of his wines, the profitability of his business was not optimal. The winemaker admits it bluntly: “I am an artist, not a wine seller. Graham no longer manages the finances, but he is still responsible for the vinification and this Cigare Blanc cuvée is sublime. Always inspired by the wines of the Rhône, Mr. Graham wanted to pay homage to the white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. His cuvée brings together Grenache, Vermentino and Clairette. The scents of pineapple, lime and basil mingle with notes of oak barrels. On the palate, it is round, spicy and long. A marvel with rainbow trout cooked en papillote.

Bonny Doon The 2020 Central Coast White Cigar (14602900), $24.95

The habit makes the monk

The label of this Spanish white, the 2021 Sumarroca Tuvi Penedes, couldn’t be more explicit: this wine goes well with fish. The Sumarroca estate has created this unusual blend based on xarel-lo, a local variety, to which is added gewurztraminer, riesling and viognier. It works ! He fills the glass with flowers and citrus. Its acidity is refreshing and its flavors melt into a subtly saline mouth. With grilled fish fillet, citrus salad and friends, this is a winning recipe.

Sumarroca Tuvi Penedes 2021 (13574687) $15.90

peach beer

Sauvignon blanc and fish go well together. The Boréale brewery was inspired by this agreement to create a new beer to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hooké brand. Boréale has flavored its brew with New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops, whose flavors (and name) are reminiscent of Sauvignon. Orange, lemon, basil and fresh herbs, the blonde beer is fragrant. Subtly bitter in the mouth, it fulfills its thirst-quenching mission.

Hooké Boréale, 475 ml, $5.19