Quebec
If someone had told me 20 years ago that Quebec winegrowers would sell all their production in a few hours, I would never have believed it. What a long way! Today we produce many wines of which we can be very proud, of impeccable quality and, above all, of an authenticity that delights us. And the open and collaborative spirit of our winegrowers, the most established as well as the newcomers, delights us just as much and promises a very bright future. The perfect excuse to set off to discover Quebec vineyards next summer!
PHOTO FROM THE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT @TRESPRECIEUXSANG
The first wines of Très-Précieux-Sang are sold in about thirty restaurants.
Among the most recent domains, two to discover: Très-Précieux-Sang, in Bécancour (subscribe to its newsletter to find out when the next wines will go on sale), and Domaine Oak Hill, in Melbourne (you will find a list points of sale on the site).
Spain
PHOTO FROM THE SAQ WEBSITE
Envinate Benje Red Ycoden-Daute-Isora 2020
Not a region, the whole country!
I have long had a love and hate affair with Spain. Love, because like France or Italy, the country is full of magnificent terroirs and enjoys a rich ampelographic heritage. Of hatred, because for a very long time, he made commercial and soulless wines from it. Today, wine-growing Spain is incredibly dynamic and never ceases to surprise us. From the Canary Islands to the Balearic Islands via La Manche and Galicia, each corner of the country conceals veritable wine nuggets which are today revalorized by new generations of winegrowers, for our greatest pleasure: ancient terroirs, grape varieties and traditions to discover.
Wines from Envinate, Bernabeleva and Comando G are all part of this new Spanish wave. Watch for their arrivals at the SAQ.
Touraine and Anjou, in France
PHOTO FROM THE SAQ WEBSITE
Domaine Catherine and Pierre Breton Bourgueil Cuvée Trinch Épaulé Jeté 2020
My heart rests between the two. The crystalline purity of Chenins de Montlouis or the intense minerality of Chenins de Savennières? And the many variations in between. The vineyards of Touraine and Anjou give birth to superb white chenins, with distinct expressions according to the terroirs. Cabernet Franc is not to be outdone: from Chinon to Saumur, and all around, we make delightful wines for drinking as well as great wines for laying down. And what about the delicious Grolleau wines to whistle with friends. In short, the styles are numerous, and the conscientious winegrowers, who produce straightforward and good natural wines, are even more so.
Here are two references, winegrowers who produce authentic local wines, in both white and red, which are a source of great pleasure: Domaine Catherine and Pierre Breton in Touraine, and Mathieu Vallée at Château Yvonne in Anjou.
Itata and Bío Bío, in Chile
PHOTO FROM THE RÉZIN WEBSITE
Rogue Vine Grand Itata Tinto
The vine has been cultivated in Chile since the XVIe century. But it was in the 1980s and 1990s that Chilean wine made its appearance on foreign markets. Everything was then centered on Cabernet Sauvignon and the regions near Santiago. And yet, more than 400 km south of the capital, in the regions of Itata and Bío Bío, a very old viticultural heritage remains, a vestige of the first centuries of viticulture, with some of the oldest vines in the country and several of the grape varieties introduced by the first European settlers. Today, there is a nursery of talented winegrowers who strive to enhance this rich heritage, with a very natural vision of wine.
Two headliners in the region are Leo Erazo of Rogue Vine (wines offered through the RéZin agency) and Roberto Henriquez (by the Dame-Jeanne agency).
Rheinhessen, Germany
PHOTO FROM THE SAQ WEBSITE
Alexander Gysler Weissburgunder Rheinhessen 2021
Rhenish Hesse (Rheinhessen in German) has long suffered from an inglorious reputation: it is the region of origin of the infamous liebfraumilch. But in 30 years, it has experienced a real renaissance and is today one of the most dynamic regions thanks to new generations who have abandoned volume in favor of quality. Several of them are pioneers in organic and biodynamic viticulture. The supply of quality wines has multiplied: from fresh and juicy wines for everyday consumption, to some of the finest Rieslings and Pinot Noirs in the country.
Some domains that can be found at the SAQ (but always in small quantities, you have to stay on the lookout!): Wittmann, BD Schmitt, Alexander Gysler, Thörle and Kühling-Gillot, for the crème de la crème.