To drink | Five wines under $20

Wine will not escape inflation. The SAQ will increase the price of many bottles at the end of May. European products are likely to be particularly affected by this increase, as the 2021 harvest was marked by spring frosts and heavy rains. Despite everything, it is possible to drink well without leaving your shirt there.

Karyne Duplessis Piche
special collaboration

Revise your classics

Its price is low, its quantity of alcohol is low and its taste is delicious, here is in a few words what sums up the Classic cuvée from the Tariquet estate. Produced for 40 years by the Grassa family in southwestern France, this blend of Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Gros Manseng and Sauvignon Blanc is lively and fragrant. A classic ! Its nose opens with spring notes of flowering lilac, lemon and boxwood. Its ample texture in the mouth is surprising for the price. Another surprise: with its 1150 hectares of vines, the estate also applies strict environmental and social rules. It’s not certified organic, but almost. To accompany a chic crab entrée or tuna salad, this wine will do the job.

Domaine Tariquet Côtes de Gascogne Classic, $12.85 (521518), 10.5%

light, light

Less than an hour and a half drive south of the coastal town of San Sebastián, Spain, the Basque Country extends to the Nekeas estate. Nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees, this vineyard breathes new life into a part of wine-growing Navarre whose vines had almost disappeared following the phylloxera crisis. Thanks to the vision and team spirit of several families in the region, the vine is taking root again and this cuvée of Grenache Noir is a foretaste of the potential of the Nekeas terroir. The pale color is unmistakable: this red is light and drinkable. The supple and juicy attack is perfumed with aromas of flowers and fresh herbs. It would be the perfect wine to accompany the tapas served in the heart of the narrow streets of San Sebastián, but if not, it is served with a tortilla of potatoes and chorizo.

Nekeas Cepa Por Cepa Navarra 2019, $15 (14199284), 14.5%

Unavoidable

If you like sparkling wines, stock up on this cava. Because in addition to being certified organic, it has seen its price drop in recent years. It may not be repeated. The great Sumarroca house combines chardonnay with the classic Catalan trio parellada, xarello and maccabeu. After a long aging of 36 months, the bubbles melt into a bouquet of great complexity. Flowers, honey and citrus scent the glass. The bitterness perceived on the palate adds length and goes wonderfully with a classic endive and walnut salad.

Sumarroca Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava 2018, $17.80 (13408929), 12%, organic

exotic

To crack the cork of this red is to set off on a journey to the heart of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. In the glass, the wine, composed mostly of Merlot, is spicy and generous. And its price is absolutely disconcerting. Aromas of black fruits mingle with smoky notes that evoke its aging in oak barrels. This type of aging is rare for a wine at this price, because both the barrel and the aging time are expensive for the producers. We take the opportunity to take out the barbecue and accompany it with the first grills of spring.

Dornier The Pirate Of Cocoa Hill Western Cape 2019, $14.10 (10679361), 14%

Long live the rosé!

Rosé is no longer perceived as a second wine, reserved for aperitifs between girls and evenings on the terrace. This color is increasingly appreciated for its complexity and versatility at the table. This can be seen in the price of rosés, the average bill for which has been on the rise for several years. Good news, this cuvée produced in Argentina by François Lurton, certified organic, is close to $15. And although its price is accessible, the wine is delicious. Based on Pinot Gris, it opens with notes of fine herbs and red fruits. The refreshing attack is prolonged in a pleasant texture with persistent fragrances. We make reservations without moderation.

François Lurton Bodega Piedra Negra Pinot Gris Mendoza, $15.10 (13964503), 13%, organic