Toasting greener | Press

The offer of organic wines and local spirits has expanded at the SAQ since 2020. It is therefore easier to celebrate with bottles with a lower environmental impact. Here are five ideas to taste, for greener and more responsible Holidays.

Karyne Duplessis Piché
Special collaboration

A rare organic champagne

Less than 5% of Champagne vines are converted to organic farming. It is therefore not surprising that there is little organic champagne on the market. The Gremillet family estate is an exception with its Prestige vintage. Located in the south of the region, in the Côte des Bar, it combines Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. After three years of aging, the wine opens with aromas of citrus fruits and apples. The attack is lively, crunchy, and the bubbles are abundant. We perceive subtle notes of toast and cereal. It’s very nice ! This sparkling wine is not completely dry and we are delighted about it. Very good choice to start New Years Eve.

Champagne Gremillet Cuvée Prestige Brut, $ 60 (14760490), 12.5%, organic

Great pinot

Many Quebecers discovered it last summer: the Niagara Peninsula is located very close to us. These wines are therefore a good choice when you want to reduce carbon emissions caused by transport. In this region, Clos Jordanne quickly stood out with its high quality Pinots Noirs and Chardonnays. After a break of several years, his Grand Clos cuvée is back. And the 2019 Pinot Noir demonstrates once again the incredible potential of this terroir. A turn in the carafe is necessary for it to be able to express its complex scents that evoke herbs and flowers. We also smell the sweet spices and red berries. On the palate, the attack is robust, dense, but the elegance and finesse of the tannins are present. At this price, it is a wine for special occasions, but also a cuvée to cellar.

Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir Niagara 2019, $ 45.75 (14222886), 12.5%

Dare the wine maker

The wine maker has had a bad reputation for a long time. However, this large-format container deserves to be given a second chance. Its lightweight and recyclable packaging, partly made of cardboard, is much more ecological than the glass bottle. To these advantages is added another advantage: the price. Vinier always costs less than bottled wine. The well-known Spanish cuvée Crianza de Monasterio de Las Vinas is now sold in this 3L format. Before the visit arrives, pour some of the contents of the tin into a decanter. This step allows the aromas of stewed black fruits, liquorice and nutmeg to express themselves. In addition, the decanter helps reduce so-called free sulphites and, let’s face it, it adds chic to the table.

Monasterio de Las Vinas Carinena Crianza 2017, $ 43.50 (14731496), 13.5%

Falling into the nuts

The La Chaufferie distillery in Granby has no shortage of ideas to promote the terroir of Quebec. This company is one of the few to prepare its spirits from grain to bottle, and although these drinks are not certified, they mostly incorporate organic ingredients. What sets this distillery apart from a distance is that it bottles aromatics that are still little known. This is the case with its Quebec nut liqueur. Scented with the fruits of black walnut, the drink recalls the spicy scent of cocoa. There is also a vegetal signature that brings complexity. To add a touch of “wow” to your coffee or to add a treat to your ice cream, you have to discover it!

Distillerie La Chaufferie FMR Henri G. – Black walnut liqueur, $ 35.00 (14682840), 23%

Vines found

The Grenache vines at Finca de Pinonera were growing long before organic certification was created. Found in 1999 not far from Madrid, near the Sierre de Gredos mountain range, they are now pampered by winemaker Telmo Rodrurez. The producer favors sustainable agriculture and enhances these forgotten plots. In the glass, everything is reflected in this red of stunning purity. Its bouquet is reminiscent of raspberry, cherry and violet. Its tannins in the mouth are of great finesse and the subtly spicy notes persist for a long time. Impeccable for the price!

Pegaso Zeta Castilla y Leon 2019, $ 24.45 (14147476), 14.5%