Wines of the week | Yes, we can bring out the grill

The days are getting longer and the sun is slowly warming up. Even if the month of March is always uncertain, we give ourselves the right to dream of spring and cooking outside. For the most valiant (or for those who can’t wait any longer), here are three red wines that will go wonderfully with grilled meats on the barbecue.

Veronique Rivest
Sommelier, guest collaborator

Fine and balanced

The climatic conditions of 2020 in the southern Rhône valley gave very complete wines, less powerful than those of 2019, with more elegance, freshness and aromatic brightness. And that’s exactly the case here! The nose is all finesse, fruity and floral, with notes of blackberry, anise, garrigue, violet, and a hint of sanguine. Ripe fruit lends a caressing texture on the palate, and fresh acidity and light tannins provide tone and relief. It demonstrates surprising longevity and complexity at this price. Try it with: lamb or pork chops with herbs, grilled sausages, chicken fricassee with black olives, stuffed aubergines.

Château La Tour de Beraud Costières de Nîmes 2020, $18 (12102629), 13.5% Organic

Aging: 2 to 3 years

A great introduction to natural wine

Before crying out about the lack of availability, take note: this wine will now be a continuous product, that is to say offered most of the time. There may be a few weeks out of stock between two arrivals. And the first disappeared faster than expected. The next one is on the way: stay tuned! The nose shows a dazzling fruitiness, an impression of purity, full of small red fruits and floral notes. The palate is invigorating, full of freshness, with radiance and vitality. Light, with just enough tannins to bring a little grain and relief, it is very dry and very drinkable. Perfect for an aperitif with sausage, or bistro cuisine: tartare, steak and fries, roast chicken, croque-monsieur.

Domaine Joubert Cuvée à l’Ancienne Beaujolais 2019, $21.90 (14222712), 12.5%

Laying down: to drink

The tasty character of good Italian wines

The wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, made with the Nebbiolo grape variety, are the glory of Piedmont. But this region abounds with a multitude of other grape varieties. Dolcetto and Barbera also make excellent wines, more affordable than the two greats. This barbera offers a lot of complexity. The nose, very aromatic, opens with notes of earth and black tea. Allowed to breathe, the fruit develops with aromas of cherry, cranberry and red apple, as well as herbs and dried rose. The wine shows a lot of substance on the palate, perfectly balanced by a lively acidity and moderate, very fine tannins, which crumble on a long finish. The wine continues to evolve once opened and keeps very well overnight. Perfect for braised beef, osso buco, grilled meats, pizza.

Vietti TreVigne Barbera d’Asti 2019, $24.95 (11863282), 14%

Aging: 3 to 4 years