Launched initially in 2009 as a tiny “virtual” wine brand, Haywire is now based in Summerland as part of the Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, which produces organic, sustainably farmed wine. Haywire’s 2021 Pinot Gris ($22), crisply refreshing and just off-dry, offers pure fruit thanks to being fermented and aged in concrete and stainless-steel vessels. The delicious flavour profile features pear, peach, melon, and apple notes with a spritz of citrus on the long finish. This would be great with salmon, various kinds of pasta, and spicy curry dishes.
El Goru (a.k.a. “the mad hairy fella”) is a rich, spicy, full-bodied red blend from the sun-baked Jumilla region of southeastern Spain. Made by Ego Bodegas from vines with an average age of 50, this delicious mix of Monastrell, Syrah, and Petit Verdot has been aged in American oak barrels. Lush and vivid, it coats the palate with blackberry, cherry, and mocha flavours, leading to a creamy finish. Decant or aerate for maximum impact. This hirsute beauty is available at Everything Wine for $30.
Usually seen as a juicy and affordable Italian varietal, Montepulciano is at its best from the Abruzzo region on the east coast. Which brings us to Pietrame Edizione Limitata, a smooth and luscious Montepulciano blessed with generous notes of blackberry, black cherry, and cranberry. This wine was perfect with our homemade pizza (complete with rich tomato sauce) and would also be great with grilled meats and hard cheeses. Eminently quaffable, this full-bodied wine is an impressive value at $17 (and is currently on sale at LDB stores until March 4).
A family-owned winery in Sonoma, Cline is a reliable source of lush, fruit-driven wines. Their Old Vine Zinfandel, supple and bold, has beguiling aromas and flavours of black cherry, strawberry jam, and plum. Although this wine revels in the ripeness of its fruit, it is not overly sweet. Add in mellow tannins and lower acidity and this food-friendly Californian is downright gulpable. Already very well priced at $23, it is $3.50 off at LDB stores until March 4. (All prices include tax.)
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