To misquote ’80s poetic powerhouse Bananarama: “It’s been a cruel, cruel summer.” Unless you count the hours I’ve stood outside trying to convince my dogs to stop barking at the neighbours; this season’s uneven weather has meant that I haven’t spent much time enjoying the tranquility of my backyard.
Well, with the sun beginning to set on summer I’m going to hang out on my deck and barbecue something this weekend even if hurricane whoever decides to descend on my little piece of Canada. Of course this determination allows me another crack at offering a few more red wine recommendations to wash down grilled meat.
Having visited Chile in the spring I gained a lot of respect for the carmenère grape. Tasting like the love child of merlot and cabernet sauvignon, its ripe, bright berry fruit flavour shows accents of chocolate and deep plum that’s typified by the smoothly accessible Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo 2007 Carmenère ($12.95 – $13.97).
Miguel Torres’ 2006 Sangre de Toro ($11.95 – $14.28) is a spicy blend of garnacha and cariñena that layers earthy black fruits over silky tannins which makes it a perfect partner for a beefed-up entrée cooked over the coals.
Prices reflect the range across the country. Some products may not be available in all provinces.
– Peter Rockwell is the everyman’s wine writer, working in the liquor industry for more than 25 years and travelling the globe looking for something to fill his glass and put into words.
