The harshness of winter really hit us in December. When you think back, it’s enough to make you want to take shelter indoors with a good bottle of something. From my perspective, it makes me want to cook comforting meals and pair them with equally consoling wines, as well as to discover wines from somewhat lesser-known terroirs. Among these, the Château St-Cosme from the Rhône valley. A first consignment of the 2015 vintage certainly pleased many of us and – good news – the 2016 vintage seems to be equally good.

This domaine, in the heart of Gigondas, practices a low-yield cultivation which contributes to higher quality in the fruit harvested. The manual harvest and stainless-steel-barrel aging place the quality of the grape – Syrah – front and centre. Notes of black berries, blackcurrants, and a hint of garrigue in the soft, round tannins. A nice pairing with a rustic dish such as pot-au-feu or stew made with sage and rosemary.
Château Saint-Cosme 2016, Côte-du-Rhône, SAQ #11455342 | $19.40

To accompany a comforting chicken-based or fish-based dish in a sauce, an assemblage of roussanne and grenache blanc grapes adds its roundness and freshness to the taste experience. In the St-Chinian appellation, from the Rhône valley, the major wines produced are reds and rosés. However, there’s a small percentage of whites found here and they are well worth drinking. The Caves de Roquebrun are in this region. Cooperative “caves” located in a mythical place among the lemon and orange trees. The Aupenac estates offer an enticing nose which translates, in the mouth, into delicate tastes of jammy fruits and toasted almonds. This white is both generous and elegant.
Les Fiefs d’Aupenac 2016, St-Chinian, SAQ #10559174 | $18.55

Looking to discover our own flavours!

In recent years we have attended the launch of several artisanal distilleries throughout Québec. The passionate, talented artisans make use of the many flavourings found in the boreal forest. They have a flair for highlighting these tastes by integrating them into the manufacture of fine spirits. Having tasted and appreciated them, I now leave it to you to discover them through my future columns.

Cirka is an artisanal distillery south-west of Montreal. Its Cirka gin 375 is 100 per cent Québécois. Its amber colour comes from the maceration of Morello cherries and petals of wild roses. There are a dozen flavourings in the composition of this gin, whose taste is both floral and spicy.
Cirka gin 375, Édition limitée, SAQ #13384365 | $37.75