This week at the SAQ #23

Campania and Australia have wine atoms that can sometimes surprise. After a Fiano (see issue 20), it is the turn of a McLaren Vale Greco to appear on saq.com this Thursday. We would have loved to complete the triumvirate of white grape varieties from Campania, but there is no Australian Falanghina in sight at the monopoly yet.

On ¾ of a hectare planted on its own roots in 2019 in McLaren Vale, the Leask brothers are having fun offering us a second vintage of this typical southern Italian grape variety which, due to its propensity to ripen late, is perfectly suited to the hot Australian climate. Manual harvesting, whole-bunch pressing, fermentation in stainless steel, lees aging for 30 days and finally six months in old Chardonnay barrels.

On the nose, nuts and a marked floral side, apples, pears and ginger will surprise you all the more as the palate will be fresh, textured and spicy, making you salivate and ask for a second glass! Do not be surprised to soon come across it by the glass in one of our restaurants...

• To pair it with: you will forgive us the Italian cliché with a spaghetti carbonara...
• For the anecdote: once again, Greco almost disappeared from the viticultural landscape in the mid-20th century and we likely owe its survival to Antonino Mastroberardino, who relaunched the variations in Campania,
• To visit other white wines from southern Italy: keep an eye on the Southern Italy workshop for next autumn!
• If the Greco makes you want to travel, there is only one other example (from Calabria, however) at the moment, the Siccagno 2021 by Baccellieri at $24 at the SAQ (14575331)

If you are a regular at our establishment Les Cavistes, you know that we maintain a special relationship with the AdVini group and their estates. We have had the good fortune to host various winemakers from their estate on several occasions, and we were even able to offer two trips to the Languedoc-Roussillon to two winning couples from our 10th-anniversary contest in 2012.

But beyond this special relationship, we love the wines produced by their estates and, more particularly, their personality. And at the top of the pyramid of Languedoc character is Lionel Lavail, the craftsman behind this Vermentino of place and pleasure. Always looking for grape varieties that will adapt to the changing realities of the climate and tastes, Lionel offers this Rolle of happiness and simplicity.

As expressive as the winemaker, you will have an elegant wine, but approachable on all occasions. Floral and supported by lively citrus, the palate will be creamy and mineral. It’s organic and dynamic, too! Thanks to Lionel and the SAQ for this late-summer arrival that will extend the holidays.

• To pair it with: shrimp ceviche with avocado cubes,
• For the anecdote: since 2018, it has been forbidden to use "Vermentino" on a label for wines produced outside of the two Italian appellations of Vermentino di Gallura and Vermentino di Sardegna, hence the rebirth of "Rolle" in this case...
• To better understand the wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon: keep an eye on the announcement of this theme for next autumn!
• In a blend, but with a good proportion of Rolle, you should also try the Côté Catalanes 2023, Domaine de Majas at $20 at the SAQ (13993241)

A few months ago, we introduced you to the Bairrada region and one of its very interesting wines (still available). Well, this week, we are putting the appellation in the spotlight again with a 100% Baga from the Vadio family. With this project started in 2005, Luis Paträo and his partner work on about 10 hectares using organic methods, showcasing the Baga grape variety, along with Bical and Cercial for white wines.

This red wine comes from vines in several plots, all having the same clay-limestone soils and expressing the vineyard's proximity to the Atlantic. Each plot is vinified manually and at optimal ripeness levels depending on the location. Classic vinification with little extraction and aging in used barrels for 18 months.

On the nose, fruits and spices in abundance, followed by a fresh and ample palate, supported by fine and textured tannins. This is once again a counter-intuitive wine for lovers of heavy Portuguese reds, where suppleness and finesse are the order of the day.

• To pair it with: butterflied chicken 😊,
• For the anecdote: if you are in the region on the first Saturday of May, seven quality houses (including Vadio), who call themselves "Friends of Baga," open their doors to the public for fun-filled tastings,
• To better understand Portuguese wines: keep an eye on the announcement of this theme for next autumn!
• To revisit the region and one of its very fine reds, Bairrada "Gilda" 2022, Tiago Teles, Portugal / $28 at the SAQ (13629001)