With a little experience in knowing what to look for, you can learn to spot serious wine places from a 20-second glance. See my latest piece on How To Spot Wine-Savvy Restaurants On The Walk-by, and Which To Avoid, for the details. Below are a few picks that you’d find on the list of restaurants that take wine seriously, that care about value, flavour and expanding the horizons of their guests.
2010 EMILIANA SIGNOS DE ORIGEN LA VINILLA CHARDONNAY/VIOGNIER/MARSANNE/ROUSSANNE Casablanca Valley, Chile, $19.95 #63909
An innovative blend from reliable organic producer Emiliana. It’s very open, floral, perfumed and inviting on the nose, with a fine mix of honeysuckle, fresh, sweet green herb, orchard fruit and a touch of spearmint provided by the component varieties. The palate is quite full, generously proportioned with long finish. A fine and intriguing, well-made blend.
Best: 2012 – 2015
Serving Temp.: 9ºC
Pairing: Marinated Octopus Salad with Orange, Lime and Red Onion
2010 ABANICO TEMPESTAD GODELLO DO Valdeorras, Spain $17.95 #276071
Godello is a hot variety, grown in the cool northwest corner of Spain in the up-and-coming Valdeorras region. It offers an arresting nose from the first sniff, with clear and present minerality and sharp green apple and blossom aromas on the nose. The palate is fullish, juicy, firm and lean but also intensely flavoured, with long, lingering finish. Terrific persistence. An insider’s choice, to be sure.
Best: 2012 – 2016
Serving Temp.: 8ºC
Pairing: Grilled calamari salad with lemon, olive oil and herbs
2010 PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH (V) WO Swartland, South Africa, $14.95 #595280
Dark, brooding, smoky and wood-driven, this has a nice mix of coffee-tinged black fruit and sweet vanilla-oak flavour. Underneath, there’s significant fruit density and weight to compensate, leading into a long finish. All in all, there’s a tremendous amount of wine here for the money.
Best: 2012 – 2016
Serving Temp.: 18ºC
Pairing: Braised Beef Ribs in Chimichurri
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John Szabo is a master sommelier and wine writer for Toronto Standard. Follow his tweets here: @johnszabo.
More recommendations by John Szabo at www.johnswines.com
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