10 wines to end the year in style

Holiday dinners are popping up on the calendar and are likely to keep you busy until the beginning of January?

You may lack imagination when it comes to menus, but to quench your thirst for good wines, Méchants Raisins still has some great recommendations in store. Here you will find something for all budgets and tastes.

Drink less. Drink better. Health !

Cantine Ermes, No Compromise Carricante 2023, Sicilian Lands

Italy 12.5% ​​– Organic | ★★1/2 | $1/2 | $15.20

Code SAQ : 15127442

Orange wine lover or simply curious, you can quench your thirst for something new inexpensively with this carricante from the Cantine Ermes cooperative. Nothing complex here, but clean flavors and a good overall balance. The tannic character and astringency attributable to the maceration of white grape skins (this is the simple definition of orange wine) are coated by a certain creaminess which makes it more accessible to the uninitiated.

Telmo Rodriguez, Al-Muvedre 2022, Alicante

Spain 13.5% – Organic | ★★★ | $1/2 | $16.75

Code SAQ : 14000511

The Monastrell (Mourvedre) grapes that make up this wine from the ubiquitous Telmo Rodriguez come from the small town of Monóvar, which overlooks the Mediterranean coast, in the province of Alicante. A Mourvèdre that is both fleshy, full of sun and oddly harmonious, vinified with talent. No woody taste, but ripe, crunchy flavors of dark fruits, punctuated with nuances of dried herbs and sweet spices. The southern red wine lover will get their money's worth.

Anne Collard Vineyard, Shi Fu Mi

Wine of France 13.5% – Organic | ★★★ | $1/2 | $17.60

Code SAQ : 15273722

The wine of Anne Collard – co-owner of Château Mourgues du Grès, in Costières de Nîmes – has enjoyed incredible success since her arrival at the SAQ. The label is inspired by the game rock-paper-scissors (or its Japanese counterpart: chifoumi), and the wine, very supple and easy to drink, evokes the same spirit of lightness. A pure and easy-drinking expression of Grenache, to which Syrah and Mourvèdre bring a little extra flesh and vigor. The ideal bottle to put on the table alongside the tourtière.

Francesco Cirelli, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2023

Italy 12% – Organic | ★★★1/2 | $$ | $21.80

Code SAQ : 13750062

Francesco Cirelli founded his estate in the early 2000s in the hills of Pescara. He has also developed, in parallel, a small trading activity, through which he buys organic grapes from two producers in the region, one of them being located in the L'Aquila sector, at the foot of the chain. of the Apennine mountains. Its 2023 Trebbiano surprises with its structure and its depth on the palate, rich in nuances of honey, bitter almond and citrus peel. A dry white wine with an assertive personality, with a saline and savory finish. Quick, take out the oysters!

Quinta do Convento 2019, Douro

Portugal 13,5 % | ★★★ | $1/2 | 18,95 $

Code SAQ : 14915682

We say it often: Douro is not just limited to port. Far from it! Dry wines are produced there, the quality and prices of which impress. Quinta do Convento was founded in the 12th century by Cistercian monks, and its wine vocation has remained. This very good red comes from a trio of grape varieties common in the region: touriga nacional, tinta roriz and touriga franca. We love its tones of plum, fig and spices. It's rich, with ripe fruit, elegant tannins and a salivating finish reminiscent of pencil lead. Digestible and elegant in addition to being offered at a reasonable price. Serve around 16 degrees.

Jean-François Mérieau, L’Arpent des Vaudons 2023, Touraine

France 13,2 % | ★★★ | $$ | 21,00 $

Code SAQ : 12564233

A very pretty Sauvignon from the Loire coming from a family farm of around 35 hectares. Vines aged 10 to 60 years old facing south-southeast, on clay-limestone soils. We can sense a Sauvignon with rounded corners which does not lack vigor. Lovely scents of lemon, orange blossom, honey and grass. On the palate, the wine shows a silky texture, energy and a fine acidity reminiscent of a good Sancerre. Good persistence in the finish. Not the most complex, but with impeccable finesse in execution which makes it one of the best sauvignons at around twenty dollars at the SAQ.

Masciarelli, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2023

Italy 13% | ★★1/2 | $1/2 | $14.90

Code SAQ : 12635097

It's undoubtedly one of the best whites under $15 at the SAQ. An authentic, modern white made from Trebbiano Abruzzese, a grape variety grown mainly in the Abruzzo region, in east-central Italy. We can classify 2023 as “thirst-quenching”; it shows a beautiful aromatic intensity, reminiscent of pear, apple and lemon, with herbaceous notes. Light, very dry, simple and thirst-quenching, with a tender texture and a pleasant liveliness. It is an ideal pairing as an aperitif or to accompany some fried foods.

Hidden Bench, Chardonnay 2021, Estate, Beamsville Bench

Canada 13.5% – Biodynamic | ★★★★ | $$$ | $33.25

Code SAQ : 12583047

Montrealer Harald Thiel oversees one of the most high-quality areas in Canada with a masterful hand. The entire vineyard has been managed biodynamically for several years now, and the attention paid to the vines is inevitably reflected in the glass. Although it comes from a somewhat complicated vintage in Niagara, the 2021 Estate Chardonnay is tasty, and its quality rises well above the regional average. An open, ample, vinous and just sufficiently structured wine, which can be enjoyed now with crusted salmon or a halibut steak.

Armand Chaperon, T’as La Pêche 2022, Graves

France 12,5 % – HVE | ★★1/2 | $1/2 | 18,50 $

Code SAQ : 15089191

First there is the very French play on words in the name of the wine: “T’as la peche”, which means “to be full of energy and enthusiasm” among our cousins ​​in France. Then, there is the name of the appellation, Graves, which our cousins ​​also use in the sense of “many”. In short, “being in bad shape” means being more than in good shape! This white made from Sauvignon and Sémillon is also ideal for fish dishes. We easily perceive the aromas of citrus and boxwood typical of Sauvignon, to which are added notes of peach, pear and almond. Quite round while retaining good liveliness, it remains very dry. High Environmental Value (HVE) certified product; a good buy for less than $20.

Gratavinum, 2 Pi R 2022, Priorat

Spain 14.5% – Organic | ★★★1/2 | $$$ | $34.75

Code SAQ : 15378962

A red dominated by Grenache and complemented by Carignan and Syrah grown organically on slate and schist subsoils, very typical of the Catalan appellation of Priorat. A good part of the wine ages for more than a year in French and Hungarian oak barrels, while around 20% is aged in demijohns. The result is a virile, rich and juicy wine showing slightly grainy tannins at the moment. Very pretty nose evoking licorice, balsamic, charcoal and toasted notes. It's smooth, long, slightly heady with a liquorice finish. You must take care to aerate it well before serving it (45-60 minutes in the carafe), knowing that the wine should give its best within three to five years.

★ Correct

★★ Bon

★★★ Very good

★★★★ Excellent

★★★★★ Exceptional

More stars than dollars: well worth the price.

As many stars as dollars: worth the price.

Fewer stars than dollars: wine is expensive.