Other Grape Types Worth Exploring

Someone asked me the other day about Malbec, the popular red from Argentina that sells for a bargain price. “Well, what is Malbec?”, they asked, “I’ve never heard of it before”. After explaining Malbec as an easy drinking red with typically red berry and spicy blackberry flavours, it occurred to me that many wine consumers never really travel away from the Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc wines because they don’t want to take a chance on purchasing a wine they may not enjoy. That’s unfortunate because there are some very good wines out there with labels and grape types you probably have never heard of before. So let’s explore a few of my favourites that are available at your local liquor and wine store.

We’ll begin of with the 2007 Finca Los Primos Malbec from Argentina. The Malbec grape originates from the Bordeaux region of France where it gradually fell into disfavour because the sometimes damp, cool fall climate did not ripen the grape successfully. It did however find the perfect growing conditions in dry, hot summer and fall of Argentina and is the now the country’s most popular red. This value wine costs less than twelve dollars and is well worth it. Polished cherry, floral, plum and blackberry fragrances glide to a smooth spicy finish. It’s soft and easy to drink a; perfect pasta or everyday dinner wine.

Bacchus is the Roman god of wine and also the name of a type of grape that grows quite well here in the cooler climate of BC. A few wineries produce Bacchus but my pick is the 2007 Bacchus from Arrowleaf Cellars in the North Kelowna region. These vines are over twenty years old so they are producing some outstanding mature fruit due to their roots digging deep into the different sub-strata of soils found in the vineyard. Clean and tangy, without oak aging the wine is a delightful mélange of apple, ripe pear and citrus essence. A well matched wine for white seafood or vegetarian dishes.

Summerhill Estate winery in the South Kelowna region has made the 2007 Ehrenfelser wine its flagship offering. This organic and pyramid aged wine is off dry and very approachable, revealing tropical mango, orange and pineapple extracts. It is advertised as a hot tub wine, but I can drink it anywhere!

Gray Monk winery nurtures a grape named Siegerrebe, a vine originally developed in Germany. It ripens very well each year in the cooler Kelowna region. The 2007 Siegerrebe is a mellow wine nicely balanced with nectarine, peach, mango and pineapple flavours. A touch of sweetness and a smooth silky finish combine to add to the overall experience. This wine drinks well with roast pork.

Another relatively unknown grape from Argentina is Macabeo. Macabeo is the most widely planted white wine grape in Argentina and a majority of the wine is consumed domestically. The 2006 Nazares Macabeo is fresh, light and dry with apple, pear and a touch of floral notes. It’s a steal at twelve dollars a bottle. Soft cheeses, seafood and light fish will work well with this wine.

There are a number of more fascinating grape varietals out there and many sell at reasonable prices. None of them rely on big advertising budgets so for most consumers they are out of the edge of mainstream purchasing decisions. So the next time you’re at the wine store don’t just grab the usual, be adventurous and try something new.