SPEC Edition #1: Week of July 31, 2023

         The final week of each month will focus on what are known as SPEC products. That is, these are wines that are not available at BCL stores, but are only acquired in private liquor stores. Each SPEC review, I will give the place and price that I purchased said bottles, but when it comes to tracking them down, that is up to you. I bought both of these bottles at Everything Wine in Langford, so if you're not around that area, happy hunting!

2020 Jim Fonseca Twin Vines 

$15.99

Vinho Verde, Portugal

    Here’s something for all you that need some sweetness in your life. This refreshing little number, paired with its low alcohol level of only 10% provides an excellent pairing for some spicy food, but is also good to have on its own (very chilled) if you’re into some sweetness. 

    The Vinho Verde region of Portugal produces some of the world’s best-value, quaffable wines, often with some effervescence due to the traditional in-bottle malolactic fermentation (although, these days the wine is usually just sparged with carbon dioxide instead of completing a secondary ferment in bottle.) This Twin Vines bottle, however, does not provide the spritz, but focuses on the sweet.

    The aromas are super aromatic, centering on stone fruit like peach, apricot, and juicy nectarine, which are all backed up by a choir of lemon zest and ripe pineapple. The palate focuses on the middle of the tongue, but there is some bright acidity that is focused on the side of the tongue, providing a balanced feel. Definitely a good-value Vinho Verde; wines worth exploring.

    Food pairing: Thai green curry, jalapeno poppers, oysters with wasabi and soy, spicy lentil soup

Real de Aragón Garnacha 2017

$19.99

Calatayud, Spain

    Garnacha (also commonly known as Grenache) is one of the most widely-planted red grapes in Europe, and definitely one of the most common in Spain. Given that Spain consists of the most-planted acreage in the world, there is a lot of this stuff kicking around. You'll find it in blends from around the country, and plenty of single varietal wines, like this label from Real de Aragón.

    It's a big wine, deep and rich in colour and flavour. It's complex yet easy to drink, and pairs nicely with an array of dishes. It's not really a sit-back-and-sip type of wine, unless your palate is used to big players. Mine is not, so I drank it with pizza.

    Give this wine some time to breathe. Once opened, it started out with some gamey notes, and the flavour is tight and astringent. I didn't decant this bottle, but it took me two days to drink it, and there was a noticeable improvement on day two: the game and astringency turned into fruit and subtle tannin. You find black pepper, cranberry, licorice, black cherries and various spicey notes, and in the mouth there is a vibrant subtlety that is definitely worth experiencing. 

Food pairing; grilled steak, tomato-based pasta, goat cheese.