Wine Guy: Back-to-school spirit prompts some new lessons in wine

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Back to school vibes are in the air. Summer goes well into next month, the start of September and Labour Day herald the end of the season. School is in session, and it doesn’t matter how long ago you graduated, the sentiment lingers. In the spirit of new classes ahead, it’s time to go back to wine school. But let’s get back to the basics of wine appreciation.

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Domaine Beaufumé 2022 Chablis, France

($42.99 on sale until Aug. 31, #54893)

Lesson 1: Back to classic wine regions: Without a doubt, it’s fun exploring up-and-coming wine regions and tasting unconventional wine styles. But it’s also amazing to revisit the classics, which are famous for a reason). Don’t think you’re a fan of Chardonnay? Then try a bottle of Chablis. The northernmost region of Burgundy, Chablis is world-renowned for it’s lively, focused and elegant whites. The style is evident in Domaine Beaufumé’s Chablis, which has wonderful citrus and mineral notes with a smooth entry complemented by the tension of acidity before a balanced, lemony finish. And yes, it’s 100 per cent Chardonnay.

Bottom line: A-, Pair with seafood or cream-based sauces.

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Fort Berens Estate Winery 2021 Reserve Merlot, B.C.

($43.99, available through the winery)

Lesson 2: Back to properly savouring — and smelling — wine: Life gets busy. Schedules can be complicated. But at the end of the day, try to take a pause. If that pause permits pouring a glass of wine, then all the better. Remember that wine enjoyment best comes from slow sipping — and slow savouring, particularly with a wine like Fort Beren’s Reserve Merlot, which is made entirely from hand-picked grapes from the winery’s Lillooet vineyards. And yes, a big-bowled wine glass works best when swirling this robust red in order to inhale its cornucopia of fruit, mocha, and toasty aromas and its pleasantly round, lingering finish.

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Bottom line: B+, A red to savour.

Umani Ronchi 2022 Medoro Sangiovese, Italy

($11.99 on sale until Aug. 31, #113592)

Lesson 3: Time-tested food and wine pairings: Wine is meant to go with food — and vice versa. It’s great to expand our food and wine pairing horizons —sushi and Riesling, anyone? But there are also times when comfort takes priority when tried-and-true pairing partners take precedent. For example, when mid-week takeout or delivery pizza is the go-to dinner option and thank goodness the easy — not to mention time tested and tasted — wine pick is Sangiovese. Tomato sauce and Sangiovese simply sing, as is the case with the fruit forward, dusty earth and herb-inflected Medoro Sangiovese. It’s a classic pairing that takes the pain out of mid-week dinner prep.

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Bottom line: B, Easygoing everyday red.

The Swirl: Vinícola Portugal Wine Festival

A diverse lineup of Portuguese wine takes centre stage at the upcoming Vinícola Portugal tasting. Featuring 70 curated bottles sourced from across the country, from the north to south of Portugal, this year’s event takes place Sept. 21 from 2-6 p.m.at Vancouver’s Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St., Vancouver)\. Tickets are $65, with a snack bar by Arc Iberico and pop-up wine store run by Sutton Place Wine Merchants. For complete details and to purchase tickets head to vinicolaportugal.com/.

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