When it’s asparagus season, you want some Savvy in the fridge.
It’s one of the few wines that actually works with the classic spring veg. The Château Argadens, a beautiful blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, is crisp and delicious. Elegant, with hints of citrus, tangerine and stone, medium body with a good long finish. 2018 Château Argadens Bordeaux Blanc (France), $25.
The Luigi Bosca DOC Luján de Cuyo Malbec is one of the first Argentine wines with a designation of origin (DOC).
Think of this as a guarantee if you will, a promise that the grapes come from a specific place and are grown and harvested in a certain way. World Malbec Day (April 17) reintroduced us to this forthright wine, with its fresh and complex aromas, silky palate, fine rolling tannins, bold and rich red fruit and a long finish. A terrific bottle for sausages, lamb or flank steak on the grill. 2018 Luigi Bosca DOC Lujan de Cuyo Malbec (Argentina), $28.
Check out these graceful spirits from MD Distillery in St Albert.
The Still One Vodka is made using a sophisticated distilling system that makes the most of the ingredients, 100 per cent Alberta wheat and water. Clean and oh so smooth with artful fruity notes, excellent chilled or in a cocktail. The Dry Gin is produced with eight botanicals in a double infusion process, perfect for a stellar G & T. MD also has a stylish tasting room with a menu designed by one of our favourite chefs, Julia Kundera. Pick-up only for now. MD Distillery Still One Vodka (Canada).
Markus Huber has solved summer wine drinking.
The Vision Grüner Veltliner is light, crisp and fresh, with peachy stone fruit and lemony lime flavours; elegant, a rich mid-palate and a long finish. The wine is wild fermented from organically grown grapes (the winery is certified bio). And it comes in a box, better for the environment. It has been rare to get this level of quality in a box, let’s hope the movement continues. Markus Huber 2019 Vision Grüner Veltliner (Austria), $66/3 litre box.
The alt gin category keeps getting better and better.
New this spring is Ceder’s Pink Rose, a delightful drop made with juniper, rose and hibiscus. The key to Cedar’s is the full mid-palate, which is usually supplied by alcohol and is often missing in other non-alcoholic drinks. Make a Ceder’s Pink and tonic, garnish with raspberries and fresh mint. Or, if you want to get fancy add a splash of rhubarb syrup. Ceder’s Pink Rose Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirit, 500ml (Sweden), $25. Find at Bon Ton Bakery, Freson’s Rabbit Hill and Fort Saskatchewan, Heart of the Home, Home & Cottages, Italian Centre North, South and West, Lift Me Up Market, Maven & Grace, Swish and Company.
Didn’t everybody start enjoying everything in a can last year?
Eau Claire’s newest canned cocktail is their first whisky-based beverage, Rupert’s Whisky Sassafras. Made with Eau Claire’s handcrafted sarsaparilla syrup, cloves and birch bark. A fun, not too sweet, slightly spicy cocktail with citrus, vanilla and subtle (and delicious) bubble gum notes. Eau Claire Rupert’s Whisky Sassafras (Canada), 4-pack, $15.