Join our wine writer, Allison Markin, every week for a wine review complete with food and music pairings. Featuring Okanagan and Canadian wines, with an occasional international bottle, Castanet celebrates the bottles of our Valley and the diversity of the Canadian wine industry and influences from around the world. For current availability and pricing, consult the winery. Unless indicated, international selections are generally available at government liquor stores or private wine shops.
Wine: Arinto, 2016
Winery: Adegamae, Portugal
Why drink it? Eventually, this wine, and others, from this spectacular winery near Lisbon, will make its way to parts of Canada. For now, when you’re shopping in the Portuguese aisle of your local liquor store, give something other than port a try. Arinto is a white grape that can produce wines with lively acidity and zesty citrus notes and flavours. This one starts on the nose with light orange blossoms and the scent a surprise rain storm leaves behind on a hot summer day. Fresh minerality, and a pleasing finish of lemon and lime zest, with a bit of freshly cut grass.
Price: Likely around $20 in Canada
Pair with: Even though this particular wine will be hard to find, take a chance on a bottle of white from Portugal when you’re looking for something different, and do some experimenting with fresh seafood, shellfish, and sushi. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.
Music pairing: Take a Chance on Me by ABBA
Have a wine to suggest? Email Allison at [email protected].