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.
Winery: Burrowing Owl
Why drink it? Merlot sometimes gets an undeserved bad rap (thanks Sideways), but we do it very well in the Okanagan with bold, fruity versions that can cellar for a few years to soften the young tannins. This bottle begins with bountiful aromas of ripe plums and raspberries mixed with spices of star anise and clove, and an earthiness reminiscent of morel or cremini mushrooms. A dry Merlot, it is full-bodied but nicely balanced with flavours of blackberries, plums, and dark chocolate with hints of vanilla and panforte, a fancy Italian treat with dried nuts and fruits, and cocoa. A complex wine to explore.
Price: $30
Pair with: Merlot is generally easy to match with everything from meatloaf to chicken casseroles on a cold night, with some roasted beets to bring out the fruit flavours of the wine. Try baked pasta dishes, or a vegetarian lasagna with eggplant and mushrooms.
Music pairing: Night Owl, The Little River Band