Turn It On Again
Verdicchio & Reyneke Shiraz
This year might be quite bad. I don’t wish to be a Donnie Downer but, for instance, it’s unlikely, that getting the news in the morning will be a particularly cheerful experience. Dudettes and dudes will abide, and likely survive whatever unpleasantness is visited upon us. Let’s hope, anyway.
In between outrageous fortunes there will be the consolation of wine. While it’s true that our sorrows won’t actually be washed away from enjoying a glass of the stuff, a sip of wine is at least a sensory distraction. The distraction works even better when it’s paired with something good eat, and exponentially better when it’s shared in good company.
Let’s not forget to enjoy quiet moments while storms rage around us.
A few weeks ago my friend and former co-editor at Good Food Revolution, Jamie Drummond, told me he intended to wrap things up at the site. On December 21 he published this post making it public. What a great run GFR had, and I am very proud to have been around for 12 of the 15 years it published regularly.
I’ll miss GFR, though I absolutely understand why Jamie is ready to do something else. I am grateful to him for keeping the site and its archives up. We all need to move on, but it’s nice to look back once and a while.
Thanks, Jamie.
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WINE RECOMMENDATIONS
Velenosi Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2023
Price: $13.90 (without HST)
Channel: LCBO Vintages
Producer: Velenosi
Country: Italy
Region: Marche
Appellation: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi
Grapes: Verdicchio
Alcohol by Volume: 13%
Sugar Content: 4 grams per litre
The wine pictured above is not quite the same as the wine pictured and listed on the LCBO website. Nor is it quite the same wine listed in the advance Vintages circular wine writers get from the LCBO before the releases. It is, however, an accurate representation of the bottle of wine sitting on the table next to my laptop. Since that bottle was bought at the LCBO, and there’s no other Verdicchio in stock at Vintages presently, and it’s the 2023 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi on the Velenosi website, I’m pretty sure I have the right wine. So look for the “Villa Angela” if you seek it out.
The Velenosi Verdicchio is an unfussy, straight forward, affodable white wine. It’s crisp with green apple acidity, some peach fruit and a bit of honey lift on the finish. It’s a bit “reductive” and austere, which makes it an appropriate simple January wine. It will do, perhaps as an aperitif while making a warming dinner.
https://www.lcbo.com/en/velenosi-querciantica-verdicchio-dei-castelli-di-jesi-2019-16607
Reyneke Organic Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $21.95
Channel: LCBO Vintages
Producer: Reyneke Wines
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Appellation: Western Cape
Grapes: Shiraz (98%), Cabernet Sauvignon (2%)
Alcohol by Volume: 13.5%
Sugar Content: 2 grams per litre
Johan Reyneke has the coolest worm farm I have ever seen on his organic, bio-dynamic winery in the rolling hills of Stellenbosch. Reyneke was on track to become a professor of philosophy when he was bitten by the wine bug and decided to become one of South Africa’s most thoughtful winemakers and vine growers instead. Also one of South Africa’s more celebrated winemakers, so it’s nice to see this wine, from his entry level line, in our market.
I am suprised that the blend on this red is just 2% Cabernet Sauvignon because I got a pronounced black currant note from it. In fact, I had planned a description that marvelled on the black and blue fruit interplay between the two grape varieties, but it looks like most of the work is being done by the Shiraz (Syrah), which has also left it’s signature note of violets. This is a serious wine that’s not too serious, a bit like it’s maker, who is also known for his cheerful and easygoing nature. It wants a Sunday roast.
https://www.lcbo.com/en/reyneke-organic-shiraz-cabernet-sauvignon-2022-37534
