2008 Zweigelt – BC VQA Fraser Valley
Don’t know Zweigelt? Here’s your chance to make a terrific discovery. First of all, say it like this: Ts-WHY-gelt, hard g. Named for the German grape scientist who first came up with the cross. It’s a hardy red grape, well suited to B.C.’s vineyard conditions and coming to fabulous fruition in the Paradiso Vineyards we source it from. All Fraser Valley grown and coddled, every step of the way.
This is a wine with spirited, bright fresh fruit; lots of nice spice and you’ll certainly find hints of cherry and raspberry all the way from nose to tip of the tongue to the rich and tingly finish. Sniff some more, you might encounter something sweet-spicy, like vanilla or mocha, even chocolate.
That’s a little agreeable astringency following your first sip all the way back and down which makes the wine great company for smoked meats, tenderloin with a spicy red-wine sauce (always a good kitchen trick to use the same wine in the sauce you’re going to be serving for dinner!). Then, keep it handy for aged Cheddar or spiced Gouda cheese before you get to dessert—and if that’s something with dark chocolate—open another bottle, see how it goes.