By Jade Palmer, Krog Wine Manager
It’s been a great run here as the wine manager at the Krog location, but my tenure here is coming to a close. I hope that, over the past 15 months, my newsletters have both entertained you and challenged you to drink outside the box. My knowledge and appreciation for wine has deepened since being here, and I’m more than happy to pass it all along to you.
During my time here, my personal palate has expanded greatly. I tend to default to European wines and certain regions/varieties when I’m drinking wine casually - Rias Baixas Albarino, Northern Rhone Syrah, and Chablis are a few of my go-to wines. However, during my time here, my palate has definitely shifted; I’ve discovered many more wines from places I tend to overlook. Recently, I’ve been on a personal campaign to drink more American wines (there are SO MANY reasons to do so), so I’m leaving you with a handful of my favourite American wines - ones that have left an indelible mark on me and always keep me coming back for more. You can catch these wines at the Krog location and also at our weekend wine tastings on Friday and Saturday from 3-8pm!
Carboniste “Octopus” Sparkling Albarino - $29.99
The grapes for this sparkler are sourced just outside of Sacramento, CA. Dan and Jacqueline Person are setting out to reinvent California sparkling wines, reflecting the terroir and typicity of the region. What we get from this sparkling Albarino is a wine full of gooseberry, orange blossom, and fresh peach. This wine is a great way to start a meal or celebrate good news. For me, this is a refreshing departure from the salty, peach Albarinos that I usually reach for. I always enjoy discovering my favourite varieties made in different styles.
Division L’Orange - $25.99
Orange wine is great for so many reasons - one of them being that it is incredibly food-friendly. No matter what the style - aromatic and fruit or tannic and mineral - pairing an orange wine with just about any dish is a win-win. This wine is a field blend of a bunch of different aromatic white grapes like Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. They’re also sourced from vineyards all around the Pacific Northwest. L’Orange gives notes of juicy citrus and abundant white flowers with hints of thyme and eucalyptus. Enjoy this bottle with flavourful, spice-forward dishes like chicken tikka masala or beef tibs with injera.
Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon - $42.99
Washington State wines completely captured my heart and mind when I visited back in September. The majority of the producers are small production (< 5000 cases annually) - a lot of family-owned and operated wineries. Getting to speak to them and hear their passion for their craft as well as their desires to expand into more markets *cough*Georgia*cough* made me catch their passion. Matthews is one such winery. I am not a Cab Sauv girlie at all - it’s never one of the first grapes that I reach for. However, the Matthews Cab is stunning. Layered with notes of blackcurrant, black plum, cedar, mocha, and flint, this wine always has me coming back for more. And for someone who never chooses to drink Cab Sauv first, that’s saying a lot about the quality and finesse of this wine.
Metier Red Blend - $25.99
Metier is the second label of DeLille Cellars, another incredible Washington State winery focusing on Bordeaux-style blends. The Metier labels give them more room to play with different styles and grape varieties. The end result is a lineup of fresh, approachable, and budget-friendly wines that showcase the depth of the Columbia Valley. The red blend is made up of Syrah, Cab Sauv, and Merlot, giving flavors of blueberries, blackberries, herbs, leather, and potting soil, complete with ripe, plush tannins. Throw something yummy on the grill and pair it with this banger.
