The person in charge of the wine cellar at bistro Kóz, our sommelier Michael Otaka, regularly renews his wine list, choosing what’s available and what is appropriate for a particular time of the year. In the winter, he likes to feature comforting reds, “wines that are full-bodied, high in tannins and with a strong flavour.” These types of wines are the ideal accompaniment to richer, high-fat, slow-cooked dishes—food that’s popular when the weather is cool.
The following are Michael’s suggestions for the perfect winter vintages—three red wines and one orange!—guaranteed to quench your thirst and leave you with a warm glow… These wines are all available at the Kóz bistro. Drink them as an aperitif or pair them with one of our tasty dishes.
Greece | Markou Vineyards: Echoes Agiorgitiko
“I discovered this one at the Grande dégustation de Montréal last fall,” recalls Michael. “It’s a tasty wine similar to Côtes du Rhône, made from 100% Agiorgitiko, a popular Greek grape varietal. It has a pronounced aroma of red berry with underlying green notes and goes really well with chicken.”
Fun fact: some winemakers still refer to wines made from this grape as “the blood of Hercules”. Half man and half god, Hercules (also known as Herakles) was the son of the mythical Greek god Zeus.
Lebanon | Château Kefraya: Comte de M
According to Michael Otaka, this wine is perfect with leg of lamb and other strongly-flavoured meats.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, Compte de M adds an extra zing to your taste buds! It has a powerful nose of black fruit and an elegant taste on the palate—spices and even a hint of savoury umami.
Château Kefraya’s vineyards are located in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon, where average altitudes are 1,000 metres above sea level. The combination of its lofty elevation, a rich and diverse terroir, and abundant sunshine results in flavourful grapes that produce equally flavourful wines.
Israel | Galil Mountain Winery: Alon
If you’re in the mood for eating beef, then opt for this wine. A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, it’s well-balanced and delicious.
The most prominent aromas are those of black fruit and plum, although there’s also a hint of oak and vanilla, similar to a good Bordeaux.
Lebanon | Mersel Wine: Phoenix Merwah
If you’re not a fan of red wine, Michael suggests you try this orange maceration wine.
This single-varietal wine comes by its colour quite naturally! Made from 100% Merwah, it’s soaked in the grape skins for three weeks—the process known as maceration—which is what gives it its lovely golden colour. The wine releases strong aromas of citrus, peach, apricot and honey… sunshine in a bottle!
Have you built up an appetite yet? Come and sample the food and wine pairings at the Kóz bistro, courtesy of the culinary expertise of Chef Filion and sommelier Michael Otaka! Click here to make a reservation.