Hello Prince Albert! One of the most fascinating aspects of wine culture and the most important tool for selling wine products is the marketing found on shelves, bottles and wine labels. While you may not see many ads for wine in Saskatchewan (since our agricultural industry does not grow commercial winemaking grapes), the bottles and labels themselves have become flashier in order to draw the customer’s attention. The look of the bottle and label are important on a surface level (visual appeal) but more integral to the buying process for consumers is the actual information found on the label/bottle. With this in mind, I took a look at three affordable wine products this week.
The marketing that caught my eye this week offered two immediate benefits: for one, it was on sale (who doesn’t love a good sale) and the wine also advertised 0g (grams) of sugar on the front of the bottle. The Honest Lot brand offers a white and red wine (Sauv Blanc and Cab Sauv) which promises 0g of sugar for the very affordable price of $13 after taxes. Upon closer inspection of the label, you will notice that the wine is not technically zero sugar but may actually contain up to .49 g of sugar per ¾ cup. Those searching for low-sugar options will probably enjoy both these wines but don’t expect the fullness or fruitiness of a Cab Sauv from California or the tangy intensity of Sauv Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. Instead, think of these wines as visiting or activity wines. Sip while making a meal or visiting on the deck.
As with all wines listed or labeled as a “Product of Canada”, this wine will be an amalgamated blend of wines from around the world, packaged and bottled by a Canadian company in Canada. For this reason, the wine tastes slightly generic without any real sense of providence or geographical identity. That being said, there is certainly enough flavor and enjoyment here to justify the value price point of $13. I’d recommend giving them both a try, even if you’re not a calorie-conscious wine drinker.
Another product that piqued my interest was in the portable or small container section of the liquor store. You will recognize these products by their small sizes and packaging style (these often come in cans, tetra packs or small cups). The Copa di Vino brand is one of these wines and when I try a product like this, I usually don’t expect much. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some delicious wines in a can from this spot like the Barefoot Moscato blends, Lindeman’s Shiraz and the exceptional Benjamin Bridge Pet Nat (petulant naturel) which offered complexity and quality.
The Copa di Vino (cup of wine) is a Cab Sauv from Columbia Valley, Washington that comes in a small plastic cup shaped like a goblet or chalice. Hoping that it could be the perfect companion wine to a nice picnic, I picked one up to taste. This wine felt cheap as soon as I removed the plastic cap to reveal a foil lid. The experience didn’t get much better with the smell and taste as you can see in the technical notes down below. The nail in the coffin for me was the strange sediment at the bottom of the cup which was more like a powdery substance. I would skip this one next time. Here are my wine picks of the week!
Honest Lot Cabernet Sauvignon: (Product of Canada). Dry red, deep ruby color. The medium-plus intense nose is full of simple scents like red currants/grapes, red and dark cherries, hints of plum and the faint trace of cassis. To the taste, this medium-bodied red has a fruity, grapey flavor with red cherries and currants. Medium concentration with medium-plus tannins and medium acidity for just enough balanced zip. Some light pepper comes in after the fruity mid palate and the wine finishes with medium-length flavors of pepper spice and ripe fruits. This Cab Sauv is not complex or layered but it makes for a decent sipper while making supper or chatting with friends. 0g Sugar makes this a better option for Keto-enthusiasts or diabetics. Good! $13, 12.5% ABV
Honest Lot Sauvignon Blanc: (Product of Canada). Dry white, pale lemon color. The aromas from the glass are medium-plus in intensity with grassy, herbaceous tones, crisp garden greens and a flicker of grapefruit/citrus. Light body on the palate with medium concentration, tingly medium-plus acidity and clean, simple flavors of citrus, green/sour fruit and just a hint of bitterness (grass). Gentle mineral notes combine with the grassy, citrus peel bitterness but overall, the wine is crisp and refreshing. Quick finish with tingling acidity. While the wine is balanced, it could use more intensity, concentration and complexity. A tasty option to pair with fresh salads or grilled chicken in a Mediterranean dressing. Good! $13, 12% ABV
Copa di Vino Cabernet Sauvignon: (Columbia Valley, Washington). Dry red, deep ruby color. The nose is off from the first sniff with pleasant enough notes of prunes, plums and blackberry mixed in with synthetic engine oil, fermenting fruit (fruit rot) and balsamic reduction. After the strange start, the wine tastes fine at first (better than the nose) and medium-plus intense flavors of dark cherries, plums and blackberries provide a flavorful first sip. While the wine is simple and no off-flavors are detected at first, something seems strange with the flavors here. Medium body with medium fuzzy tannins. The medium-length finish is enjoyable with dark chocolate and bitter plum skins but then the underlying character of the wine begins to take hold with oily, rotting fruit notes lurking under the initial flavors. After 4 or 5 sips, I unfortunately could not enjoy this portable, convenient cup of wine and poured it out. Tastes better when paired with foods like roast beef, cold cuts or beef stew. Average! $9/143ml, 13.5% ABV
Cheers and thanks for reading!
