Red Hot and New

The brainchild of long-time government wine buyer David Scholefield, "Red Hot and New" began as a pilot program in some twenty government stores in September 2000. "It was supposed to run for two or three months to see what would happen but we haven't looked back since the launch," he says. Scholefield's wealth of experience, in buying and tasting wine, already puts him at the top of his field in Canada, but it's the development of programs such as Red Hot and New that make him invaluable to the BCLDB wine program. Scholefield agitated for the program because he believes that one of the most significant changes in wine during the last decade is that "cheap wine is much improved." While we've all been chasing the best wines, made by the best producers, from the best regions, the world of winemaking has improved dramatically and one of its biggest benefactors is the everyday, so-called, run-of-the-mill wine. What I like about 'Red Hot and New" is that the LDB has gone out and listed some interesting new labels instead of simply giving in to the relentless lobbying of those suppliers and agents whose mediocre brands already occupy far too much shelf space. As Scholefield points out "prior to Red Hot and New, there was no context for purchasing large quantities of unknown wine. Now if the wine is considered superior for its type and the supplier meets our price point we order in quantities that make shipping a full container possible. By acting as a serious buyer and you get better prices and the savings filter down to the consumer." By the way, despite its red hot moniker the program is not just for red wines although it's the reds that have had the most impact. Just how successful has it been? According to Scholefield program results have been unbelievably gratifying. Among its biggest hits is the Farnese Sangiovese ($7.95; #512327) going from nowhere to the number one selling Italian wine with more than 10,000 cases sold. The number one Spanish listing is Castillo de Liria ($7.25; #539320) with sales of 7,700 cases and Domaine de la Bastide ($8.95; #587189) is likely to be number one from the south of France as soon as it's been around more than six months. Today we look at the latest crop of Red Hot and New labels available in selected government stores beginning with the Morettoni 2000 La Caccia from Umbria. The nose is typically Italian with dry/earthy, sweaty leathery cedar box aromas and dried-cherry fruit flavours. Very Euro in style with a skinny acidic mid-palate and tart finish. Barbecued ribs are the ticket here. Next up was Domaine du Vieux Parc 2000 l'Alouette from the Midi. Look for a lovely open spicy, floral nose with raspberry, cherry and sausage aromas. Although it's mostly merlot, I like the way it smells like a syrah and has a firm but fruity mid-palate. Think simple grilled foods. Good value. La Miloune is a 60/25/15 blend of carignan, merlot and syrah from the Languedoc. Expect black olives and gamey barnyard aromas with plenty of smoky blackberry fruit. This is quite a rich little red with earthy/licorice fruit flavours and a firm, dry finish. Anything off a barbecue would smooth out its textures. The Abbaye Saint-Hilaire 2000 Coteaux Varois is from Provence. Cassis and green bean from the cabernet dominate the nose with streaks of gamey raspberry fruit. The style is elegant. It goes in smooth but shows some dryness in the finish. Balance is fine but more fruit would be appreciated. Still a solid buy under $10. With a name like Trentacinquesimo Parallelo 2001 Primitivo Del Salento, the good news is this Italian red from Puglia has delicious spicy raspberry aromas and flavours. Peppery game mix with bright attractive fruit. It has some of that Italian dryness in the finish but it only needs a hamburger to round it out. A fun red that reminds one of a zinfandel/grenache cross. Good value here. The Navarro López 1996 Pergolas Old Vines Tempranillo hails from Valdepeñas, Spain. It's not a Red Hot a New release but its price made it worth including. Cherry spice, toasted earth and vanilla mark the nose but its spicy peppery earth tones offer less fruit than the nose might suggest. It's soft and dry and ready to drink. Weekend Wine Tasting: New Listings Wine: Morettoni 2000 La Caccia Rosso dell Umbria, Italy Price $9.95 Stock No. 612093 Score 12/20 Remarks: Leather and dried cherry fruit flavours Wine: Domaine du Vieux Parc 2000 l'Alouette Vins de Pays Hautrive, France Price $8.95 Stock No. 62441 Score 13.5/20 Remarks: Solid, inexpensive everyday red Wine: Domaine des Comte 2000 La Miloune, Vins de Pays d'Oc, France Price $9.95 Stock No. 622928 Score 13.5/20 Remarks: Great style for the price. Wine: Abbaye Saint-Hilaire 2000 Coteaux Varois, Provence, France Price $9.95 Stock No. 614339 Score 13.5/20 Remarks: Elegant stylish raspberry fruit. Wine: Trentacinquesimo Parallelo 2001 Primitivo Del Salento. Puglia, Italy Price $9.95 Stock No. 619403 Score 13/20 Remarks: A cross between zinfandel and grenache. Wine: Navarro López 1996 Pergolas Old Vines Tempranillo, Valdepeñas, Spain Price $9.95 Stock No. 619403 Score 12.5/20 Remarks: Dry peppery fruit