Well, that’s not the first time I’ve bought a wine because of its label. I took an instant liking to the cute Medieval-style white billy goat emblazoned on a heraldic gold field and bought this bottle of South-African red Goats Do Roam 2005 (LCBO 718940) on the spot. It was only later when I read the annotation on the back of the bottle that I was discouraged by the hundredth corny variation on the oh-so-trite story of how naughty Ethiopian goats feasted on the ripe coffee-berries and caroused as a result (and so the wine in the bottle was made from the pick of the grapes made by inadvertent wine-maker’s goats).

But the title turns out to be a bit more subtle than this – I confess, I didn’t realize on my own but some of my books on wine revealed the international joke:

Goats Do Roam = Côte du Rhône! Get it? I didn’t. At least not at first. Some other wines of this Fairview company are more transparent, for example Goats Do Roam Goat Roti (Côte Rôtie from the Rhone Valley – see previous Saturday Wine Ruminations) or Goat Door Chardonnay (an emulation of the glorious Côte-d’Or white burgundy), so they go on exploiting their pun for all it’s worth.

So, how has a wine hyped like this turned out? At $13.15 it is a blend of several unmentioned but presumably classic Rhone valley varietals (probably Shiraz, Mourvèdre etc.), ruby-red, medium-bodied, easy on the palate, moderately fruity and a little bit spicy. A pleasant, but on the whole forgettable wine, good with light meat dishes (poultry is okay too, but not steaks) and cheese; or even drunk not too warm on its own at some reception. It lacks what any self-respecting goat should be able to deliver – a good kick! Perhaps more expensive wines of this company are more deserving - something to explore more thoroughly one of these days.

In the meanwhile I am off to the famous annual Toronto Wine & Cheese Show. I hope to find many interesting wines there, and I’m very excited about it - expect a detailed report next week!