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Featured Establishment
 A & W FAMILY RESTAURANT
A&W is Canada's original hamburger quick service restaurant chain, and today is one of its fastest growing.
The first A&W drive-in restaurant in Canada opened on Portage
Avenue in...
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dip•lo•mat [dípplə màt]
By Riley Krieger-Mercer
diplomat [ dípplə màt ] (plural diplomats): 1. Government representative abroad: a member or employee of a government who represents his or her country in dealings with other nations, especially by working in an embassy or consulate abroad. 2. Tactful person: somebody who is tactful and sensitive in dealings with other people.
When you speak with Dimitrios Makris, he embodies both of the above definitions. Now of course, he is no government official and he does not work in an embassy. But he does represent his country, his city, his family, and the establishment in which he works with prideful respect for heritage. The Makris family understands the need to modernize; to be innovative while at the same time, continuing traditions that date back to the 1970’s. The Makris family are life-long restaurateurs. They embody the spirit of something we all know as 'family restaurant'. Dimitrios Makris looks after the beverage program, his brother Peter does the cooking, and their father, John is the man who started it all. The Makris family are born Diplomats. Their steakhouse has been around in Regina for 31 years next month. Since 1979, the Makris family has been serving AAA Canadian Beef to their loyal patrons alongside the best wines in any of the Queen city’s cellars. When the Diplomat first opened its doors, John Makris focused his wine program on the old World, especially Bordeaux. But with time, the world has changed and so must the wine of feature. Today, Dimitrios still prominently carries his father’s torch, fueled by cognacs dating back to 1892 and the likes of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and 89 of its very best friends. But with his other hand, Dimitrios Makris has ignited a bon fire of a new world section of the wine list fueled by multiple vintages and producers of cult Napa Cab. But the best most delicious new additions to the list are top notch Australian wines in a time when perhaps it may be put out there that Australian wine is falling out of fashion. Below are a handful of amazing Australian wines available to you today from the Diplomat’s cellar to your glass. This is where the Diplomat is separated from the herd.
St. Hallet 'Faith' Shiraz 2007, Barossa AUS
Clear deep ruby core to a thin purple rim with rapid, colourful legs. The nose is clean and rich in its aromas including pepper, blueberry, cherry, licorice, anise and vanilla. The palate is dry with more than moderate acids, alcohol and body. It is very balanced and certainly an elegant style from the Barossa. Winemaker, Stuart Blackwell’s major focus is finesse. Much like Peter Lehman, Stuart has the same goal: to be remembered for exceptional winemaking 30 years from now.
Rockford 'Basket Press' Shiraz 2003, Barossa AUS
Clear, deep ruby core fading to a thin pink rim with slow, colourful viscosity. The aromas are clean and developed but are certainly indicative of a hot vintage in the Barossa which 2003 certainly was. The alcohol is a little big, but underneath it, the wine is packed with currant, pepper, leather, anise, vanilla, cherry and fig. The palate is dry although the wine has quite sweet fruit to it. The tannins are quite big and chewy and the flavours confirm the nose with an added well hung game component. The acids are moderate, but it is questionable whether these are natural acids or if they were added by the winemaker. It is most likely the second option of the two. This wine is drinking very well right now with 7 years of age, but it does need a big heavy piece of protein like perhaps a peppered t-bone.
Penfolds Grange 2004, S. AUS
2004 is the highest priced Grange ever released and maybe also the best vintage to go down in history. Although the wine needs another 20 years before it shows its deepest components, it is showing great balance and poise at this point in time. Sure enough, that is what Penfolds Chief Winemaker Peter Gago wants everyone to understand about Grange. It is not about being the biggest or the oakiest, but rather about finesse. A true example of the art of blending, this multi-regional wine is still the most iconic Australian wine ever made. Right now the aromatics include fig, plum, anise, vanilla, cassis, roasted fruit, and white pepper. Another great lamb wine!
Penfolds 'Bin 389' Cabernet/Shiraz 2006, S. AUS
Clear cherry red core to a scarlet rim. The viscosity is fast with lots of color. The nose clean and with lots of candied cherry, violets, anise and plum. The palate is dry, full bodied and with moderate plus acidity. The tannins are quite moderate and velvety for such a young vintage and the wine has great length. Another great example of the fine art of blending. It is amazing how much Shiraz can fill in the mid-palate that the Cabernet sometimes lacks on its own. Another great steak wine. Have this with a peppered bone in rib-eye.
Glaetzer 'Wallace' Grenache/Shiraz 2007, Barossa AUS
Clear but very deep scarlet fading to brick. Slow viscosity with lots of color. The nose is clean and showing lots of cherry, salami, anise, currant, mint and violet. The palate is dry, full bodied, and with firm velvety tannins. The acids balanced and quite pronounced. In terms of flavour, there is lots of cocoa powder, and plum as well as everything detected on the nose. Quite a long finish and certainly very delicious wine. This is a great wine for anyone who likes their meat cooked to medium or more.
It can be argued... in fact I am quite certain that Australian wine has fallen out of fashion in much of North America. However, as wine lovers, we must not follow the trends laid out in front of us by the general population. We must continue to support our local family businesses. There are so many wonderful Aussie reds to match a succulent, juicy steak or rack of lamb at the Diplomat that it would be an absolute shame for us to ignore. If even a part of you is uncertain, please make your way to the Diplomat Steakhouse as soon as you can. You will be very well received by the Makris family. They have devoted their lives to this fantastic heirloom Regina steakhouse for over 30 years now. Now... who would like to meet me there for a table side Caesar salad followed by a juicy rib eye with a 2004 Wynn’s 'John Riddoch' Coonawarra Cabernet?
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