Jun 21 2010

wine therapy

Category: Wine tasting — winepost @ 12:11 am

My fella and I moved to BC wine country about three years ago, leaving the big city of Vancouver – and surrounding urban areas – behind. Living in wine country kicks ass. I’m minutes away from some of the best BC wine there is, and that’s a very good thing. Especially with a hammock in the yard. Wine + hammock = happy.

But, as with every great departure…something gets left behind. In this case it was a great circle of remarkable friends. And sometimes I need a little of that crazy-friend-thing that happens when a particular group of us are within twenty feet of each other. You know what I mean. Most people have those friends; if not, get them.

This past Friday I ventured out on the road, cooler (and car) stuffed with Okanagan wine to share with my gal pals. A trip to The City is reason enough to prompt a social gathering of my lovelies. Thankfully, there’s very little that a bunch of good friends drinking good wine can’t remedy.

Here are a few of the situations we tackled, and the wine that helped:

The “what-am-I-passionate-about?” debacle

While discussing the merits of finding your passion versus knowing your passion but being unable to do much about it because of a mortgage, car payment and student debt (still), we sipped the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc from Little Straw Vineyards. This ain’t your usual sauv blanc. It’s honey and clover and grapefruit, crisp and buttery at the same time. A of a mix of things, kind of like finding out – or trying to develop – what you’re passionate about. Think and, not or.

The “is-it-asking-too-much-to-meet-a-nice-guy-who-likes-that-I’m-a-smart-and-confident-lady?” challenge

As several of my lovelies are in a similar predicament, I can safely say that this is a fairly serious issue – and one which requires a bit of finesse, delicate manoeuvering and strong character. Fortunately, we had a bottle of Reserve Pinot Noir from Mission Hill, and I poured generously. Classic pinot noir (to me) is sandy beach with a basket of strawberries and a soft, lingering touch. Yeah, this little number was a perfect companion to our discussion of how to find your perfect companion – or just someone who finds it sexy that you have a thing for literature.

The “it’s-a-few-hours-in-and-things-are-getting-out-of-hand-in-a-good-way” medley

You know you’ve been there, so don’t even try to deny it – especially because it’s often the best part of the night. Hopefully, you can remember most (or at least part) of it. I’m talking about the time of night when you reach for that next glass of whatever and realize ‘I’m having so much fun!’. Our hostess has a weakness for one particular BC winery, so I thought it perfect timing to bring out the Burrowing Owl 2006 Syrah. Hello, nurse. Big, dark and rich with a whole lotta stuff goin’ on, this beauty is the take-things-up-a-notch element you’re looking for when you don’t want the night to end.

But every night must end. And as we stumbled our way home (safely, and with designated drivers) I know we each got a little something more from those few hours than a belly full of good food and wine. We were overdue for our un*wine*d session; at least, I know I was.

Cheers,

Jeannette

Tags: , , , , ,

Jun 02 2010

it’s a pinot thing

Category: Wine tasting — admin @ 8:41 pm

If you’ve drank a few wines in your time, then there’s a good chance you know what some of your favourites are – and what some of your never agains are. That’s the beauty of wine; if you don’t particularly like a wine you need not make a big deal out of it (unless you want to). You merely say something witty like “it’s not to my taste”, or “this is plonk”.

Well, maybe this-is-plonk isn’t so witty. But you catch my drift.

I’ve had a few favourites of the years, but I’m not usually one to chase a grape variety or a particular winery. That wouldn’t be fair to all the other wines I haven’t tasted yet, and I’m all about equity – fair opportunity for all to participate, and such.

One of the grapes I’ve loved and lost is the sometimes elusive, often underestimated and occasionally mistreated Pinot Noir. I’ve seen it used, abused and mass-produced. But I’ve also seen it handled gingerly, delicately and with the revere that it asks for.

Pinot Noir is (at times) a difficult child. It can be temperamental in the vineyard, frustrating in the cellar and uncertain in the bottle. No amount of cajoling, bribery or threats can coax it to where you want it. Sound familiar?

At the same time, this little grape can really surprise you – usually when you least expect it. And where I least expect it to shine is in the parched desert of the Okanagan. But we’ve got lots of good things going on around here.

Whatever else yummy there is going on at Road 13 Vineyards (and there’s plenty), there’s one delectable Jackpot Pinot Noir hanging around. Damn. The judges at the Okanagan Wine Festival agreed: they awarded it best of varietal at this year’s spring competition. (hey – why wasn’t I on that panel?)

Don’t expect a big, fruity bomb with the Road 13 Jackpot; that’s not what this grape is about. Some may argue that (fine, go ahead – I know who you are). This is a bricky, layered, cherry-and-leather little number that starts the night quiet but finishes it loud – in all the right ways. Drink it with friends – like I did – or drink it by yourself and don’t feel the least bit guilty about it.

And now for something completely different.

Look up – look waaaaay up (any Friendly Giant fans out there?). High above the valley floor is See Ya Later Ranch, and they’ve had some good stuff growing up there for a while. Back in the day they were Hawthorne Mountain, which was a mini training ground for those who are part of the who’s who in Okanagan wine making. Now it’s See Ya Later, part of the Vincor umbrella. They still grow – and make – good stuff.

One of those good stuffs is their pinot noir. This is strawberries and cherries and fruit, oh my. And all in a very good way. Not the fruit-bomb style, but in a soft, lingering style. Delightful and easy, this pinot noir is summer evening drinking with grilled salmon on the bar-b-que. That’s right. I said salmon. Preferably grilled by someone else, so make sure you invite the cooking-type friends over.

Put up the hammock, drag out the grille and invite those nearest and dearest to enjoy a glass of good BC Pinot Noir. They’re around. And I’ve only brought out two of them. There are so many more to un*wine*d with; I haven’t even started on Orofino… but that’s a whole other post.

Cheers!

Jeannette

Tags: , , , , ,