Aug 21 2010

BC in AB

Category: Wine tasting — winepost @ 1:12 am

 

un*wine*d is going on vacation. For a whole week.

I’m not going far – just across the invisible border that separates BC from our friendly AB neighbours. So many of their fine residents travel our way in the summer that I thought it appropriate to pop over for a look-see. That, and I’ve never been to Calgary. Sadness.

While AB isn’t quite the wine capital that we proclaim ourselves to be (and if you’ve drank a BC wine lately, you’ll have to agree that it’s damn tasty), I’m looking forward to doing a little national and international wine-purchasing…for research purposes, of course.

I recently met the engaging Claire and entertaining Tom of Wine Access at a winery dinner event, and both had retail wine store recommendations to visit while in CowTown. Among the art gallery visits and dining explorations I feel obligated to do a little wine-ing, Calgary style. And apparently that means checking out Willow Park, Metrovino and perhaps the Cellar Wine Shop.

I’ll do a little cost-comparison, see what’s on the shelves and bring home a sample – or two – if only for educational purposes. It takes a certain dedication to keep you informed, dear reader. Trust that I’m up to the task.

Meanwhile, please joine me in saying a rowdy – er, yeah, well…rowdy works – welcome some new BC wineries to The Wine Festivals family. Newly acquired into the fold are Spierhead Winery in Kelowna and Fort Berens Estate Winery in Lillooet. Stop in and say hi – show them some love.

Summer is still here, so get out and enjoy it. While you’re at it, pour yourself a glass of BC wine and un*wine*d during these beautiful August days. And nights. And mornings. Heck…just have a glass.

Cheers!

Jeannette

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May 02 2010

spring wine festival part one: staggeringly tasty

Category: Wine tasting — admin @ 8:19 pm

A monk, a quail and a rock walked into a park one day…

No, it’s not the start of one of my dad’s bad jokes – and he’s got plenty. I’m referring to a day in the park; specifically, Vintages in the Park hosted by the fine folks at the wine festivals and sponsored by BC Liquor Stores, Johnston Meier Insurance Group and Valley First Credit Union.

See? Bankers and insurance people can be fun. Just take them to a wine tasting and watch the merriment unfold.

The setting: Father Pandosy Mission in Kelowna. The suspects: twenty or so of your favourite Okanagan wineries. The food: Okanagan Street Food. My mission: taste as many of said wineries as possible while retaining my glass, swag and composure. You should know by now that I’m up for a challenge – especially if it involves wine.

people doing the wine-tasting thing

On this particular occasion I brought my fella along, not only for his delightful company but also to ensure that I wouldn’t have to spit in public again. Memories of my wine-judging-spitting experience are embarassingly fresh; I wanted to taste without doing the spit thing, so I figured I’d need a ride home. That was a very good call because there was a ridiculous amount of tasty wines.

When presented with over 20 wineries offering multiple tastings, one does wonder where one should start. My solution: start with white wines and what’s in front of you. Work your way around until you’re back where you started. Repeat with red wines. Easy.

It was a lot of wine, and I couldn’t begin to talk about every single one I tried. That, dear readers, might lead you to guess just how much I ‘tasted’ – something a lady doesn’t disclose, like age. But I’ll share with you a few of the “You have to try this!” moments, because there were several.

Quinta Ferreira makes great wines, and one of their unique white blends is a Muscat/Gewurztraminer named Mistura Branca. Lovely and aromatic, this is sitting-with-friends-in-your-backyard, nibbling-on-tapas wine. And it’s under $20. Winemaker Michael was on site for the pouring, so you’re getting the inside scoop when you chat with him. (Michael recommends chicken dishes with this wine, but I’d also give it a go by itself on a sunny day)

I stopped by to see regional sales rep AJ from Poplar Grove, and my first sample was their Pinot Gris. Delicious. Mouth-watering. Crisp, summer fruits all tumbled into a glass. Hovering just over the $20 mark, this is one of those wines that’s going to become a favourite, real quick. On our second round I tasted two reds. First was the Merlot. Hello, dolly. Blackberry meets cocoa meets cherries, all tangled up together in happy abandon. At $30 a bottle, I’d tuck one of these ones away to sleep for a bit – if I could leave it alone. Next was the Cabernet Franc. This is unique, unlike any other cab franc you’ve tasted. It’s freshly mown hay and squishingly ripe red fruit. Grab a bottle. Or two.

The folks at Quail’s Gate have two white wines that I am head-over-heels in love with. My fella and I both get silly about the Chenin Blanc. Honey and cream get cozy with tropical fruit, and I feel like I’m on vacation. Nice. But it’s got competition from the Chardonnay. You know I love an oak-y, creamy chard – and this delivers. Pick up the main street version at under $20 a bottle, or splurge on the Stuart Family Reserve at $30 – my heart (and cellar) has room for both.

I’m smitten by the Gray Monk Gamay – something about what they do with that grape just works. This time I tried their Rotberger. It’s a rosé, and it has the complexity of a red wine coupled with a lighter something else that dances around in your mouth. My fella was noshing on a plate of mushroom & duck confit, and what a nice companion that was with my pretty rosé. Delicious in a bottle for under $20.

What’s a wine tasting without a little bubble? Summerhill Pyramid Winery brought out the sparkling wine for the sunshine, and how appropriate. Summerhill produces five sparkling wines, so there’s bound to be one that will fit your taste and pocketbook. Prices range from $25 to $45 per bottle.

I couldn’t resist a stop at Painted Rock Estate Winery, where proprietor John Skinner radiated happiness. My heart skips a beat each time I take a sip of the Chardonnay, and if you’ve read my earlier posts you’ll know the Syrah makes me weak. John had the entire (available) portfolio out for tasting, so I took full advantage. Their Merlot took Best of Varietal at festival competition. Taste it, and you’ll know why.

Before I staggered – er, walked – to the gates, I needed to visit Lindsay at Tinhorn Creek. I had a sip of the Oldfield Series Merlot. As usual, I went immediately to my happy place. This baby spends a year and a half in oak, so it has some cellar life – and it’s got that smokey/peppery thing to it that seems signature of the Okanagan. Nicely done, winemaker Sandra. That’s a lady I’d like to drink with.

Music, food and wine – enjoyed outdoors in the spring sun with my fella. Seems like a pretty good way to un*wine*d.

Cheers!

Jeannette

PS: You’ve still got time to get wine-d up with the Spring Wine Festivals – click on the events tab to find out what’s happening in and around the Okanagan this week. I’ve got a few more to stagger through – er, make my way to. Perhaps you’ll join me?

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Apr 19 2010

from fun to feisty

Category: Wine tasting — admin @ 8:38 pm

 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: wine is social. And the more people you gather round the wine bottle, the better the wine gets – not to mention the more wine bottles you get to sample.

My fella and I were invited to a holiday dinner with a couple who were entertaining out-of-town family. I thought it would be our friends, her parents and her sister and brother. Turns out there was also an aunt, an uncle and the sister’s boyfriend. Hello, big family holiday dinner. Considering it’s been just my fella and I these last ten years, we needed a moment to adjust.

Enter the booze.

Wine is a great way to break the ice, and we shattered it by sharing two bottles of Okanagan goodness. Of course we did – we live in wine country: it’s bad form not to bring something to drink.

Tucked along the Naramata bench is Poplar Grove, known for great cheese and awesome wine. What it’s also getting notariety for is their other label, Monster Vineyards. Good wine at decent prices, anything Monster is easy and approachable. We opened a bottle of their white blend called ManMade, a delightful sipper that’s pretty friendly. It reminds me of that getting-to-know-you stage when you’ve just met someone and you’re learning all of those neat little bits of information. Nothing heavy or serious; just friendly and fun.

There comes a time, however, when you want to dig a bit deeper. Sure, the people you’re getting to know seem interesting and nice. But sooner or later conversation turns to a topic where sides can be taken, lines could be drawn and – if it’s a good social gathering – heated discussions might take place. It gets juicy, and way more real.

The shift from fun to feisty calls for something with a bit more bite, and the Old Vines Foch (O.V.F.) from Quails’ Gate was just the ticket. It helps make the transition from fun-and-friendly to push-the-boundaries-and-just-who-are-you-really. This is get-in-your-face-and-talk-politics wine. It’s the stuff that keeps you out of trouble while you’re spouting off because it’s that good – especially after it’s spent some time in your glass (if you have the restraint to drink it slowly, which I admit can be a tough one for me).

We chatted, drank and got to know each other a few inches deeper. Dinner was served, people ate and kids ran laps around the living room / kitchen / hallway. It was big and crazy and fun, and my fella and I were lucky enough to get a peek at it all. I’m sure our hosts knowing we’ll show up with a bottle (or two) of wine helps us to get the invite in the first place.

And despite the crazy/busy of it all, my fella and I managed to un*wine*d very well – especially after we got home to our quiet little house.

Cheers,

Jeannette

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Apr 06 2010

a new pairing: wine & guitar lessons

Category: Wine tasting — admin @ 7:18 pm

 

Like many of you, I have a lot on the go: I work full-time at a Job (the writing thing doesn’t always lend itself well to making regular mortgage payments), part-to-full time at writing (which can be done in the comfort of my pj’s with a glass of wine in hand) and juggle spending time with my fella, keeping up with hobbies and fixing a fixer-upper old house. Somewhere in there I’m also taking guitar lessons.

What does wine have to do with guitar lessons? Plenty – if you pay your guitar teacher in wine. Yes, the barter system is alive and well in the Okanagan; at least among my friends. My tutor suggested I bring over a bottle (or two) at each lesson. We could taste and play – or play, then taste. It gets tricky playing guitar and holding a wine glass.

And so, a week or two ago I headed out for my lesson with my guitar case and two bottles of white wine. Perhaps there’s a marketing opportunity here: the gig case with optional bottle holder. Entrepreneurs, call me.

After some awkward strumming (I hadn’t practised in almost three weeks), we opened a bottle. First up was the Calona Vineyards Artist Series, Sovereign Opal. Located around the Kelowna area, Calona was BC’s first winery – and yes, they had their bumps along the wine road. But that’s changed. The Sovereign Opal is all smooth, easy summer. A bit of cantaloupe and honeydew and clover, all mixed up in your glass. Don’t look for this grape anywhere else – it was developed by Agriculture Canada specifically for Calona and is a cross between marechal foch and golden muscat. Very unique.

Next, we sampled the Madeleine Angevine from Larch Hills. I’ve written about Larch Hills before – they’re located near Salmon Arm at the northern tip of the Okanagan. White wine grapes grow well there, so that’s what Larch Hills does. Mad Angie (as they call it) is a pretty little thing, and she costs less than $16 a bottle. I’d be happy to take her along with me one summer evening for a bit of beach-bonfire-guitar-playing, because she’d fit right in. Of course, after I practice the guitar a wee bit more. Until then, I’ll sip and listen.

We chatted over a glass of Mad Angie, my guitar tutor and I, planning our summer of Okanagan wine tasting. And after torturing my poor, tender fingertips on the cold, hard steel of the guitar strings, it was a great way to un*wine*d.

Cheers!

Jeannette

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Mar 30 2010

an artsy cafe & a smokey jazz club

Category: Wine tasting — admin @ 8:11 pm

 

As a disaffected youth, I spent my fair share of time in small cafés, cramped coffee shops and impromptu art spaces – the kinds of places where larger-than-life images of found objects are projected onto once whitewashed walls while an erratic drum beat plays through blown speakers. Those places. I love those places. They take all comers and everyone mingles with the same intentional, vacant stares plastered on their faces.

It’s in one of those spots that I tried my first glass of wine. And every once in a while I remember what that a) tasted like, b) felt like and c) gave me a forewarning of. It tasted terrible. It felt freeing. It made me realize that I should never waste time on wine I didn’t like.

I’m drinking wine as I write this, reliving memories of being at one of those impromptu art shows in an abandoned warehouse in Montreal, Quebec, sometime around the summer of (I think) 1994. Or maybe 1995. It’s a bit hazy. Hey, it’s Montreal. If you’re not hazy, you’re not doing Montreal right.

Located outside of Kelowna, Gray Monk is far from those artsy events in Montreal. And the 2007 Merlot I’m drinking is most definitely a good wine experience. But something about it makes me think of those times without a mortgage, without car payments. It’s youthful abandon squeezed out of grapes and poured in your glass. It’s the nights you stayed up so late that it was almost morning before you stumbled home with a smile on your face, subway tickets falling out of your pockets as you tossed your jacket on the floor before you fell into bed. This wine is easy, familiar and adventurous. And it’s under $20 a bottle. You should buy one.

Wine isn’t all about youthful abandon. Those bottles are around, and they’ll happily welcome you back. But there may come a time when you want something a bit different. Unique. Unusual and unexpected. Have I got a winery – and a wine – for you.

Welcome to the new winery on the Okanagan block: Painted Rock Estate Winery outside of Penticton. I tasted their 2007 Syrah, and fell in love. This baby is sexy, smokey jazz club. Thick, juicy steak with peppercorn and brandy-dipped, hand-rolled cigars. Something curing nearby with hickory in the pot. If the allure and mystique of a speakeasy could be bottled, this might be it – and that far from does it justice. I met my first intensely crafted wine. This wine is selected, refined and lovingly slaved over. Buy it, then stash it away to keep for yourself – and maybe someone you love. Maybe.

It’s a Tuesday, and I’ve managed to visit an abandoned warehouse in Montreal and a speakeasy somewhere unmentionable – all without leaving the comfort of my home. And all through the unsuspecting glass of Okanagan wine. What a great way to un*wine*d.

Cheers!

~ Jeannette

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