Jan 25 2011

fair weather wines

Category: Wine tasting — winepost @ 9:51 pm

Many of my friends experience a cyclical effect with regard to wine consumption and the changing of our oh-so-Canadian seasons. Some cravings are typical, like the want of a bright white wine on a warm summer day or a big red wine on a winter evening. However, one of my pals gets all Riesling in the winter months (I know, she’s odd).

Our psyches seem programmed with expectations this time of year. I find myself wanting to open up that sleeper red from the basement, well ahead of schedule, just to have a sip. Until I have enough funds to purchase my very own enomatic machine, that won’t end well for my cellar.

In the spirit of shaking things up – as I love to do – I figured it was time for a white wine evening. In January. Yep. Why not? I like the images of summer that a pretty white wine can impart – particularly when it’s damn cold outside my window.

Last weekend, my fella and I hopped in our friend’s vintage car (1957 De Soto) and cruised with them across the border to indulge in a fabulous Mexican feast – complete with margaritas (and perhaps a tequila shooter). After making our way home, we popped open the 2009 Pinot Gris from Ex Nihilo. Celebrate that crisp acidity, tropical fruits and refreshing summer quality – we were too full to pair it with food, which would have been a bit more enjoyable. A bright summer wine, nonetheless.

I realize it’s time to celebrate some bright wines in the hopes of combating the January (and February) blahs. Besides – our fridge is full.

Allow me to introduce the January White Wine Night. Scheduled for this coming weekend (and graciously hosted by that dear Riesling-loving friend), it’s bound to bring sunshine to our winter gloom. And we – or at least I – need that.

I’ll post the wine list after taking inventory in the fridge; I’m sure I have a few more ready to consume bottles hanging about in the cellar. Meanwhile, think on what your favourite summer wine is. Then go get it. And drink it. Now. Bring a summer un*wine*d moment to your January.

Cheers!

~ Jeannette

Tags: ,

Jan 06 2011

you win some…

Category: Wine tasting — winepost @ 11:26 pm

It’s the start of a new year. That means an increase in gym memberships, a decrease in fast food sales and the eventual rebound – broken resolutions and a spike in business for said fast food joints. Like the tide, it’s fairly predictable.

One of the things I’m starting to do at the beginning of a new year is to include new things in my life – sort of a shopping hangover from Boxing Day, if you will. Considering my love of BC wine, it’s appropriate to try some I haven’t yet swilled.

My fella and I entertained some friends before our New Year’s Eve celebration of bubbles and fondue (which was fabulous with Toblerone as the chocolate contribution). Fortunately, our fridge (and cellar) is usually stocked with a variety of wines, so I rummaged through the offerings. Something not quite sweet yet not too big…ah, yes. It was time for gewürztraminer.

Pretty and delicate with a hint of spring, the ’09 Gewurztraminer from Pentage is just what the situation called for. Easy to drink on its own, it was a lovely way to glide into an evening filled with brilliant taste sensations.

…and so, we get to the unspoken in the intro.

The next newbie for my taste buds was one I shared during a podcast with the folks at Wine Country BC – I’m an occasional guest, perhaps for entertainment value as I’m not known for my extensive wine vocab. My contribution: a 2008 Pinot Gris from Thornhaven. Coincidentally, the podcast was about cork vs screw cap and this bottle was a Stelvin (brand of screw cap).

I have to admit that this particular example wasn’t to my taste. I don’t think it’s indicative of what BC (especially the Okanagan) can do with pinot gris; most are fresh and light, conjuring images of sun showers and warm summer evenings. This was what I call a wedding wine – something vague in your glass that you set down on a table and don’t worry about leaving behind. I’d like to try another vintage and varietal, or two, before passing judgement.

It’s a whole new year, and we’ve got a whole bunch of great BC wine to try. What new to you wine will you be tasting? Let us know what you un*wine*d with. After all, you don’t want me to think I’m drinking alone. I may develop a twitch, and that could make me spill my wine.

Cheers! ~ Jeannette

Tags: , , ,

Dec 06 2010

new traditions

Category: Wine tasting — winepost @ 1:24 am

When it comes to holiday gift giving, my fella and I have constructed a low-maintenance program. Our relatives live far and away, so hand written letters and long phone calls are most welcome. Many of our friends are at life-development stages involving young ones, mortgages and other costly endeavors – so we’ve agreed to visits over coffee and potluck dinners to keep costs down but still celebrate in style.

One holiday tradition that’s new in the Montgomery house involves twenty or so of our dear friends. They’re part of the graduating group from my days at Simon Fraser University. Doing the school thing as a cohort was a great way to survive part-time university studies while maintaining a full-time career – and some sanity. It also told us who the drinkers were, so we stuck together. Still do.

This weekend I connected with that group – those I’ve grown close to through the trials and tribulations of adult learning. The kind of friends that will join you in drinking cheap wine out of Dixie cups on a Saturday morning at the bottom of an escalator, after a particularly horrible statistics exam. They’re keepers.

It’s the 6th year my delightfully crazy group of SFU friends have converged on an unsuspecting restaurant in the Lower Mainland, and this time I sensed we passed a milestone. Something whispered around the edges of the night, an undercurrent to the hugging and chatting. I think it means we’re solid – and although we’re bound to encounter our share of ups and downs, this group will go the distance. The ghost of holiday-gathering future showed us that, with a little effort, we’ve got years of gatherings ahead.

What’s this got to do with BC wine? I’ll tell you. The wine of the night was Red Rooster Pinot Gris. So whenever I drink that wine I’ll think back to memories of plastic christmas cracker toys, Donna’s laugh and the feeling of being home, right in the middle of a crowded restaurant. That’s a good way to un*wine*d.

Enjoy your traditions – new and old.

Cheers!

~ Jeannette

Tags: ,

Sep 24 2010

sunshine dances and Harvest 2010

Category: Wine tasting — winepost @ 5:33 pm

Today is International Grenache Day. As it’s not a common word that’s heard around BC wine country, I’d suppose there are a few who will say “What the hell is a Grenache, and what does it do?â€

It might sound like a foreign car from the 1960’s, but it’s actually a grape. In fact, it’s the most widely planted varietal in the world. Originating in southern Spain, Grenache is also known as Garnacha and new-world professional wine-o types are coming to see that this grape is a fundamental building block in blending; something old-world wine-o types have known for years.

Visit www.grenachesymposium.com for more information on this, the international day of Grenache. You know you want to. As our BC vineyards aren’t overflowing with the dark-skinned, robust fruit, it’s up to us to seek out samples at local retailers. Go find some in the name of research. It’s all educational.

Back home in the Okanagan, our vineyard folks are starting to see the fruits of their significant labours. It’s been a not-ideal summer for grape growing, from the extended cool, wet start to our early cool, wet fall. I know several wine makers who have done sunshine dances. They shall remain nameless; but you all know who you are. We thank you.

Today, the crew at Tinhorn Creek are harvesting their Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc, grapes used in their ridiculously delicious 2Bench White. Sources tell me their Pinot Gris should make its way to the crush pad on Monday. La Stella is also harvesting their Muscat today, and Stag’s Hollow in Okanagan Falls will bring their Muscat in by early next week with their Sauvignon Blanc quick on its heels.

Some grapes ripen sooner than others, and Muscat is one of them. I hear it’s almost as hard to keep the employees at Tinhorn away from the sweet fruit as it is to keep the local bear and her cubs out of the vineyard. Apparently those bangers – the things that make loud noise in vineyards in the hopes to scare away uninvited guests – don’t have quite the same effect on people. We can use earplugs.

So while a few of our vineyards are bringing in their bounty, we’re still waiting for that intense fall frenzy that is harvest and crush for our Okanagan grape growing and wine making friends. Tanks and cellars are super clean; hoses are checked and re-checked…then checked again. Waiting.

It’s not over yet. The weather forecast says sunshine is coming our way, and our Okanagan valley is waiting with fingers, toes and hoses crossed. Well, maybe not the hoses. Hats off to each and every one of our BC wine makers and grape growers. Soon enough it will be time for them to un*wine*d with a glass of their own. Meanwhile, let’s get the party started for them.

Cheers!

~ Jeannette

Tags: , , , , , , , ,