Now that Thanksgiving is over, I hope you took the time to enjoy a nice glass of wine with your family and friends. I know I tasted several wines that I think are worth sharing with you. The first two wines are from our very Okanagan Valley and the third is from Chile's Colchagua Valley.
If you're like me and love British Columbia's VQA wines, you need to know about the upcoming Best of BC fall wine release. This annual event takes place on Oct. 29 at 9:30 a.m. In many cases, these B.C. wines are available in limited quantities and some are only available once a year. If you are interested in learning more about these wines, please e-mail me at kim.cabral@bcliquorstores.com.
ST HUBERTUS ESTATE WINERY
DRY RIESLING 2009 (+345009)
BRITISH COLUMBIA
$15.50
Swiss born brothers Leo and Andy Gerbert along with their families produce some fabulous wines. While St Hubertus grows the Swiss grape varietal Fendant or Chasselas as it is known in the Okanagan, it also grows Riesling. Recently, the 2009 Dry Riesling received the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in B.C. wines. This dry Riesling is made in a classic German style. This dry Riesling has spent no time in oak and is crisp, clean and refreshing. The aroma of green apple, peach, grapefruit and honey burst from the glass as citrus flavours defiantly invade the palate offering some good acidity on the finish. Too bad Thanksgiving is over because this is the perfect accompaniment but hey Christmas is just around the corner. Try this Dry Riesling with a nice spicy curry dish or pair it with something simple like Sushi. This wine even has a convenient screw cap so no corkscrew is needed. At $15.50 it is a wine to enjoy now while it lasts and hope that it returns next year.
TINHORN CREEK
BC VQA CABERNET FRANC 2009 (+ 530717)
BRITSH COLUMBIA
$19.99
A few years ago, I toured 19 Okanagan wineries. I have many fond memories of this tour. Tinhorn Creek winery was one of the stops on the tour and boy were we surprised! It was the first week of June and it was 35 C! I remember hiking up the steep slopes to the winery. The heat almost did me in. Being from the north, I was struggling with the heat but it made me imagine the amount of sunshine the vines get all summer. Looking out from Tinhorn Creek, you have a great view of the fertile land that lies in the area known as the Okanagan's "Golden Mile."
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards has been owned and operated by the Shaunessy and Oldfield families since 1993. Tinhorn Creek owners Kenn and Sandra Oldfield are proud of what they have accomplished for the winery in just a short time. In addition to owning the winery with her husband Kenn, Sandra is Tinhorn Creek's winemaker. Sandra's expertise has increased the winery's production from 1000 to 35,000 cases annually. The 2008 Cabernet Franc was a hit in the past and I am sure the 2009 will not disappoint. Judging by the many customer requests I received for the previous vintage, I am glad it is back and is just as good as or better than I remember. The 2009 Cabernet Franc was aged in American oak barrels for 12 months creating a slight vanilla aroma. In your glass, this wine has a very deep purple colour followed by the aroma of blackcurrants and stewed plums. On the finish, earthy, almost leathery aromas and flavours prevail. At first, the tannins are present but they disappear quickly. Pair this Cabernet Franc with a comfort food such as Lasagne and garlic bread. Once again, another screw cap bottle and a great buy at $ 19.99
UNDURRAGA
FRENESI WILD BERRIES (+164814)
CHILE
$14.99
The Undurraga family has been producing wines for more than 120 years and are the proud owners of more than 2,000 acres. While owning this much land is unheard of in the Okanagan, it is possible in Chile's Colchagua Valley where the Undurraga winery is located. The Undurraga family were one of the first to start exporting their wines to the US in 1903. Via Undurraga has a deep commitment to upholding the highest of standards in each and every aspect of the wine making process. They believe they make their wines for everyone. They believe that no single wine is the best, the best is the one that you like the most. Which is really so true. We carry a few of the Undurraga wines and I haven't had any complaints. Frenesi is made by placing the wine in tanks to carbonate the wine along with strawberries, blackberries, tart cranberry and Chilean guava berries. This wine is a blend of the Moscato grape and other white aromatic varietals. The beautiful bottle would make for a nice hostess gift or enjoy it yourself. What more could you ask for at $14.99?
