Three great bottles of wine and three screw caps, what more do you need for summer? I know there are still some questions and concerns about having screw caps. Honestly, the integrity of the wine is first class, just as if it had a cork in it.
Today I have a refreshing white blend and a smooth red blend from Australia, finishing off with an excellent Semillion blend from BC. All three are patio party ready, and would complement almost any summertime foods.
ROSEMOUNT
TRAMINER RIESLING (244301)
AUSTRALIA
$13.99
Rosemount was established in 1969 and is still pushing forward to produce wines the consumer can enjoy for any occasion. Rosemount is best known for their white wines, and their dedication to quality shows. This white definitely lives up to the standards of a fruit-forward easy drinking wine. With a sweetness of 1, this Traminer Riesling is medium-bodied, with just the right balance of sweetness and acidity. Traminer is really the Gewurztraminer varietal -- just shortened up. The label reads "rounded and zesty": the Riesling produces the roundness on this white, and the Traminer is responsible for the zesty finish. The aromas of fruit salad linger in your glass while citrus bursting with ripe tropical flavours tantalize your palate -- very easy drinking and enjoyable to the last drop. Once again, a great wine to try just on its own.
MCWILLIAM'S HANWOOD ESTATE
JACK'S BLEND (217802)
AUSTRALIA
$14.99
Yet another iconic wine producer for Australia is the McWilliam family. Back in 1877 Samuel McWilliam established his very first vineyards in New South Wales. McWilliam's venture was to make only premium vintage wines until the 1950's, when Glen McWilliam wanted to focus on producing table wines for all consumers to enjoy. For six generations now the McWilliam family is proud to still be going strong. They are very proud of their many accomplishments; one such accomplishment was back in 2009 when they were awarded 40 trophies and 889 medals in Australia at one of many wine shows. When you discover the blend of Shiraz, Merlot and Tempranillo, you evoke almost anything barbequed. The intense dark ripe fruits really burst through on the nose and palate, followed by hints of vanilla, oak and spice. This red blend has very subtle tannins on the smooth fruity finish.
BARTIER BROS.
SEMILLON (244137)
BC VQA
$22.90
Back in 2009 I was fortunate to meet winemaker Michael Bartier for then Road 13. His passion for winemaking couldn't have been more apparent, it was like he was oozing knowledge of the wine-producing world, his passion was so deep. Since then Michael has moved on from Road 13 and along with older brother Don they have started producing wines with their own name on the label. Bartier Bros. wines were launched in Penticton last August, so they are still very new. Both Don and Michael were raised in the Okanagan, growing up in Summerland. Michael has extensive knowledge from not only working for many wineries but also from his travels throughout the wine-making regions of the world. The Bartier Bros. wanted to showcase the rich history of the Okanagan both in the wines and also on the labels. They currently have a white blend called Cowboy -- depicting a Cowboy on the label commemorating the 1962 Okanagan Falls World Champion Rodeo Cowboy. The red blend called Goal also has a Goalie on the label; it signifies the Penticton World Championship hockey team from 1955. For this Semillon the runners on the label are to commemorate the 1954 Empire Stadium Miracle Mile. Now back to what's in the bottle: you really should enjoy this white wine just the way it is. This Semillon is a medium to heavy-bodied white with very little acidity and an almost oily texture on the finish. This white is available in limited quantities.
Kim Cabral, Wine & Spirit Consultant
BC Liquor Store, Pine Centre Prince George
