It's finally time we can all take a deep breath, and thank goodness we survived the December madness. I really enjoyed my holiday season making new memories with family and friends. At the same time it's nice when it's all over. With that being said and this being my first article for 2015, here we go.
Did you try any new wines with family and friends throughout the Christmas season? I know I sure did. The one I am sharing today I wish I had discovered earlier. It's never too late, but I have to admit it this warming red would have gone well with ice skating back home on Fraser Lake with my family when we celebrated our Christmas together.
There really is no place like home and making more memories with family. This is where it would have been handy to have a bottle of Mrs. Beachley's Mulled Red Wine. I admit this is the first time I have tried mulled wine and what a great surprise.
My next pick was a Pinot Gris from Gehringer Brothers that I chose to pair with my grilled seafood dinner. Then last but not least is a fun red blend from Australia called the Forbidden Red.
Mrs. Beachley's Mulled Wine
Red Blend (960609)
United States
When it comes to a mulled wine it depends on who you ask on where it originated. The word 'mull' means heated and spiced. That is exactly what mulled wine is - a red wine which is heated, and spices are added to enhance the flavour.
Typically the spices are cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and orange slices or orange zest. Other liquids that can be used are meads or ciders. It is said the Romans drank mulled wine during the second century and the Egyptians used it for medicinal purposes and added figs, mint, sage and coriander.
In the U.K. mulled wines were popular because of the poorly-stored wines they had from France. In many of the European countries the water wasn't safe to drink so to hydrate themselves they would drink mulled wine to be safe since the wines were boiled.
Canada and the U.S. are slowly embracing the whole mulled wine idea, not to the levels seen in Europe, but we are getting there. While sipping this drink I found myself thinking of the many occasions over the cold season we have that it can be enjoyed. For a little bit of an extra kick you can always add a shot of brandy or cognac and voil! Pour the amount you want in a pot and warm it up slightly. Garnish the glass with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick top and enjoy. The rich ripe red fruit flavours are all there. I also did get cinnamon and nutmeg aromas and flavours enjoyed until the last sip.
With it being on the sweeter side you could have this as an after dinner dessert or just because, either way, it won't disappoint.
Gehringer Brothers
Private Reserve Pinot Gris 2013 (347203)
BC VQA
The more time I spend trying BC VQA wines and travelling for a visit to the wineries the more I fall in love with them.
I can honestly say I have never left a winery I visited in B.C. and been disappointed. Totally the opposite - they are so welcoming and make you feel right at home. I always find myself anticipating the arrival of their new products and vintages. With so many countries and choices, I like to promote something from my own province and country.
Gehringer will always be in my memory as it was one of my stops on my five days, 19 wineries tour in 2009. After a very long, hot, steep hike we ended up coming down into the Gehringer vineyards.
To our surprise we were greeted by 17 wines to try over our luncheon. Water was first and we quickly forgot about how exhausted we were feeling and enjoyed some really good wine.
Gehringer Brothers is located in one of my favourite spots: the heart of the Golden Mile just south of the Wine Capital of Canada, Oliver. The vineyards are located high on mountain slopes of the southwest bench which ensures the vines are free from frost.
The brothers behind the operation are Walter and Gordon. They are part of a select group of B.C. owners and winemakers who are native British Columbians.
They went to Europe and studied winemaking in West Germany. Returning home from their studies, the brothers purchased land after much research and discussion with their father in 1981. The winery was then opened in 1995 and the rest is history.
They attained VQA status and have a growing list of awards for their lineup of 21 wines. The Wine Press Northwest described Gehringer as "one of the finest white wine producers anywhere on the west coast."
Gehringer Private Reserve wines are all very affordable with the most expensive being $12.99 to $14.99. This Pinot Gris is very dry, loaded with both apple and pear aromas and flavours. This crisp white is balanced nicely with just the right amount of acidity.
Urban Myth
The Forbidden Red Blend (765065)
Australia
Are any of you attending the Vancouver International Wine Festival this year? I highly recommend it if you can.
The theme this year is Australia, which has lots to offer with such diverse climates. There will be more than 935 wines to try from 170 wineries and a total of 14 countries. If you're a wine lover, or even wanting to know more, this is it.
You can get tickets for seminars, tasting and workshops on many topics associated with wine and winemaking. I am looking forward to going myself. The festival runs from Feb. 20 to March 1.
It is mandated at this wine festival that a winemaker from the winery must be in attendance and also someone from the winery will be there. You are welcome to ask any questions about all aspects of the winemaking process.
Australia really has a lot to offer when it comes to producing wines. There are currently 65 different regions planted in Australia within New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Southern Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. The first vines arrived in 1778, with much of the plantings surrounding Sydney.
This is the flattest continent in the world with three main mountain ranges that make a huge impact, especially in the New South Wales and Victoria regions. The shelter they provide protects the vines from tropical rain systems from the east coast.
There are currently 100 different varietals planted in Australia and, no surprise to me, Shiraz is the most widely planted, with more than 42,000 hectares compared to 26,000 hectares of Cabernet.
The Forbidden Red Blend I am sure is predominantly Shiraz blended with maybe Cabernet.
Either way if you like a rich red, this blend is for you.
Kim Cabral is a product consultant at the
B.C. Signature Liquor Store at Pine Centre Mall
