Can you believe it, fall is here and summer will soon be just a memory and that means it's that time of year for the hugely anticipated Bordeaux release at our BC Liquor Store, which is happening today. This time of year also means that the great family holiday of Thanksgiving is just around the corner. All three of the wines today can be shared at Thanksgiving or they can always be enjoyed on their own.
DEADBOLT WINEMAKER'S BLEND
CALIFORNIA RED (55509)
USA
$16.95
California red blends seem to be all the rage lately. It is becoming increasingly harder to source-out single varietal wines to be listed in the store. The new rage for California blends seems to be wines which are very fruit-forward, smooth and fun. Apothic Red, Dreaming Tree Crush and Cryptic and Stark Raving red are an example of just three of the red blends competing against each other. Deadbolt does all this and more. The label is also very attractive with its dark black background and bold silver lettering. Wine maker Philip Laffer has brought his passion of winemaking to California from Australia. Philip has worked for well-known wineries such as Lindemans and Orlando Jacobs Creek. Not only did he bring his experience of winemaking techniques, he also is using many of the same varietals he perfected in Australia. Deadbolt is a very full-bodied red with almost dark red to purple hues in your glass. The blend of this velvety smooth red is Cabrenet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Syrah. Ripe red fruit aromas followed by a mocha spice pass your nose, while luscious, rich, jammy flavours of black cherry and mocha satisfy your mouth. If you're going to have a summer send off this red blend would be the choice. I am thinking grilled steak or even slider burgers would be fun. $16.95
OOH LA LA
PINOT GRIGIO (840462)
USA
$13.99
Talk about fun in a bottle. Not only is the name catchy, the label is very striking with all its polka dots. As with the first wine Deadbolt, Ooh La La grapes are sourced from the regions they are produced in. The fact there is no specific winery, really doesn't change the quality of wine you're buying. Ooh La La wines are traditionally a little lighter and this Pinot Grigio is slightly carbonated and sealed with a bottle cap top - fun, I know!! The wine was cold fermented which allows the fruit-forward flavours you get from this white to come through. Even though Ooh La La has a sweetness of 4, there is enough acidity in the wine to help lessen the sweetness to just the perfect amount. I would consider serving this white wine for Thanksgiving either before dinner, during the meal or even after the meal. It has all the characteristics you're looking for to make your dinner just right. Ooh La La is a very crisp and refreshing white wine loaded with aromas and flavours of green apple, melon and citrus too. $13.99
DIRTY LAUNDRY
GEWURZTRAMINER WOO WOO VINES (395475)
VQA BC
$18.99
Dirty Laundry - what a name. I had to find out the story behind it, for sure. There was a Chinese entrepreneur that came to Summerland in the early 1900's with intentions of working on the railroad. When he realized the hard labour involved he thought about making a change. He then started a laundry service downtown, which is said to have housed a little more than his laundry services. The story goes that upstairs, above the laundry service, was a place where gambling took place and also held a brothel. Hence, when you enter the winery the sign says 'The Okanagan's Dirty Little Secret'. The structure itself that held the laundry service is still standing today across from the yacht club downtown. What a great way to capture a little bit of history. In the past I have had countless requests for any wine from Dirty Laundry Winery, so I am glad to be able to share this one with all of you. We were lucky enough to bring in the Woo Woo Gewurztraminer. Once I tried it, I knew why customers were asking for it. Yummy was the first thought that came to mind after the first sip. When I think of the classic characteristics of a Gewurztraminer, this one hits it dead-on in every way. The off dryness and the lychee and spice says Gewurztraminer. The slightly floral notes come through on the aroma with intense flavours of tropical fruits combined with ripe orchard peaches, apples and spice. Thanksgiving definitely came to mind while I was enjoying my first glass. This wine comes to us in limited quantities so hurry in and get one before they are all gone. $18.99
Kim Cabral is a product consultant at the B.C. Signature Liquor Store, Pine Centre. The bracketed numbers are the product codes for the B.C. liquor stores.
