Wow" was the first thought that ran through my head when I tasted the first wine featured today. This Ros from France's Provence region is beautifully packaged in a distinctive bottle. This is a classic Ros and will a great accompaniment to a picnic at your favourite location. From BC, I choose a great white blend from Creston, one of BC's up and coming wine regions in the Kootenays. If this is any indication of what they can produce then bring them on. Last but not least is a summer-ready New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that will impress friends or simply enjoy alone, either way you won't be disappointed. I'm sure you will enjoy at least one of the wines I featured about these suggestions. I always enjoy customer feedback.
PROVENCE ROS
PRE ANSELME 2013 (391300)
FRANCE
$18.99
I will bet when you think of France you imagine fields of sunflowers and lavender. That's Provence --an area famous for producing dry Ros wine. Located in Southeastern France the region is framed by the lower Rhne River in one west, the Italian Alps in the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The climate in winter is very mild but has very long hot days in the summer. A Ros wine from Provence is far from the fruity sweet ones you may get from the USA or Australia. This Ros is very dry with fruity undertones which are more subtle than sweet. Try not to over chill Ros wine --think cool to the touch, and then serve right away. This Ros is a blend of Grenache and Syrah which lends to red fruits all around on a raw style finish.
BAILLIE-GROHMAN
RCOLTE BLANC 2013 (620716)
BC VQA
$17.00
In 2006, Petra Flaa and Bob Johnson jumped at the opportunity to start their own winery. They purchased a parcel of land in the Creston Valley. Rather than name the vineyard after themselves, they decided to honour the name and spirit of local pioneer William Baillie-Grohman who had a vision and dream to turn the Creston Valley into rich, fertile farmland.
In what was an area formerly known for its apples, peaches and cherries production, the Creston Valley is quickly becoming the newest region to start growing grapes and producing wines, This boutique winery has celebrated New Zealand winemaker Dean Barker spends several months each year working with them on wines like Rcolte Blanc.
Rcolte Blanc simply means 'harvest white' containing a great blend of Pinot Gris, Schenburger and Kerner. The grapes for this blend were grown locally in Creston and Keremeos. This wine is a bright straw colour with a golden hue. On the nose, floral notes mingle with melon and pear. Only 728 cases of this wine were produced in this vintage
Well-known local writer and wine columnist John Schreiner has rated some of their wines 90 points and also indicated Kootenay wines are worth discovering." Wine making really does start in the vineyard. At Baillie-Grohman careful attention is paid to the grapes to ensure they are picked at just the right time to ensure each and every glass you drink meets the same high standards.
MATUA HAWKES BAY
SAUVIGNON BLANC (309575)
NEW ZEALAND
$14.99
In the Maori language, Matua means head of family, senior one or leader. That is a very fitting name behind this great Sauvignon Blanc. Back in the mid-60s, two brothers --Ross and Bill Spence --wanted use their education in viticulture and winemaking and start their own wine producing vineyard and winery. Only one problem -- they had no money. While the risk was huge they believed from their little tin shack that one day it would all pay off -- did it ever. They planted their first grapes in 1969 and produced the first vintage in 1974. Not only were these brothers the first to plant Sauvignon Blanc grapes in West Auckland, they were the first plant these grapes in New Zealand!
Recently, Matua celebrated its 40th vintage of Sauvignon Blanc. This Sauvignon Blanc is all that and more of what a classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc should taste like. It's crisp and very refreshing with acidity balanced by the aroma of stone and tropical fruits with a mineral grassy finish. The aroma of stone fruits follows through into tropical fruits and then a sharp citrus flavours into herbaceous. On the palate, stone fruits flavours are followed by crisp citrus and grassy notes to create a lengthy finish.
