Spring and Easter are just around the corner and many of you will be looking for a wine for to serve at a springtime holiday meal. I encourage you to read on. I am featuring three wines in this week's column. They have a couple things in common. All of them are new to the store and will pair well with Easter dinner. Whether you like white or red wine, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this warming weather.
SHOT IN THE DARK
TRAMINER RIESLING (248088)
AUSTRALIA
$13.99
New South Wales is where this great blend calls home. There are 14 regions within Southern Australia, with the most famous being Hunter Valley. Shot in the Dark Traminer Riesling is produced by Quarisa wines. After spending almost a quarter century you could winemaker John Quarisa knows a little about winemaking and has won many awards for his techniques. You may be familiar with one of his other wines we carry in the store -- Johnny Q? I can easily see myself sipping this Traminer Riesling while I read a book and enjoy the sunshine on my face. This blend of Gewrztraminer and Riesling grapes is quite lovely. You can really smell the aromas of floral notes and spice of Gewrztraminer (Traminer) balanced with the citrus and crispness of Riesling. The fruit flavours rush your palate in this off dry white, followed by sharp citrus and spice flavours. All this makes a great pairing for Easter. $13.99
HILLSIDE ESTATE
GEWRZTRAMINER (505206)
BC VQA
$18.96
Hillside Estate is located above Okanagan Lake near Penticton. It's a place where you can actually sip wine from the patio and enjoy the great view of the lake.
Like many wineries, this one also has a story. Czechoslovakian immigrants Bohumir and Vera Klockocka purchased an apricot orchard in 1979 with a dream to plant a vineyard along the hillside. By 1984, the vines were planted. Working behind the scenes, Bohumir helped changes a law so all wineries regardless of size could produce and sell their products on their premises.
By 1997, the family was ready to build their winery. Working with architect Robert Mackenzie it took two years to build. Here you will find the goddess of wine, health and longevity Amphictyonis, and the god of wine and cheer Dionysus. The rocks from the hillside were incorporated in to the wine cellar and became very instrumental in temperature regulation once the cellar was finished. Today, winemaker Kathy Malone takes pride in producing wines from the 20 acres property.
Hillside's 2012 Gewrztraminer won a gold medal at the All Canadian Wine Championships. This off dry white has many great aromas and flavours like orchard fruits, hints of citrus and a touch of honey. I can't think of anything better to serve your family and friends for Easter dinner. On the finish I did notice minerals coming through. $18.96
ROBIN RIDGE
PINOT NOIR (600932)
BC VQA
$21.85
In BC's Southern Interior and Similkameen Valley the long, hot sunny days combine with hot, dry winds coming down the valley to create perfect growing conditions for vineyards. Located in Keremeos about a 20 minute drive from Osoyoos or 30 minutes from Penticton, Robin Ridge winery is well worth a visit.
Keremeos holds some interesting titles such as "North America's smallest wine region, 600 acres with 9 wineries." For such a small region, its wineries have a long list of accolades winning 90 awards in 2012 alone. In the past, many of the vineyards produced grapes for other companies before realizing what they could be produce for themselves. The laid back lifestyle of this region really has much to offer visitors. The Similkameen Valley is also known as the "organic capital of Canada" as 42 per cent of the crops grown in the region are organic.
When Robin Ridge owners, Tim and Caroline Cottril, started their winery on a 10-acre parcel of land in 1996 it was like a dream come true.
Today, 18 years later, the Cottril's have created the perfect wine to pair with Easter dinner. You can really smell the red fruits cherry, strawberry and raspberries and perhaps a little allspice. Once in your mouth, the red fruits create ripe and juicy flavours are like a new world wine while the spice and oak comes through on the finish to give it old world flair. In English, this means this wine is a little earthy with a slightly raw finish. Once again, you can impress your family or friends with this great dry red wine.
Kim Cabral
Product Consultant
BC Signature Liquor Store
Pine Centre Mall Prince George
