Al and I were very excited to see that this year's 2011 Bordeaux release was yet another big success for us. We hope you all had a chance to get some yourself, and thank you all for coming out.
The wines I am sharing today have me pretty excited too for a few reasons. The first wine is from a place where the passion for winemaking spills over into each and every bottle. It was only last month I attended a very educational tasting workshop put on by a company and winemakers from Chile - one of the destinations on my bucket list.
The second is not only a new addition to a growing family, it is also a limited release which is hopefully around for a while.
Last but not least, a great, must-have BC wine that really supports a good cause.
All three of these wines are a must to try - you won't be disappointed.
Santa Rita Reserva
Syrah (760546)
Chile
$14.99
I just love it when I get to hear from the winemakers themselves about the way they personally produce wines and why. You can see the sparkle in their eyes and hear the passion in their voice as they speak of their vineyards and grapes, how they watch over every stage of the growing process and ensure the grapes are tended to in every way.
In a way, winemaking reminds me of raising children - how proud you are of every stage they go through, how passionate you become of their success and how proud you feel as they accomplish what they want. A winemaker is out in the field from the first bud bursts to the final process of picking the grapes at just the right time - not too soon and not too late.
Chile is a country which is very unique. It is long and narrow and contains and variety of diverse terroir and unique geography. Around 1550, the Spaniards arrived, bringing with them the Pais grape varietal, which was used for religious and dietary needs and is pretty much extinct now. It wasn't until the 1850s that French varietals were introduced. Chile is made up of three classification zones and each one has very distinct varietal characteristics. Chile also contains three soil types: the Colluvial, Alluvial and Fluvial. The Humboldt Current is also like God's gift to Chile.
Okay, now for the good stuff - the wine. This Syrah is grown in the Maipo Valley and is part of the Reserva label, whose wines are meant to display characteristics of the area with youthful fruit flavours and perfect balance. If you're looking for a bolder red, this is the one. The vintage is 2009 which gives it five years of aging already.
For the $14.99 price and 92 points out of 100 rated by Wine Spectator, why wouldn't you try it?
The floral aromas are there on the nose followed by dark berries notes and oak. The finish is very smooth and dark berry fruits linger on.
Apothic Dark (852566)
United States
$16.99
The success of the whole collection of Apothic wines belongs to winemaker Debbie Juergenson of E & J Gallo wines. These wines are her pride and joy and it shows.
Debbie started with Gallo in 1995 as an analytical technician, after which she moved on to researcher to find out the effects that the oak barrels have on the wines. She then moved onto becoming a winemaker for the Coastal team, learning how to blend wines. Next thing you know, she started blending her own wines and putting her signature style in each and every bottle. Apothic Red is a very easy-drinking red blend from California with a slightly sweeter finish.
You could say that the Apothic Dark is kind of like the older, more mature sister to the younger Apothic Red. The Dark is more complex with a finish that lasts that little bit longer with a few more characteristics and structure. Once you take out the black cork, in your glass, the deep purple exudes dark fruit aromas of blackberry, black raspberry and chocolate. Your mouth will enjoy the rich, ripe, dark fruit flavours and hints of mocha and chocolate on a silky smooth finish.
The Girls
Vivacious Ros (532671)
BC VQA
$19.99
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, what better time than now to share a great Ros for a great cause?
The Girls Vivacious Ros is the brainchild of one of my past instructors, James Cluer, whose life was personally touched by breast cancer. James is one of only 300 people in the world who holds the title of Master of Wine, and has 21 years of experience in the wine business. The best part is that along with his idea, the TIME winery in Oliver has produced a Ros wine with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This Ros was made by a top Napa winemaker in the beautiful Okanagan. What a great cause to support and you get a great bottle of wine to boot.
Here in Prince George we should be proud of the $87,000 raised in the Run for the Cure, which I know my nieces Abby and Bryony were involved with - way to go, girls.
The Girls Vivacious Ros reminds me of a classic dry Ros with that salmon orange colour in your glass. This was done using a technique where the skins are left in contact with the must (wine skins, seeds and stems) for just the right amount of time.
The aromas of strawberry and raspberry continue in your mouth with a slight sourness followed into a hint of sweetness on the finish.
Kim Cabral is a product consultant at the BC Signature Liquor Store at Pine Centre Mall
