Wine category: WHITE

Roche Pinot Gris B.C. 2020

I’m like many B.C. winelovers when it comes to Pinot Gris. It can be the best of times or the worst of times. Some P.G. seems to lack substance, more an afterthought rather than a wine that gets your attention. Roche is NOT that kind of gris. I loved this wine from aroma through tasting. Lots of Granny Smith apples to my nose leading to a lovely, luscious style loaded with apples and pears and a lemony finish. Good acidity too which just enhanced the experience. It’s medium bodied and the perfect match for seafood or pasta in a cream sauce. Roche is celebrating their 10th anniversary too so what better time to explore their wines. Congratulations on your 10th!

Price: $23.99 plus tax.
Available: Everything Wine in North Vancouver, South Vancouver, Langley and White Rock

Fort Berens Camels Red&White B.C.

We’d all like to be able to drink high end wine but most of us don’t have that big of a wine budget. I love it when wineries focus on creating a “house” white and red too. Fort Berens has done just that with their two Camels. Both are easy drinking blends that are very well priced.
The red offers a burst of red cherries off the hop thanks to the Pinot Noir while the two Cabs add good structure and Merlot adds a taste of blackberries. Perfect for burgers.
The white leads with Pinot Gris and smaller portions of Pinot Blanc, Gruner Veltliner and Riesling. A beautiful aroma in the glass in what is a full bodied wine. I tasted citrus from the PG but also some orange and apple. A lovely backyard sipper that’s a great companion with summer salads.

Price: Camels White $17.19 plus tax
Camels Red $18.49 plus tax
Available: Save-On-Foods wines across B.C.

Blue Grouse Estate Winery Quill White 2019 B.C.

It’s always a good day when you can find a favorite wine in your own backyard. Blue Grouse Estate Winery has twice been named winery of the year on Vancouver Island. Now you can taste for yourself and see why I’m such a big fan of what’s going on in the Cowichan Valley. The Quill White is a magical blend of Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Schonburger and Siegerrebe. There’s a delightful fragrance on this off-dry white and flavours of lemon, peaches and orange peel. In a world awash in white blends this offering from Blue Grouse really stands out for being balanced and delicious. It is a lovely sipper on its own or pair it with your favorite seafood dish. I bet you’ll be pouring a second glass…the true test of wine enjoyment.

Available: Save-On-Foods wines across B.C.
Price: $19.99 plus tax
Available: Swirl Wines in Yaletown
Price: $21.99 plus tax

Harper’s Trail Riesling 2018 B.C.

One of the best examples of B.C. winemakers pushing the envelope of excellence is the incredible array of rieslings made in our province. This Silver Mane Block riesling from Harper’s Trail is a great example. One of the few Platinum medals awarded in this year’s WineAlign National Wine Awards went to Harper’s Trail riesling. If you dismiss this varietal as “too sweet” I bet one taste will change your mind. This is a rich yet crisp style that balances the fruit with perfect acidity. There’s impressive minerality in wines from the Thompson river valley and that’s what makes this wine stand out from the crowd. I paired it with yellow curry and it became incredibly savoury. If you’re looking for a white to match holiday feasts give this riesling a try.

Price: $19.99 plus tax
Available: Save-On-Foods wines at locations across B.C. and Swirl wines in Yaletown

Singletree Siggy 2018 B.C.

The wine world is infamous for grapes that are impossible to spell let alone pronounce. It appears Singletree Winery in Abbotsford has given up trying to convince fans of the proper name of this well made wine. Opting for the nickname Siggy for the aromatic white officially known as Siegerrebe. I’m happy to default to the short form because i want to give this wine a big thumbs up. It was the first wine I tasted at Singletree’s inaugural portfolio release. It’s still my favorite. From aroma to flavour this a quintessential B.C. wine. It’s like a walk through an orchard with lush flavours of peaches and apples. A rich wine with a lovely aroma, you can enjoy it as an easy sipper or pair it with big feasts like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Already a great buy at the store, you can get it for $16.00 at the Winery and enjoy the beauty of the vineyards for free!

Price: $17.29 plus tax
Available: Save-On wines across B.C.

Gold medal winning B.C. Wines

The recently announced WineAlign National Wine Awards are further evidence of how far B.C wines have come. I shared four examples on Global B.C. Noon News that illustrate that point. The Coolshanagh Chardonnay 2016 is made from grapes grown just north of the Naramata Bench. Crafted by winemaker Matt Dumayne at Okanagan Crush Pad this is a wine I loved from first sip. A creamy flavour of apples and pears with great acidity, this is an Okanagan chard that can stand up to the world’s best. Available at coolshanagh.ca.
Rose is a massively popular wine category and Blue Grouse Estate Winery is fully deserving of the gold medal for their Quill Rose. Winemaker Bailey Williamson relies on Gamay grapes for his pink and the result is a knockout! Bone dry, juicy and fresh with a beautiful tartness and bracing acidity this Rose is the perfect partner for your favorite seafood. Blue Grouse is located in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island and the winery offers a warm welcome in their gorgeous tasting room. You can find Blue Grouse at Marquis Wine Cellars and Firefly Wines.
Singeltree Winery Pinot Noir offers more proof that B.C. is a great place to find a wide range of styles of Pinot. Located in the Fraser Valley, daytrippers from Vancouver take note, Singletree delivers a terrific wine for the price. This is a dark, intense Pinot with a lovely toasted finish that reflects eleven months aging in oak. At $22.00 this may be the best buy Pinot you’ll find for the price so jump in the car with your best #winelover and head to Singletree.
Time Winery Meritage 2016 is a wonderful wine to celebrate the late Harry McWatters. One of the true pioneers in B.C. wine, Harry played a leading role in bringing this style of red to our province. His final vintage is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Decant this beauty and take in the beautiful aroma of cherries and herbs. A deep and delicious red, loaded with rich flavour but soft on the palate and pairs beautifully with steak. Available at Save-On-Foods Wines across B.C.

Quails’ Gate Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris B.C. 2018

When it comes to a B.C. winery with an established pedigree it’s difficult to find one more impressive than Quails’ Gate. With decades of wine making behind them you simply learn to trust what’s in the bottle. There’s no better example or introduction to what they do best than the very popular white blend of Chasselas, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. I’ve recommended this wine to friends and family for years. Have a glass and you’ll taste why I’m so bullish about this well priced gem. Dry and crispy with flavours of apple, pear and a touch of citrus. Incredibly food friendly and the perfect wine when hosting a house full of thirsty guests.

Price: $17.99 plus tax
Available: B.C. Liquor stores
Price: $21.25 plus tax
Available: Firefly Fine Wines in Cambie Village and Maple Ridge

Santa Carolina Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir Cabernet Sauvignon Chile 2017

When you’re having a big party and you’re on a budget you shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality. This trio of Santa Carolina Reserva wines more than delivers the goods and they’re on sale until the end of December. The Pinot Noir is medium bodied with loads of cherries and very food friendly. The Sauvignon Blanc is a crispy, fruit forward style with a touch of lemon. The Cabernet Sauvignon is remarkably deep for such a young wine with loads of black fruit and a hint of spice. Don’t miss this triple threat of tasty wines at a bargain price.

Price: $11.49-$12.49 (plus tax)
Available: B.C. liquor stores

Evolve Pinot Gris B.C. 2017

From its first vintage I’ve been an unabashed fan of Evolve wines. I’d be hardpressed to think of another B.C. winery that has a better price to quality ratio than Evolve. Nobody should be surprised considering its DNA can be traced back to Harry McWatters. This Pinot Gris is another example of how Evolve delivers the goods. The nose is an Okanagan orchard in summer with aromas of apples, peaches and nectarines. For Gris fans you’ll enjoy a crisp, fresh wine with a good balance of citrus and mild acidity. This is the perfect holiday party sipper because it’s a good match for most any appy. As you’d expect from Pinot Gris the lemon cries out for seafood too. Well done Evolve, again!

Price: $18.49 (plus tax)
Available: Everything Wine in North Vancouver, South Vancouver, South Surrey and Langley
Price: $18.59 (plus tax)
Available: Save-On Wines at Pemberton Plaza on Marine Drive in North Vancouver
Price $18.99 (plus tax)
Available: Village VQA wines in Kitsilano

Lot 185-Cafe and Wine Bar

When you’re a #winelover like me, the arrival of a new place to enjoy your favourite libation is a reason to celebrate. Lot 185 offers a cafe to start your day and a wine bar to wind down after work. It’s two levels on the west side of the Vancouver Convention Center beside Jack Poole Plaza. If you’ve been to the Vancouver International Wine Festival you’ll recognize the 2nd level as the former coat check location. It’s a bright and airy space that will offer patio seating next summer. For now you can enjoy breakfast sandwiches or pastries from the in-house bakery. Later in the day the 2nd level Wine Bar will offer a great place to drop in for a glass or two accompanied by interesting small bites. Check out my social media feeds for plenty of pictures. Pizza, duck confit sliders and and freshly shucked Kusshi oysters are just some of the choices. The wine list includes Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir, Quails’ Gate Dry Riesling and Culmina R&D Rose to name a few. You’ll also find wines from France, Spain, Italy and New Zealand so something for every palate. I’m told they hope to work with smaller B.C. wineries in the future. For example I’d welcome seeing Lock & Worth, Blue Grouse and Rust wines to help grow our exposure to newer and smaller wineries in our province. For now though I’m happy to see our city’s wine culture grow with Lot 185 Cafe and Wine Bar.

Location: Vancouver Convention Center with access from Jack Poole Plaza