When the mighty Jancis Robinson wrote about her first visit to the Okanagan in 2009, she praised the southern portion of the valley for its natural beauty and slagged its largest city all in the same breath.

If it's sweeping views you seek, look no further than Kelowna. Photo courtesy of Tourism Kelowna

Robinson was apparently able to see through the smoke-choked haze of area forest fires raging at the time and recognize the south’s countryside for what it is – “stunning.” Her line – “A ribbon of lakes with sandy beaches threaded between slopes of ponderosa pines, granite cliffs and vine-covered benchland” – could have been plucked from any tourism brochure.

But a few graphs into her article, she bashedKelowna- characterizing it as a strip-mall town. “My colleague Hugh Johnson apparently warned a B.C. wine PR person, ‘don’t take people there.’”

Ouch.

First of all, it’s not entirely clear if Robinson was even inKelowna. Her trip was an impromptu 24-hour tour she was convinced to take while in the Northwest on private holiday. She spent the bulk of her time being wined and dined in Naramata and Oliver and flew in and out of Penticton. If she came any further north, it was a drive through, at best.

In Robinson’s defence, the Highway 97 corridor that cuts through Kelowna like a stake through the heart is not the city’s best feature. Unfortunately, it’s what most visitors see first, and if they don’t venture off the beaten path, it will leave a lasting and unsavoury impression.

But Kelowna has it has a lot more going for it than big box stores, gas stations and fast food joints – namely wine, which Robinson was apparently too pressed for time to check out.

There are 20-plus wineries within a 10-30 minute drive of downtown, many located in the very settings that endeared Robinson to the south – with nary a strip mall in sight. Along Lakeshore Road, for example, there are four wineries with sweeping water views, long rolling stretches of vineyard and some of the longest hours of daily sunshine anywhere in the Valley.

Yet, the proprietors of these and other K-town establishments weren’t branded as a destination wine route like other Okanagan wine hotspots. The Naramata Bench and Golden Mile of Oliver are practically household names when it comes to wine tours, thanks to clever and careful marketing goals over the past decade aimed at drawing visitors to their doors. More recently, Summerland wineries began packaging themselves as members of the “Bottle Neck Drive,” while those in Okanagan Falls jumped on the bandwagon a couple years ago with a branding strategy known as the “Corkscrew Drive.”

City area wineries are finally following suit. Together with Tourism Kelowna, they’ve come up with a marketing plan that starts first with a sharp, glossy brochure complete with maps pinpointing the 20 participating wineries in Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country.

Actually, it’s more than a brochure – at 18 pages, it’s a pocket guide, really. There’s a photo and a short write-up on each winery that provides some background, but it’s meant only to be a taste. It encourages people to visit by enticing them with a snippet of information unique to each winery, ending with the question, “What’s the story?”

For example, the teaser for Ex Nihilo in Lake Country, reads as follows: “Ex Nihilo Rocks. In 2008, Jeff and Decoa (Harder) landed a partnership with rock royalty the Rolling Stones. What’s the story?” This alludes to the fact that the winery has a wine called Sympathy for the Devil that is actually endorsed by one of the world’s top rock bands – the story you might ask, is how that came to be?

My choice feature of the guide is the “Favourite Sips” section included in each winery profile which identifies the personal wine picks of the proprietors. For example, Vibrant Vines proprietor Tony Lewis’ selection is the winery’s Riesling, which he recommends you sip while listening to 70s crooner Cat Stevens. That’s a hint to his love of music and each wine released comes with a recommended music pairing.

Each of these tidbits puts a more human and user-friendly face on wine, that is often surrounded by an elitist mystic. It reaches out to consumers more effectively than a tedious description of pastoral splendour ever could. It certainly helps the latecomers to the branding game stand out from the rest.

The Kelowna plan doesn’t end with the brochure. There’s an app in the works that speaks to the new era of marketing. And the media relations and marketing departments of Tourism Kelowna have compiled story ideas to pitch to wine writers that identify five “wine trail” daytrip options for visiting enthusiasts.

“It will be so exciting to see people discover the area’s wineries in this organized way this year,” says Catherine Frechette, Tourism Kelowna’s media relations manager. “The Kelowna area has always been historically significant to the B.C. wine industry, and to the Okanagan in general, as its wineries were among the first to be established and it’s widely recognized as the birthplace of B.C. Wine.”

Indeed, Oblate missionary Father Charles Pandosy planted the first vineyard for religious and personal use at the Oblate Mission in Kelowna back in 1859. And the city is home to B.C.’s oldest commercial winery – Calona Vineyards, established in 1932.

The brochure will be available at wineries and tourism visitor information centres in time for the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival, which starts April 29. Contact Tourism Kelowna at 250-861-1515 or via email at info@tourismkelowna.com, or visit the website at http://www.tourismkelowna.com/.

Wine and food enthusiasts apparently love to Tweet!

By Julianna Hayes
Grape Expectations
When I first started writing about wine, I would sift through trade magazines and books hunting for topics.

It wasn’t long before the Internet became my main research vehicle, of course. I visited the same trade publications in their digital form and I started navigating my way around the web using the search engines Excite! Infoseek and Altavista – before the Google giant took over. As a result, I found many like-minded writers worldwide who were an endless sources information and ideas.

Eventually, I added online discussion forums and blogs to my bookmarks and created a blog of my own, on which I pleaded for comments and story suggestions.

Now, it seems, Twitter has evolved as my go-to source.

I’ve had a Twitter account since late 2008, however, it took some time to figure out why and how I should use it. Initially, I intended only to follow and be followed by friends. But since I was already using Facebook for that purpose, it turned out to be overkill and a whopping time waster. I mean, how much small talk can you possibly make with an old chum from high school? The tweets were eventually reduced to weather updates and lame jokes.

It wasn’t until a couple of wine industry folks randomly opted to follow me that Twitter’s true worth became clear. As more people added me to their list of Twitter “friends,” I cherry-picked the ones I personally wanted to follow, based on what kind of information their tweets might provide and if there were some use for communicating with them.

Now that I’ve built up a robust roster of followers and followees, Twitter is a bonafide communications tool I wouldn’t want to live without. Anytime I’m on my computer I keep TweetDeck running in the background. I don’t always have the time or inclination to tweet myself, but those of the people I follow flash briefly on my scene. I make a note of anything that peaks my interest and I have a sizable list of story ideas generated entirely this way. Who knew I could be such a twit..er..twitterer?

What’s more, Twitter keeps me informed of developments in the industry. Last fall, I got the whole scoop on the 2010 harvest via tweet. I’ve conducted interviews by way of the direct message option, used Twitter to brainstorm, participate in “virtual” tastings, and post updates on my blog.

However, Twitter and the realm of social media are often scoffed at by many old school industry folk and dismissed as “kids play.” Yet continued resistance equals missed opportunity at real-time, two-way communication with those who matter to their business.

In fact, some of the most active communities on social media revolve around food and wine, according Allison M. Markin of All She Wrote Consulting, which specializes in this form of marketing in the Okanagan.

To that end, her firm has organized Eat. Drink. Tweet., a social media “bootcamp” for the wine and culinary industries this weekend at Okanagan College in Penticton.

The three-day conference will help participants recognize social media as a must-do marketing tool to reach wine lovers, foodies and culinary aficionados around the world. The keynote speeches, seminars and presentations will cover the basics of using such platforms as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Linkedin and Foresquare, but also get into more advanced strategies such as how to build a blog on WordPress and putting ads and pages on Facebook.

Among the highlights of the bootcamp are:

• A live Twitter wine and food tasting presented by the Naramata Bench Wineries Association and Okanagan chef Roger Planiden.
• Keynote address by Rick Bakas of Bakas Media, the first person hired into the wine industry as a director of social media marketing at St. Supéry winery in Napa – this is his first visit to Okanagan wine country.
• “IRL” – In Real Life – a panel discussion on in real life successes using social media in the Okanagan, featuring: Ezra Cipes, Chief Operations Officer, Summerhill Pyramid Winery; Bradley Cooper, Winemaker, Township 7 and Black Cloud Wine; Christina Ferreira, Okanagan Wine Festivals Society; Christa-Lee McWatters Bond, Local Lounge and Grille; Sandra Oldfield, Winemaker, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards.

The cost of the conference is $252 and participants can register at through the Okanagan College continuing studies department. Visit http://allshewrote.ca for more details.

***

If a wine social media bootcamp isn’t your thing, but drinking wine is, there are still tickets available for the 8th Annual International Wine Exhibition, Friday, March 11, at Kelowna’s Coast Capri Hotel. More than 250 wines from 50-plus worldwide producers will be pouring their wares throughout the evening. The event is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Kelowna and the Sunrise Rotary Club. Tickets are $55 and available at The Coast Capri Hotel front desk, Caps Liquor Store and Discover Wines.

Wine Notes

Township 7 2009 Viognier
Peach, apricot, orange peel and floral bouquet with honey and candied ginger notes. Lots of zesty citrus, light ginger and apricot flavours. Fresh and bright.
Cellaring Potential: Drink now.
Score: B+
Price: $20
Availability: Winery, VQA shops, select retailers

Sandhill 2008 Cabernet Merlot Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2008
Herbaceous and savoury with earthy, soya, coffee and chocolate in the forefront laced with black cherry and plum. Black fruit, menthol, herbal, peppery flavours and a slightly hot finish. You’ll either love it or hate it.
Cellaring Potential: Has some bite that could benefit from time
Score: B
Price: $22
Availability: BC LDBs, VQA shops, select retailers

A few years ago while stemware shopping, I was checking out the selection at a local department store when I spotted a particularly impressive glass.

Perched on an elongated stem, the expanse of crystal from the base of the wide bowl to its tapered opening glinted and sparkled in the light. It was a thing of beauty, but with one caveat. This thing was mighty enough to hold more than a third of a bottle of wine, dispensing with any need for a decanter at your table.

I held one up to inspect it and, though visually stunning, it was cumbersome, top heavy and downright ridiculous. I remember thinking that if this was the answer to stemware for present day imbibers, why don’t they just drink out of a pitcher and be done with it.

Since then I have noticed a curious trend toward elephantine drinking glasses – vessels more suited to housing fish than wine. While I get that people like them for esthetic reasons, many of these glasses are awkward to store, don’t fit properly in the dishwasher and tend to tumble over and break.

If that isn’t deterrent enough to avoid them, then consider the findings of a recent North American study: Large wine glasses, it seems, are driving us to drink.

Just as supersizing your fries leads you to ingest more thigh-widening fat than you may have intended, supersizing your stemware can spur you to inadvertently drink more, according to the U.S. Department of Health. This is especially true of young imbibers, whom the study found are less likely to pay close attention to their consumption.

Until a few years ago the standard measure of wine in a pub or restaurant was the 125 ml glass, but now many people use 175 ml to 250 ml glasses.

I have noticed that some local establishments will carefully measure out the wine before serving it. They do this mostly for financial reasons, as they can ill afford to fill these glasses for the same price. But there are others who still free pour and sometimes you get far more than you might have bargained for. And now with the stricter drinking and driving laws, it’s critically important for servers and imbibers to be fully aware of how much is in the glass.

However, the real danger for oversize stemware is at home. People don’t think twice about filling their goblets to the rim – they’ve been conditioned to believe that having a glass or two of wine a day is ok, even healthy. But since the larger of these will hold a third of a bottle or more, it throws that whole principle out of whack.

Nick Gully, director of addiction services at the U.S.-based clinic says many well-adjusted, functioning people are inadvertently and unwittingly developing a problem over time.

But, can we really blame the abuse of  alcohol on the size of the glass?

I consulted a wine forum where a few bloggers were scandalized by the suggestion:

“A large glass does not an alcoholic make. Not knowing when you have had enough is the problem. Don’t blame an inanimate object for human weakness.” – Ryk, London

The link between wine glass size and a rise in alchoholism is sketchy at best. This is a silly theory and not really news worthy if you ask me.” – Phillip, USA

“The problem is how much is poured into the glass, not the size of the glass.” – Paul, USA

There’s another factor complicating the issue – the percentage of alcohol in wine has been rising substantially in recent years. While some local waterholes and eateries have pledged to add “lighter” wines to their menus in light of the new tough roadside prohibitions, the dismal fact is there are few of these wines on the market.

The demand for bigger body and more intensity in wine’s flavour profile by consumers has resulted in winemakers and viticulturalists seeking riper fruit with higher sugar content. But that translates into more alcohol, giving wines a much bigger bite than they had 25 years ago. Today, you’d be hard-pressed to find many whites in the 10 per cent alcohol range and far fewer reds. Okanagan reds easily top the 14 per cent level and 15-16 per cent-plus is not unheard of.

All this adds up to more alcohol entering our blood streams than is wise – based on the old “glass or two” of wine a day ideal. And I won’t get into all the extra calories.

But as with anything, it’s all about personal control and moderation. Just as you have to avoid supersizing at the drive-thru to keep your cholesterol and belt loops in check – the same applies for wine.

You can’t simply blame the glass.

A colleague of mine has an admirable wine note keeping system. He records his tastings meticulously in hardbound black journals which he catalogs chronologically in a library of sorts.

That way if someone inquires about a wine he reviewed or he re-tastes a wine he’s already critiqued years later, he can reference his notes with relative ease.

He’s meticulous about his record keeping, faithfully scribing his thoughts in his exceedingly neat penmanship. He dates each entry and notes the time, the place and the company he keeps with each one. And although I’ve never seen his shelves of filled books, I am certain the collection is every bit as impressive as others have described.

Awed by his attention to detail, I attempted to take a page from my colleague and went as far as purchasing a stack of hard-bound notebooks – granted, they were a far cheaper version obtained at a dollar store.

But while he excels at discipline and organization, I suck at it.

My own scribes were, in fact, scribbles that were periodically illegible, even to me. The pages became stained or smudged with wine. Plus the book got jammed with scrap paper containing notes I intended to transcribe, but never got around to it.

Quite frankly, while the system may work for some like my friend, I find this form of record keeping antiquated.

It’s irritating trying to balance a wine glass, a notebook and a pen at a massive tasting. I’ve spent a lot of time circling rooms looking for a clear spot to set down my glass, and whatever else I might carting, just so I can jot down a few thoughts.

I traded in my pen and paper a few years ago for a hand-held recording device for tastings where I didn’t have the luxury of sitting down. At first I used the mini-tape recorder salvaged from my days as a daily news reporter, before graduating to a tiny digital one and then eventually a recording app on my iPhone. It was an effective system, but I did look silly whispering to myself over a wine glass.

I caught a lot of people staring.

Being able to record voice on My iPhone is super convenient and I continue to use it for hands-free accurate interviewing. But another app has captured my heart in recent months for gathering information for wine reviews.

The Wine Notes app – WineNotesApp.com – is a free user-friendly option that takes note-taking to a whole new level because once you enter the data on a wine you’ve tasted, it instantly catalogues the information under a variety of headings giving you some amazing browse and reference options.

Here’s how it works: you simply touch the “add entry” tab, and put in the corresponding data for producer, varietal, vintage, proprietary name (if there’s one), region/country etc., and then build a profile for the wine noting the acidity, body and tannins etc.

You can select from a list of common aromas/flavours with simple clicks and record where and when the wine was tasted and the price. There’s also an option to type in notes in your own words if you have the time and inclination, plus take a photograph of the label so you can instantly recognize the wine.

Once all the data is saved, the program stores it under various categories making it browse-able by producer, region/country, vintage, varietal, etc. You can view recent entries at a glance or simply search by typing in a keyword. But that’s not all. You can also browse for a wine by characteristic. Say, for example, you’re looking for a wine to go with an Asian dish and recall tasting a wine that had passion fruit notes but can’t remember the name. You simply open the app, click the “browse” option, then “flavours” and press “passion fruit” and it will list all the wines that featured that characteristic.

There’s also a Twitter option with the program which theoretically enables you to share your reviews instantly using your Twitter account, but I couldn’t get it to work for me.

There are a number of note-taking apps out there, including another free one called Wine Ledger that I used for a time. But it’s pretty basic and doesn’t categorize your reviews in any way shape or form. Others apps feature a few more bells and whistles than Wine Notes, but they cost to download and I didn’t think the extras justified the expense for me.

One thing you need to be careful about with any record-keeping smartphone application is the risk of losing all your data, which happened to me a couple times with the voice recording program. Wine Notes does give you the option to back-up your library with the creation of an account, which I did, but have yet to test its effectiveness.

Wine Notes

Painted Rock 2007 Merlot

Black liquorice, soy, cassis, black cherry, cocoa, and spicy black pepper. Loads of richness on the palate with black fruit flavours, hint of mentol, pepper, mocha and moderate tannins. Quite yummy
Cellaring Potential: Cellar for 2-5 years
Score: A-
Price: $40
Notable: One of the top 25 wines chosen at Whistler’s Cornucopia Celebration of Food and Wine
Availability: Winery, select retailers

CedarCreek 2008 Syrah
Cherry, plum, coffee, toast, chocolate, clove and vanilla bean aromas with a slight hint of herbs. Cherry, coffee, toasty flavours with some moderate tannins on the finish.
Cellaring Potential: Cellar for 1-5 years
Score: B+
Price: $25
Notable: Pretty good value in a deep red and a screw-cap to boot.
Availability: Winery, select retailers

Why claim to have a 100-point scale when you really only have a 15-point scale.”

By Julianna Hayes
Grape Expectations
For many kids in school, a grade of 75/100 or higher is a reason to crow on Facebook.

By academic standards, they’re no overachievers but they’re considered “above average” – solid performers who will get the job done without a lot of fuss and fanfare.

For wine, though, a score of 75 is pretty much a kick in the head.

Is it time to recalibrate the 100-point scale?

The 100 point rating system has long been an industry standard and is used by renowned critics worldwide. Still, it’s a system that is deeply flawed. Over the years, its use has eroded in such a way that the only numbers that seem to matter are the ones in the top 20 percentile – which leaves a lot of meaningless waste.

The illustrious Robert Parker – he of the powerful pen – is one of the most recognizable faces in this form of critiquing. He provides a breakdown of what the scores means to him on his website and, understandably, praise is heaped on wines that score in the 90s and laced with adjectives such as extraordinary, profound and exceptional. Wines in the 80 to 89 range, “display various degrees of finesse.”

Wine Spectator, meanwhile, scores 80-plus bottles in a similar fashion, but in a much more direct way, using the numbers to identify wines that are “good” to “outstanding” to “classic.”

Below the 80 range is where things start to get dicey. According to Parker, wines that hit the 70-79 mark are “average, but soundly made…straightforward and innocuous.”

Wine Spectator, however, says 75-79 equals “mediocre” and the wine may have minor flaws. Anything below 75 is simply undrinkable.

Either way, I have no recent memory of a wine with a score of less than 80 in an industry publication. In fact, it seems to me the average rating these days is 86-89 and with 90-plus being very achievable. That accounts for two possibilities: either the overall product has gotten profoundly better over the years or critics are being unduly generous.

This very question was the subject of much debate among posters in Wine Spectator’s website forum recently. Some enthusiasts wondered if it were high time for a recalibration of the 100-point scale.

“As currently employed by most wine critics, the scale has become pointless,” wrote Jack Bulkin. “In the 80s I enjoyed with anticipation drinking a 90-point wine. Today that is run of the mill.”

And getting a perfect score was virtually unheard of in the industry at one time. For example, Wine Spectator gave only three wines a score of 100 between 1978 and 1987, while Parker’s Wine Advocate awarded 17 such ratings. Over the next 10 years, the number of perfect score wines climbed to 44 by the Advocate and 18 by the Spectator. Between 1998 and 2007, the Advocate scored 126 wines as perfect, while the Spectator identified 33 as worthy of top marks.

“I know you can argue about vintage conditions for the different decades, but it shows a trend,” wrote Qhdeputy. “I can’t attest to the fact that wines are truly improving. I’m sure they have, but to this degree? I’m not sure.”

One writer argued that the scale should be “grossed down” to relieve the compression at the top, making more room for excellent-to-extraordinary wines to differentiate themselves. But he admits there’s a fundamental problem to the concept.

“If the scale is supposed to offer a consistent and objective rating of wines from year to year, then any recalibration could render the scale meaningless. How would a consumer compare an 85-point wine from 1995 to an 85-point wine from 2005? Perhaps it is important that the scale remain constant. If wines are better today than they were 30 years ago, then so be it.”

But one poster suggested that wines haven’t necessarily improved and that critics are likely just being more generous or simply not writing about the poor to mediocre wines.

“Why claim to have a 100-point scale when you really only have a 15-point scale. I think consumers deserve to know which wines (critics) think are average and below. In school (which the 100-pt system stems from), we don’t tell all of the students that got a B or better their grade and then tell all the others, thanks for coming to class but I’m not sharing with you your grade. I understand that wineries might not like the public to find out that critics think their wine only deserves 76 points, but that is the risk when you play the game! Currently, wineries know that they will only receive positive press by submitting samples. If it is below 85 pts, no one will find out. If all scores were shared, then the ‘average’ might be more average. Something needs to be done and this might be a start.”

It sounds simple enough, but there is no easy fix. The whole ratings game is problematic and it’s not just the 100-point scale. I’ve made my own attempts at recalibrating scores in the past and it wasn’t worth the backlash and scorn I endured the first and only time I published a score of less than 80 on a couple of wines in my column.  Despite my explanation, the producers were not buying it.

Of course, I’m not the one to implement effective change, as my pen just isn’t powerful enough. It would take someone like Parker or a publication like Wine Spectator to make the first move. And they’re not budging.

Wine Notes

Painted Rock 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Plum, cassis, bell pepper, herbs, coffee bean, cocoa and toasty aromas. Features a core of dark fruit flavours with pepper, sage, menthol accents. Big mouthfeel and fairly chewy tannins.
Cellaring Potential: Cellar 2-7 years.
Score: A-
Price: $40
Notable: Aged in new French oak 18 months which accounts for its bold tannins .
Availability: Winery, select retailers

Arrowleaf 2009 First Crush
Suitable name for a wine that will please new palates with its approachable characteristics of apricot, orange zest and honeysuckle. Slightly sweet entry balanced by solid acidity. Light, fun and quaffalbe
Cellaring Potential: Drink now.
Score: B
Price: $14
Notable: Blend of Auxerrois, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris.
Availability: BC LDB, select retailers, VQA shops.

Burrowing Owl 2008 Chardonnay (BC)
Orange, nectarine, apple, hazelnut, honey, lemon, toffee butter. Ripe fruit flavours with distinct minerality. Lovely balance and freshness. Score: A-
Price: $25

Meyer  2009 Tribute Series McLean Chardonnay (BC)
Pineapple, melon, baked golden apple, ginger, citrus, butter, lemon. Ripe and luscious, medium body on the palate, refreshing finish with good length. Well-balanced fruit-forward. Score: A
Price: $35

Therapy 2008 Chardonnay (BC)
Pineapple, melon, orange, honeysuckle, butterscotch, baking spice and lemon oil on the nose. Creamy palate with luscious tropical fruit flavours and solid citrus acidity. Decent value. Score: A-
Price: $22

Summerhill Pyramid Cipes Rose (BC)
Dry, crisp and delightfully pick. Loaded with strawberry, apple, apricot and orange and cream character with a toach of toast. Delicious and festive. Features the work of Canadian icon Robert Bateman on the label and $1 from every bottle sold goes to Bateman’s “Get to Know your Wild Neighbors” organization. Score: B+
Price $30

Blue Mountain Brut (BC)
Lemony, mineral and crisp green apple bouquet with toasty notes. Loads of mouthwatering acidity with citrus and green apple flavours. Classically made sparkler with outstanding value. Score: A-
Price: $24

Sperling Vineyard Sper..itz (BC)
Apple, floral and citrusy aromas of lime and grapefruit pop in this fun little BC bubble served up in a bottle built for two. Fresh apple flavours and a citrusy finish a hint of pie crust. Score: B+
Price: $14 for 375ml

Cristalino Rose Brut (Spain)
Killer value in a sparkler cranberry, strawberry, lime, mineral and surprising pleasant spicyness. Fresh on the palate with bright red fruit flavours and spice. Was voted the top wine at Whistler’s Cornucopia Celebration of Food and Wine. Score: A
Price: $16

Gray Monk Odyssey Brut (BC)
Blend of Riesling and Chardonnay with lovely peach, citrus, honeyed apple and yeasty notes. Quite aromatic. Fine mousse and crispness with peachy-apple flavours. Well done and very affordable. Score: A
Price: $25

Sumac Ridge Stellar’s Jay Brut (BC)
A perennial favourite among bubble aficionados. Orchard fruit, apple peel, mineral and nuttyness on the nose. Fine bubbles with apple, peach flavours and a hint of toast. Superb. Score: A-
Price: $26

Col de’ Salice Prosecco di Valdobbiadene DOC Extra Dry (Italy)
Prosecco is a great option for bubble and growing in popularity. This version. This version has pear, floral, mineral, apple and a touch of creaminess. Entry is sweet but finishes crisp. Score: B+
Price: $23

Summerhill 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (BC)
Plum, cherry, cassis, cocoa, mint, pepper, toast, cedar aromas. Cherry, blackberry, toast, hazelnut, mocha, herbaceous, coffee bean flavours. Moderate tannins with some bite on the finish and a good hit of spice. Nicely done. Score: A-
Price: $27

Painted Rock 2007 Merlot (BC)
Black liquorice, soy, cassis, black cherry, cocoa, and spicy black pepper. Loads of richness on the palate with black fruit flavours, hint of mentol, pepper, mocha and moderate tannins. Quite yummy
Cellaring Potential: Cellar for 2-5 years
Score: A-
Price: $40

CedarCreek 2008 Syrah (BC)
Cherry, plum, coffee, toast, chocolate, clove and vanilla bean aromas with a slight hint of herbs. Cherry, coffee, toasty flavours with some moderate tannins on the finish.
Cellaring Potential: Cellar for 1-5 years
Score: B+
Price: $25

Like most people, I don’t have a limitless disposable income. I am terribly frugal when it comes to most things – paying top dollar for only tried and true products or brands to which I’m particularly attached.

I am willing to spend more on a bottle of wine than the average consumer, but a lot of that has to do with my line of work. Still, I relish a good bargain like anyone else. So when I receive the following email from “Lisa,” I took it as a challenge to deliver.

I am one of your regular readers of “Grape Expectations” in the Okanagan Sunday. I was excited to see your list for 2010. My excitement quickly faded when I saw that of your list of 19 wines, only one was under $20.”

“The next lowest priced bottle was $22, with only 8 of the 19 listed wines being in the $20-$30 range. In other words, more than 50 per cent of the wines you listed are $30 or greater! Yikes!! In a time of tough economic times I was quite disappointed that you did not include a significant number of wines that are an affordable price.

“I was born and grew up in the South Okanagan, and do enjoy my wines. However, I have been shocked in recent years to see the huge jump in price. In all honesty, I have seriously reduced my wine consumption and almost consider a purchase of a local bottle of wine as a “luxury” these days. While wine prices have steadily increased in price, I was happy to discover the simultaneous decrease in the price of local cider, which I equally enjoy.

“I am a huge supporter of “buy local” but am finding it increasingly harder to find local wine at a reasonable price. Many of my wine loving friends are finding it equally challenging to buy local and admit to drinking less local wine and turning to wines from overseas that are much more affordable, despite shipping costs.”

Lisa’s note finished with the comment. “I hope that you will consider this email as a request to include ‘price’ as one of your criteria.”

I don’t consider price in my ratings as there is no fair way of doing so. I do always note when a wine represents excellent value – likewise, I will comment when I think it’s overpriced for what it delivers. But few people would want me to bump up a wine’s rating simply because it costs less.

If it’s rated an A+ wine, that means it is of superior quality, meeting all the criteria expected of a wine of that calibre – not a B wine jacked up to an A because it retails for ten bucks.

That said, I totally hear where Lisa is coming from, so I went over my notes from last year and discovered an astonishing number of wines that delivered great bang for the buck.

Thus, I’ve compiled a second list – the Top Value Wines of 2010 – for all the Lisas to whom cost is a factor.

Road 13 2009 Old Vines Chenin Blanc

Quite a bit of complexity delivered by mature vines translating into apple, honey, grapefruit, mineral and spicy aromas. Incredible intensity in this package. A go-to food wine. $20.00

Laughing Stock 2009 Pinot Gris

Elegance in a value package with green apple, buttery, peach, orange rind, mineral aromas and a touch of floral on the bouquet. A bit sweet and buttery on the entry that is quickly balanced by plenty of racy acidity on the finish. $20

Mission Hill 2009 Five Vineyards Rosé

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir. A racy wine with strawberry, pomegranate, orange aromas. Yummy and fresh, lovely sipper with plenty of flavours and zing on the finish. $14

Pentâge 2009 Rosé

100 per cent Gamay. Perfumed aromas of rose petals, vanilla, blood orange, wild strawberry, rhubarb, cherry. Fresh and bright with cherry, wild strawberry, blood orange flavours and citrusy finish. $18.50

Blue Mountain 2009 Pinot Blanc 2009

Peach, apricot, pear and orange zest and lime. Has a touch of creamyness on the entry that is balanced by racy acidity. A proven winner. $18

Red Rooster 2009 Riesling

Honey, apple sauce, peach, nutmeg, pear, lime peel aromas. Luscious honeyed entry with stewed apple, peach nectar, pear, citrus and sweet spicy flavours. Good acidity on the finish. $16

Stoneboat 2009 Pinot Blanc

Pear, green apple skin, honey, mineral, floral, grass, spice and butter. Lots of lemony crispness on the palate, apple, pear and mineral with some earth and light spice. $18

Intrigue 2009 Riesling

Crisp lemon-lime, apple, mineral with hints of peach and orange blossoms. Bright and racy on the palate with fresh apple, peach and lemon.  $17

Township 7 2008 Chardonnay

If you like your Chardonnay with a touch of oak, this version is done without a heavy hand allowing the peach, apple character to still shine while the wood brings out hints of butterscotch, hazelnut, baking spice with a lovely creamy texture on the palate. $20

Tinhorn Creek 2008 Merlot

One of only a few wineries still making straight-up Cab Franc, and it’s also top of the heap. Ripe blackberry aromas, mocha, spice, vanilla, cedar and just a hint of the bell pepper distinctive to Cab Franc. Nice and spicy on the palate with rich black fruit flavours, menthol, bell pepper and cocoa. $17

Road 13 2009 Honest John’s White

Aromatic wine featuring honey, pear, apple, ripe light stone fruit and grapefruit hints. Fairly weighty on the palate with apple skin, peach, honey and yellow grapefruit flavours. Good balance of ripe fruit and acid. $17

8^th Generation 2009 Pinot Meunier Rose

Wild strawberry, bing cherry, citrus, spicy aromas. The entry is fresh and zippy with a hint of sweetness. Ripe bright berry flavours, a hint of pepper and a racy citrus finish. Quaffable in the best way possible. $19

Mission Hill 2008 Five Vineyards Pinot Blanc

Pear, green apple, mineral, some grassy notes and grapefruit aromas. Apple skin, green peach, a hint of lemon, grass and flint on the palate. Good intensity $19

Hillside 2009 Gewurztraminer

Peach, apple, lychee, juicy pink grapefruit, orange blossoms and spice aromas jump out of the aromatic bouquet. Bright tropical fruit flavours with citrus zest on the finish. Not overly powerful but yummy to drink. $19

Quails’ Gate 2009 Chenin Blanc

One of my quintessential summer picks featuring fresh green apple, grapefruit, melon, lime and herbal aromas. The entry is quite tart with loads of steely mineral and citrus character but with fresh oysters we’re talking bam!  $19

Tinhorn Creek 2009 Oldfield Series 2 Bench Rose

Tinhorn is in the pink for the first time and it’s a winner. Features fresh peach, mineral, orange, vanilla and wild strawberry aromas. Nice zippy entry with wild strawberry, peach and a slightly herbal character. $20

Tinhorn Creek 2009 Gewurztraminer

Aromatic with spicy aromas of green apple, lychee, lemon peel, ginger, light rose petals and mineral. Lots of bright fruit flavours and a hint of sweetness on the palate followed by a fresh citrusy finish. $17

Mission Hill 2008 Reserve Pinot Gris

Elegant Gris showing decent weight on the palate and a pale rosy copper hue in the glass. Features pink grapefruit, pear, apple, peach and slightly nutty, buttery aromas. Nice and dry on the entry with flavours of grapefruit, apple, citrus rind, pear and a fresh finish. $19

CedarCreek 2007 Cabernet Merlot

Nicely priced blend with bright red fruit aromas, violets, licorice, mint, and spice. Soft red berry fruit flavours, mocha, mint and spice, round mouthfeel with a smooth finish. $19

Road 13 2008 Honest John’s Red

Cherry, cranberry, floral notes, cedar, earth and spice aromas. Ripe berry flavours, some herbal character, cedar, pepper and distinct freshness on the palate and finish. Supple and reasonably quaffable. $19

Quails’ Gate 2008 Chardonnay

Shows lovely golden apple, melon, peach, orange, lemon, nutty, honey aromas. On the palate, the wine is creamy, but balanced by fresh lemon zest acidity. Wow factor. $19

Sandhill 2009 King Family Vineyard Pinot Gris

A perennial winner featuring green apple, melon, green peach, citrus rind, mineral. Clean and fresh with plenty of acidity. Classic. $17

Sperling Vineyard Sper..itz

Apple, floral and citrusy aromas of lime and grapefruit pop in this fun little BC bubble served up in a bottle built for two. Fresh apple flavours and a citrusy finish a hint of pie crust. $14 for 375ml

Herder 2008 Three Sisters

Peachy, apple, honey and spice with hints of orange and a touch of floral on the nose. Complex palate of baked golden fruit, mandarin and spice. $20

Township 7 2008 Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

Packs a punch of spicy, gamey, smoky, black fruit notes that belie it’s modest price. Well extracted black fruit flavours with a very peppery, savoury palate. Age a couple years or decant and serve with grilled steak or prime rib. $20

Hester Creek 2009 Trebbiano 2009

A rarely seen varietal that has scored high for Hester with critics. Features melon, pear, peach and orange blossom aromas with a silky but fresh palate. Light but surprisingly complex. $19

Gray Monk 2009 Gewurztraminer

Rose petals, peach, lychee, spicy aromas with flecks of tropical fruit. Well balanced sweetness and acidity – classic example of a well-made Gewurz. A must with Thai cuisine. $17

Van Westen 2009 Vino Grigio

Bright and racy with green apple, lemon, pear, mineral and spice. Excellent concentration of flavours with green apple, lemon, mineral. Well done. $19

Herder 2008 Meritage

A hands down screaming deal of a wine featuring cassis, black cherry, plum, savoury aromas. Nice concentration of dark fruits on the palate with spice and savoury flavours and a long finish. $20

8th Generation 2009 Riesling Classic

An arresting bouquet of apples, honey, lemon zest, mineral and a touch of flint. Honeyed apple flavours balanced by bright acidity. Beautifully done. $20

See Ya Later Ranch SYL Brut

Peach, mineral, green apple and touches of toasty, nutty notes in a bubble of unbelievable value. Fine mousse with zest flavours of peach, green apple and yeasty mineral. A sparkling wine for everyday sipping. $20

No shortage of great wines to be had in our part of the world.

By Julianna Hayes
Kelowna Daily Courier
I got a Kindle for Christmas and immediately went on a virtual hunt for e-books to download wirelessly to my new smart little device.

I found a treasure trove of old classics available for free – many have been on my literary bucket list for a number of years. I’ve rediscovered my passion for the printed word, which I’m ashamed to say had waned a little. The increasing convenience of today’s wireless world had made me lazy.

Now I’m pouring over the reading lists of various sources for hot literary downloads. Let’s just say it’s doubtful I’ll ever run short of material.

Whatever their interests, consumers love lists – be it a tally of five-star restaurants and hotels, superior-rated cars, leading innovations, literary bestsellers, hippest fashions or the coolest ringtones.

Thus each January, I look back to the previous year and compile a list of my own, identifying what I thought was tops in B.C. wine.

British Columbia’s wine industry just keeps getting better with age. March 2011 will mark 15 years since I first stepped foot on Okanagan wine country soil and it is hardly recognizable. But what has impressed me most has been the level of maturity that has come with each single vintage as well as the growing sophistication of the British Columbia wine consumer.

This year, I have once again been overwhelmed by the range of outstanding products and I thought I might share with you what were my top scoring B.C. wines of 2010. For this list I have taken into consideration the characteristics of each wine, its overall impression, as well as value.

Please note that many of these wines may no longer be available – local products of excellence and quality tend to get snapped up in a hurry. But please consider picking up current and future vintages of these same wines, they’ve got great lineage and are bound to be equally as impressive. But without further adieu, here is my Best of 2010 List, listed in no particular order:

Therapy 2008 Chardonnay $22

Pineapple, melon, orange, honeysuckle, butterscotch, baking spice and lemon oil on the nose. Creamy palate with luscious tropical fruit flavours and solid citrus acidity. Decent value.

Summerhill 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon $27

Plum, cherry, cassis, cocoa, mint, pepper, toast, cedar aromas. Cherry, blackberry, toast, hazelnut, mocha, herbaceous, coffee bean flavours. Moderate tannins with some bite on the finish and a good hit of spice. Nicely done.

Painted Rock 2007 Merlot $40

Black liquorice, soy, cassis, black cherry, cocoa, and spicy black pepper. Loads of richness on the palate with black fruit flavours, hint of mentol, pepper, mocha and moderate tannins. Quite yummy.

Road 13 2009 Viognier Riesling Sauvignon Blanc $23

Ginger, grapefruit, spice, tropical fruit, mineral and orange peel aromas. Some honey, tropical fruit, peach, grapefruit and mineral on the palate with a fresh snap at the end. For those who prefer slightly off-dry wines.

Burrowing Owl 2008 Merlot $30

Blackberry, anise, vanilla,herbal notes and dark chocolate accented pepper on the nose. Dark rich  fruit, herbs, cocoa, black licorice flavours. Think of pairing this with braised lamb and herbed au jus.

Laughing Stock 2009 Chardonnay $27

Lovely fresh apple, orange peel, butter, almonds and a hint of toasty oak. Plenty of fresh citrus acidity with some round, butteryness on the palate and a long finish. Really quite elegant.

Mission Hill 2008 Perpetua $35

Green apple, peach, butterscotch, pink grapefruit, spice, vanilla and orange peel. Elegant, luscious, but fresh on the palate with green apple, citrus, vanilla and just a hint of butter. Yummy.

Quails’ Gate 2008 Old Vines Foch Reserve $40

Incredible fruit extraction lends inky darkness in colour and rich flavour concentration. Meaty, earthy yet juicy wine with big black jammy fruit aromas and flavours and loads of baking spice, vanilla, coffee bean, dark chocolate and gamey characteristics.

Road 13 2009 Jackpot Riesling $30

Peach, mineral, apple skin and lots of lovely spice on the nose. Peach, mineral, honey character with spice and bracing lemony acidity on the finish. Nicely done.

Sperling Vineyard 2009 Old Vines Riesling $30

Loads of peach, apple, mineral, citrus peel and melon. Very fresh and lively on the palate, citrus, peach, melon and a nice touch of mineral flint. Where are the oysters?

Intrigue 2009 Riesling $17

Crisp lemon-lime, apple, mineral with hints of peach and orange blossoms. Bright and racy on the palate with fresh apple, peach and lemon. Snap it up if you find it.

Mission Hill 2009 Martin’s Lane Riesling $25

Lovely green apple, peach, honeyed tangerine aromas accented by lemon lime. Fresh and bright on the entry, the palate is enveloped with tree fruit and has touches of mineral, lime and a teensy bit of flint. Elegant.

JoieFarm 2008 Reserve Chardonnay $30

A solid food wine featuring aromas of honeyed apricot, pineapple, pear, honey and candied orange rind. There’s good acidity to balance the heft of fruit concentration and substantial weight. This is a wine intended for savouring not quaffing.

Elephant Island 2008 Pink Elephant $25

Fun in a glass with spicy strawberry, apple, cassis aromas and flavours. Nice citrus acidity and foam that lasts.

Black Hills 2009 Viognier $30

This wine is all lux with aromas of peaches, apricots, honey, orange peel, honeysuckle blossoms, accented by mineral and spice. Big juicy mouthfeel with honeyed golden fruit flavours, orange, spice and solid acidity on the finish. Packs a healthy wallop of alcohol at 14.2 per cent.

Laughing Stock 2008 Syrah $33

Lux black cherries, cassis, plum, dark vanilla, tobacco, chocolate and violets. Rich but supple on the palate with black berry flavours, mocha, vanilla, pepper and some earthyness. Quite dense but yummy.

Burrowing Owl 2008 Chardonnay $25

Honey, nut, baked apple aromas with ripe tree fruit flavours and some citrus notes. Lovely, elegant creamy palate with nutty, vanilla, apple flavours, some citrus on the finish. Classic Chard that isn’t overdone.

Elephant Island 2007 Little King $25

Granny Smith Apple base wine gets a raspberry dosage treatment and the result is frothy pink bubbles with crisp apple and berry flavours and a surprising elegance on the palate.

Osoyoos Larose 2007 Le Grand Vin $40

Coffee bean, black fruits, olive, smoky notes, nuts & chocolate in this intensely concentrated Bordeaux-style blend. Iconic B.C. wine at a manageable price.

See Ya Later Ranch Brut $20

Talk about fabulous value in this delicious bubble. Green apple, nutty, cream, floral and some herbal aromas. Lovely mineral, citrus acidity and creamy palate. The mousse is fine and long lasting.

8th Generation 2009 Riesling Classic $20

Apples and loads of citrus with hints of pear and mineral. Bright entry with just a touch of sweetness balanced by mouthwatering acidity. Incredible value.

Sumac Ridge Tribute Gold Méthode $50

An elegant offering with pear, apple, toasty, nutty aromas with a hint of citrus and spice. The mousse is delicate and long lasting on the palate. Loads of fruit flavours, some butter, nuts and spice with lovely minerality.

Hillside 2009 Gewurztraminer $19

Peach, apple, lychee, juicy pink grapefruit, orange blossoms and spice aromas jump out of the aromatic bouquet. Bright tropical fruit flavours with citrus zest on the finish. Not overly powerful but yummy to drink.

La Frenz 2009 Sauvignon Blanc $22

Aromas of passion fruit, gooseberry, lemon peel and grassy notes. Mouthwatering acidity with full-on fruit flavours, lots of length on the finish. Lots of complexity in the mouth but refreshing to drink and a must with oysters.

Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut $24

Great value in this elegant bubble with baked pear, apple, pie crust, peach, nutty, honey, lemony aromas. Creamy fine mousse continues to deliver long after the wine is consumed. At this price, you can have a kick-butt patio refresher.

Quails’ Gate 2009 Chenin Blanc $19

One of my quintessential summer picks featuring fresh green apple, grapefruit, melon, lime and herbal aromas. The entry is quite tart with loads of steely mineral and citrus character but with fresh oysters we’re talking bam!

Laughing Stock 2009 Viognier $26

A big, juicy number with intense aromas of tropical fruit, orange blossoms, nectarine and lemon oil. Luscious fruit flavours of mango, pineapple, nectarine and honeyed orange with excellent cleansing acidity.

Tinhorn Creek 2009 Oldfield Collection 2Bench $23

Peach, apple, vanilla, spice, sweet orange and honeysuckle blossoms. Luscious fruit wraps around the palate with creamy vanilla, peach, melon, orange peel, butter with some snappy acidity on the finish. Quite mouth filling, yet elegant.

La Frenz 2009 Viognier $22

Orange blossoms, nectarine, lemon oil, tropical fruit and honeyed aromas with hints of flecked ginger. Ripe tropical fruit, nectarine flavours – juicy fruit with great balanced freshness on the finish. Yummy.

Nk’Mip Cellars 2008 Chardonnay Qwam Qwmt $25

If you like Chardonnays laced with buttery, this is the one for you. Loads of honeyed tropical fruit, lemon oil, apple, butter, toasted nut aromas. Butter and tropical fruit is apparent on the palate with enough zip on the finish for balance. Nicely done.

Meyer Family Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir $40

Ruby red fruit of currants, cherry and strawberry with hints of spice and herbal notes. Bright red currant and cherry flavours, menthol, earth and spicy accents. Clean finish with some chewy tannins.

Mission Hill 2006 Oculus $70

A big mouthfiller with very spicy, meaty, earthy characteristics of pepper, mint, leather, blackberry, coffee bean and vanilla. Luscious and weighty with a substantial tannic kick it delivers huge black fruit flavours, coffee, leather, pepper, herbal and black olive. An investment purchase

JoieFarm 2009 Muscat $23

Quite floral, sweet orange, peach, honeyed aromas with a hint of spice. Lovely initial sweetness on the entry, but immediately dries out with stone fruit flavours of peach and apricot and plenty of citrus zest.

Quails’ Gate 2007 Chardonnay $19

Sixty-five per cent of this wine gets some barrel treatment, but the effect is light. Shows lovely golden apple, peach, orange, nutty, honey aromas. On the palate, the wine is creamy, but balanced by fresh acidity.

CedarCreek 2006 Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir $35

Strawberry, chocolate, mint, earth, plum, pepper with some refined oak translating onto a luscious palate of leather, mocha, red fruits and butterscotch. Moderate tannins, could use some time.

See Ya Later Ranch 2007 Rover $27

Despite its name, this wine is no dog. In fact, it’s an impressive, concentrated effort featuring big black berry fruit and savoury notes, licorice root, herbal, pepper, coffee and lifted orange peel. Meaty palate with lots of savoury pepper, tobacco, vanilla and coffee character. Has that wow factor and a pretty good value too.

Poplar Grove 2007 Syrah 2007 $30

Blackberries, black cherry, blueberry, violets, cocoa, tobacco leaf and gamey notes in the dense nose. Chewy black fruit and earthy flavours with hints of licorice and spice. Decent deal.

Road 13 2008 Viognier Roussanne Marsanne $24

A lot going on in the glass with spicy, tropical notes, mandarin, citrus peel, honey, and floral aromas. Slightly sweet entry with luscious orange, honey, floral and tropical fruit flavours, but nicely balanced acidity on the finish. Quite a delight.

Painted Rock 2007 Red Icon $55

Savoury nose of peppery, leather, black office and baking spice with black cherry and plum. A meaty wine with dark chocolate, black fruit, coffee bean, vanilla flavours and spicy, hot, herbal finish. The tannins are pretty chewy.

Bubble cocktails are a good way to say you care.

By Julianna Hayes
Kelowna Daily Courier
Call me cynical, but I think Valentine’s Day is a crock of hooey.

Its roots seem honorable enough – said to commemorate medieval saints by the same name – ironically with no links to romance, let alone candied hearts and greeting cards.

Yet over the centuries, February 14^th has somehow morphed into an overhyped commercialized spendfest, rivaled only by Christmas. As the day approaches, couples around the globe, many of whom spend the better part of the year depleting each other’s love bank, seek inspiration on how to fill it.

A lot of people will fall back on Hallmark and 1-800-FLOWERS to deliver their message – but many have a sense of ennui about the usual trappings associated to Valentine’s Day.

In the week leading up to V-Day, my email inbox has been peppered with queries from folks wanting suggestions on wines that say “I love you” – but all the requests have been the same – they’re hankering for something “different.”

Please don’t suggest Champagne,” wrote “Alice” in Penticton. “I know Champagne and romance are suppose to go hand in hand – but don’t you think it’s overdone and a bit boring?”

Personally, I don’t think sparkling wine can ever be overdone and boring. In fact, I think people don’t indulge in the bubble enough – except, of course, on New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day. So I hear you, Alice.

I’m going to suggest sparking wine anyway, but with a twist. One of the latest trends in drinks are wine cocktails, particularly using bubble whose effervescence gives mixed concoctions a refreshing lift.

At the recent Sun Peaks Winter Festival of Wine, there was a Mixology Face-off, in which Globe Café & Tapas bartender Damon Newport took the Judge’s Choice Award with a Black Forest Cake Martini featuring Summerhill Pyramid Winery ice wine and bubble and chocolate covered cherries.

That combination shouts romance to me and it gives lovers the twist they so crave. With that in mind, I’ve assembled a list of sensual cocktails and martinis featuring B.C. sparkling wines that should put couples in the mood on V-Day. The sparkling wines provided in these love potions are just suggestions – they can be swapped out for others if necessary.

Black Forest Cake Martini
Soak maraschino cherries in 151 rum overnight.
Coat a few of the rum soaked cherries in dark chocolate and chill to harden the chocolate.
Rim martini glass with crème de cacao and dark chocolate shavings.
Press rum soaked cherries, and combine the resulting liqueur with Summerhill’s Chalice in equal parts.
Add a dash of crème de cacao and shake over ice.
Pour into prepared martini glass and shower with Cipes Brut.
Garnish with chocolate covered rum soaked cherries.

Chanel No. 6
Pour 1 oz vodka, 1 oz Chambord, and 1 oz chilled pineapple juice into a champagne glass.
Top with well-chilled Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut.
Add a fresh raspberry.

Midnight Kiss Cocktail
Rim the edge of a wine glass with white or gold sugar.
Pour 3/4 oz. well-chilled vodka into the glass, and fill with See You Later Ranch Brut.
Top with a splash of Blue Curaçao.

Pretty Woman
Pour 1 oz of Grand Marnier and 1-1/2 oz of chilled cranberry juice into a martini glass.
Top with well-chilled Road 13 Chenin Blanc Sparkling Wine.
Add an orange twist and a fresh sprig of mint as garnish.

Black Velvet
Fill tall champagne flute halfway with a chilled stout beer like Guinness.
Float sparkling wine on top of the stout by pouring it over a spoon turned upside down over the top of the glass so that the liquid runs gently down the sides. The differing densities of the liquids cause them to remain largely in separate layers.

Aurora
Combine 1 oz Victoria Gin, 1 oz Elephant Island Apricot Dessert Wine, and  1 oz squeezed fresh lemon juice (approx 1/2 lemon) in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass until ¾ full.
Top with a splash of Sumac Ridge Stellar’s Jay Brut.

Cherub’s Cup
Shake and strain 1 part St. Germain elderflower liqueur, 2 parts vodka, 3/4 part fresh lemon juice, 1/4 shot simple syrup, 1 part muddled strawberry and pour into martini glass.
Top with Gray Monk Odyssey Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine
Garnish with strawberry.

Last weekend at Whistler’s Cornucopia Celebration of Food and Wine, I was introduced to a stellar wine that retails for just $11 – in Ontario. In B.C., the same bottle sells for a hair under $23. What gives?

You can credit years of bureaucratic financial manoeuvres for the plundering of our pockets, the most recent of which was a jack in the provincial liquor board mark-up in May to offset revenue losses expected in the switch to the harmonized sales tax (HST). Now every wine that enters B.C. territory is subject to a staggering 123 per cent mark-up.

Hence, Chile’s stunning Errazuriz Estate 2009 Chardonnay rings in at more than double the price here than in the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba.

That was the only disappointment during Cornucopia’s Killer Value Wines seminar, but it was a doozy. In almost every instance, the wines we sampled could be found cheaper in provinces east of beautiful B.C.

The seminar profiled a selection of wines chosen as great buys by judges in Wine Access magazine’s annual International Value Wine Awards. The criteria for the competition is simple – wines were eligible for entry if they could be purchased “somewhere” in Canada for under $25. But what that can mean is the same wines could just as easily retail for much more.

Still, last week’s panel of experts kept that snag in mind when presenting their picks from the cream of the value crop to the mostly B.C.-based crowd. All the wines did retail for less than $25 here and were superb buys indeed.

Here’s a list of the great deals to be had:

Zonin N/V Prosecco (Italy) $16 (BC)

Friendly, soft, approachable and cherry. Described by panellist Kurtis Kolt as the “perfect breakfast wine.” Apple, lime, fresh mineral with soft stone fruit characteristics. Nice lively effervescence. Ideal selection for tapas. Canadian low – $13

Jackson Estate Stich 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) $20 (BC)

Grassy, herbal, grapefruit, lime rind, passion fruit, gooseberry. Features NZ’s signature herbal, grassy character without being overdone. An excellent choice for oysters. Canadian low – $20

Finca Los Primos 2009 Unoaked Chardonnay (Argentina) $10 (BC)

Light melon, white peach and citrus aromas, fresh, bright character, light tropical and citrus flavours with fresh acidity on the finish. Light and delicate, easy to drink, but tastes like a $20 wine. Pair with white fish dressed with a simple lemon and olive oil sauce. Canadian low – $10

Errazuriz Estate 2009 Chardonnay (Chile) $23 (BC)

Restrained oak use leaves white peach, melon, lemon oil, butterscotch. Delicious peachy, lemony, light buttery flavours. All the freshness is retained in this elegant wine. Nice choice for scallops, sable fish. Canadian low – $11

Cono Sur 2009 Viognier (Chile) $11 (BC)

Apricot, pear, white floral, honey and stone fruit aromas. Luscious, with a sweet entry yet still fresh on the palate. Flavours of peach, pear and honey with a touch of mandarin. Superb sipper or with lightly spice Asian dishes. Canadian low – $11

Mission Hill 2009 Five Vineyards Rosé (BC) $16 (BC)

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir. A racy wine with strawberry, pomegranate, orange aromas. Yummy and fresh, lovely sipper with plenty of flavours and zing on the finish. A fresh alternative to red when looking for a suitable pairing for grilled steak or prime rib. Canadian low – $14

Pentâge 2009 Rosé (BC) $18.50 (BC)

100 per cent Gamay. Perfumed aromas of rose petals, vanilla, blood orange, wild strawberry, rhubarb, cherry. Fresh and bright with cherry, wild strawberry, blood orange flavours and citrusy finish. Excellent choice for the holiday table and the colour is festive too. Canadian low – $18

Cusumano 2008 Nero d’Avola (Sicily) $18 (BC)

Black cherry, savoury, fresh herbs, cocoa and earthy notes. Luscious black fruits, mocha, savoury flavours with loads of freshness retained. Delicious and an excellent option for game dishes or a hearty beef stew. Canadian low – $10

Frescobaldi 2008 Remole (Tuscany) $15 (BC)

A blend of 85 per cent Sangiovese and $15 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon. Cassis, herbal, black olive aromas and a touch of spice on the nose. Luscious flavours with solid tannin structure for bite. Superb value. Think spaghetti with Bolognese sauce. Canadian low – $12

Road 13 2008 Rockpile (BC) $24 (BC)

A blend of 60 per cent Syrah, 19 per cent Merlot, 10 per cent Cab Sauv, 6 per cent Cab Franc and splashes of Zinfandel, Grenache, Mourvedre and Viognier. Toasty, white pepper, spice, coffee bean, black cherry, current, olive, sage and smoked meat character. The carnivore’s wine. Canadian low – $24.

Three Winds 2008 Syrah (France) $14 (BC)

Syrah on the cheap! Spicy, cocoa, black cherry, white pepper, savour, plum, tar and licorice aromas. Jammy dark fruit flavours with spice, licorice and mocha. This is the penultimate barbecue wine. Canadian low – $14

Gonzalez Byass N/V Nutty Solera (Spain) $16 (BC)

Not-your-grandma’s sherry with killer value. Dried apricot, toffee, hazelnut aromas with dried fruit, nutty, caramel flavours. Warms you to the core with 20 per cent alcohol. A great aperitif wine with a charcuterie board alongside blue cheese, dried fruit and toasted nuts. Canadian low – $16