The Province: Wine Guy on Neck of the Woods

Posted by admin on August 10, 2011 in News & Events

As we ease into the B.C. Day long weekend, it’s fitting to gather around the dogwood and salute our province with a homegrown bottle. Now the Okanagan Valley is the largest and most celebrated of B.C. wine regions, but it’s certainly not the only local area sporting vineyards. Likewise, B.C. wine is more than just globe-trotting grapes such as Merlot and Chardonnay. A little exploration turns up wineries off the beaten path as well as quirky grapes, and this week we salute beautiful British Columbia with a three-bottle tour of more unusual wines that hail from Oliver’s Golden Mile, out west in the Fraser Valley, and across the Strait of Georgia.

THE SWIRL: HARMONY ARTS FESTIVAL WINE GARDEN

Fans of al fresco wine sipping take note, West Vancouver’s Harmony Arts Festival features a wine garden hosted by the local wine experts from house wine and Italian restaurant Mangia e Bevi. Located waterside at the foot of 15th Street in Millennium Park, the garden is open July 29-Aug. 7. For complete details check harmonyarts.ca.

GEHRINGER BROTHER’S 2010 EHRENFELSER ($14.99, #171512)

A classic, super value patio white from one of the South Okanagan’s oldest wineries, Gehringer Brothers’ Ehrenfelser consistently delivers fun, fruity sipping.

With origins in Germany, the Ehrenfelser grape was created by crossing Riesling with Silvaner into a unique early-ripening cultivar that’s also well suited to the Okanagan’s potential early fall frosts. Aromas of apricot and almond lead to an off-dry fruitiness before a fresh, well-balanced finish. Great sipped solo or with grilled chicken and fish.

Bottom Line: B+ “Nice lingering apricot finish.”

NECK OF THE WOODS 2009 PARADISO ($15.99)

We head west across the mountains (and southeast to Austria) to toast our province with a Zweigelt from Langley winery Neck of the Woods. Zweigelt, a little tricky to pronounce (say TSVYE-gelt) but very easy to enjoy, is the most planted red grape variety in Austria, where it was introduced almost a century ago by crossing Blaufrankisch and St. Laurent. The hearty cultivar can also fend off the cooler climate of the Fraser Valley, and Neck of the Wood’s Paradiso is a deliciously fresh, lighter red bursting with cherry and strawberry fruit. With minimal tannins and a refreshing tartness, it makes for a great barbecue wine.

Bottom Line: B+ “Try with spicy, sticky ribs.”

AVERILL CREEK 2010 FOCH EH ($18)

It’s harder to think of a better occasion to crack open a bottle of Foch Eh than B.C. Day. Of course, the name is a playful homage to Marechal Foch, the hybrid grape originally from France. One hundred per cent Marechal Foch and “100% Estate Grown and Hand Crafted in the Cowichan Valley,” Foch Eh is fermented using the whole grape, carbonic maceration technique to create another low tannin, light-bodied, perfect summer red wine showing great freshness, berry fruit, and a lick of spice. Only 250 cases were produced. Look for the wine at the winery or select private wine stores on the Island and Mainland.

Bottom Line: B “Get the salmon on the grill!”

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/life/Wine/5171410/story.html#ixzz1UfAufFlz