"France" and "Bubbly" for the 36th Annual VIWF

From the VIWF PR feed...

Vancouver, BC, March 27, 2013 – Canada’s premier wine show wrapped up March 3, ending its 35th year by announcing France as the theme for 2014. Next year, flutes are raised to Bubbly as the global focus. Oenophiles eagerly anticipate sips of the world’s finest sparkling wines, with corks popping from rare bottles and vintages during the effervescent week-long festival. With France in the spotlight, 2014 is certain to be an exceptional year, with a tantalizing selection of tastings, winery dinners, wine minglers, lunches and seminars. The 2014 Vancouver International Wine Festival, presented by The Vancouver Sun, runs February 24 to March 2 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West and fine restaurants and select venues throughout the city.

France is well recognized as a leader in the industry and has produced wine for two and a half millennia. One of the world’s most prolific winemaking nations, France’s nearly two million acres of vineyards yield over 7 billion bottles each year. The country is known for grape-growing regions synonymous with wine, including Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire, Rhône and South of France, and is widely admired for its diverse styles. France was last the theme region of the Vancouver International Wine Festival in 2006.
Our take...

So happy to see France return as the theme region as it remains the world wide leader in producing (and hyping) quality wine. We're certainly hoping that as the designated theme region that more producers from Bordeaux and Burgundy decide to attend. Representation from all of France's many wine-producing regions has been minimal in recent years with only Southern Rhone being reasonably well-represented by well-known producers like the Perrin Family.

We're not expecting any Bordeaux first growths or DRC to show up with samples to share, but a reasonable selection of recognizable and unheralded producers from Bordeauxe, Burgundy, Alsace and the Loire Valley would be welcomed by the wine-loving public of Vancouver. We can't wait to learn who will accept the invitation. Keep an eye on http://www.vanwinefest.ca/ for more information over the next 11 months.
 - Liam Carrier

BC Wine Deal: March 8th, 2013

The following wines have been marked down at your local BC VQA and participating BCLDB stores.

Andrew Peller Cabernet /Merlot was $14.99 is now $13.49
Andrew Peller Chardonnay was $17.99 is now $15.99
Andrew Peller Private Reserve Merlot was $19.99 is now $17.99
Calona Sovereign Opal was $14.99 is now $12.99
Domaine de Chaberton Gamay Noir was $16.99 is now $13.99
Domaine de Chaberton Pinot Gris was $16.99 is now $13.99
Inniskillin Pinot Noir Reserve was $18.99 is now $17.49
Jackson Triggs Reserve Riesling was $13.99 is now $12.49
Jackson Triggs Black Series Sauvignon Blanc was $13.99 is now $12.49
Kalala Organic Gewurztraminer was $17.95 is now $12.95
Kalala Organic Pinot Gris was $17.95 is now $12.95
Kalala Organic Riesling was $16.98 is now $11.95
Mission Hill Broken Shadow Weathervane was $17.99 is now $16.99
Mission Hill Broken Shadow Wind station was $17.99 is now $16.99
Mission Hill Merlot Select Lot was $29.99 is now $27.99
Oak Bay Gamay Noir 375ml. was $10.95 is now $9.50
Oak Bay Marechal Foch was $19.50 is now $16.50
Prospect Merlot/Cabernet was $14.99 is now $13.99
Prospect Pinot Grigio was $14.99 is now $13.99
Prospect Shiraz was $16.99 is now $15.99
Recline Ridge Optima was $16.90 is now $12.90
See Ya Later Gewurztraminer was $16.99 is now $15.49
See Ya Later Rover was $24.99 is now $21.99
Soaring Eagle Red Blend was $18.90 is now $17.90
Soaring Eagle Red Meritage was $22.90 is now $19.90
St.Hubertus Firemans Red was $16.50 is now $15.50
St.Hubertus Pinot Blanc was $14.75 is now $13.50
Sumac Ridge Private Reserve Merlot was $15.99 is now $14.49
Summerhill Cabernets was $26.95 is now$23.95
Summerhill Organic Pinot Gris was $19.95 is now $14.95

Monthly Picks: March 2013

In honour of the recently completed 35th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival who's featured varietal this year was Chardonnay, this month's wine picks is dedicated to that classic Burgundian grape which has found many new places to thrive around the world. Long live Chardonnay!

La Frenz Winery 2011 Chardonnay - $20
Canada. At first impression the 2011 La Frenz Chardonnay seems to follow on the heels of the lean and tart 2010 edition, however, when given time to open-up in the glass the wine reveals a layer of rich orchard fruit beneath the crisp and tangy veneer which rounds-out the palate and compliments the light oak and MLF notes living up to the "Peaches'n'Cream" moniker.
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J Vineyards and Winery 2009 Chardonnay - $25
USA. This is the right kind of California oaked Chardonnay; big and buttery without the loss of balance. Melon, caramel apple and pear aromas greet you on the intense nose followed by similar flavours on the rich, textured palate with added white chocolate, lime rind and lychee notes.
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Painted Rock Estate Winery 2011 Chardonnay - $30
Canada. This is a tricky wine to get hold of now, but no Chardonnay list would be complete without including our Icon Wine of the Year for 2012. Delicate, complex and supremely well balanced.
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Silverback Vineyards 2011 Chardonnay - $55 (est)
USA. This beautiful Washington State Chardonnay was tasted last Summer as a barrel sample but is now ready to be released. A feminine, single-vineyard Chardonnay with layers of dried roses, orchard fruit, citrus and melon aromas on the clean, elegant nose.
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Antinori 2010 Cervaro Della Sala - $60
Italy. A curious selection from a country that mostly produces short-lived and spicy white wines. This is an age-worthy wine with gorgeous almond, crispy bread, orchard fruit and mineral characters aged in 100% new French oak that challenges where we expect top-notch Chardonnay to originate from.
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Champagne Lanson N/V Extra Age Blanc de Blanc - $114
France. A stunning Champagne made from 100% Chardonnay grapes sourced exclusively from Grand and 1er cru vineyards offering sweet brioche, floral and mineral characters. Fresh, clean and crisp, the house style avoids all secondary Malolactic fermentation leaving the natural acidity high yet completely balanced. Ultra delicate on the pleasing fine-bubbled palate.
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