As the 'Security Games' get under way, we'll be watching from the comfort of our sofas while our athletes compete against their international peers. The anxiety and nervousness we feel during this Olympiad may have less to do with our compatriot's athletic performances and more about their personal safety travelling between events or should they choose to speak-out about the host country's repressive anti-gay laws. Perhaps, a few extra bottles of wine will be opened to over the 18 days of competition to help ease the tension this time round.
Day "1" - Before The Storm
The action begins a day before the Opening Ceremony with a new-to-the-Olympics event: Snowboard Slopestyle. Not familiar with this new discipline? Me neither, but Canada has a great history of doing well with newly-added Olympic disciplines, at least, until the rest of the world starts to pay attention and catches-up. Stay with the 'new' theme and pair Day 1 with Chateau Des Charmes own Nouveau.
Day 2 - Opening Ceremony
For the opening ceremony, pop open a bottle of Blue Mountain's Brut, one of BC's best sparkling wines and soak-in the over-the-top music and choreographed dancing extravaganza.
Day 3 - "Oh... Franc!"
The Women's Ice Hockey tournament begins on Feb 8th with Canada taking on the Swiss. As women's hockey is dominated by two countries, Canada and the US, the Swiss women are in for a tough go and if they were to mount a microphone in the Swiss net I'm sure we'd hear a many "Oh... Franc!" every time the Canadians score. As Swiss wine is very hard to find in Canada, toast our neutral, land-locked friends by opening a bottle of the equally neutral-tasting grape, and native of Switzerland, Chasselas from St. Hubertus.
Day 4 - Crazy! Crazy-Good.
The Men's Downhill runs on Sunday, February 9th, an event that requires nerves of steel and icy veins. These guys are crazy... crazy-good! And that deserves an equally crazy-good wine. The JoieFarm 2011 "En Famille" Reserve Gewurztraminer fits the bill perfectly.
Day 5 - Perfect Pursuit
A too-easy, yet, sneakily perfect pairing for Day 5 is the SpierHead Winery 2011 Pursuit. It's a tasty blend of 48% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc that will keep you warm and toasty as you watch the Men's 12.5 KM Pursuit Biathlon.
Day 6 - High Flying
With both Ski Jumping and Snowboard Halfpipe on the docket, Day 6 will be flying high on adrenaline. This calls for wine that will help you relax like the Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 Tempranillo who's mellow tannins and smooth, smoky structure will keep you balanced and ease any tension in watching these amazing athletes fling themselves off the mountain.
Day 7 - A Medley Of Sorts
The Men's Nordic Combined event is a combination of ski jumping and a cross-country 10km race. This medley should pair nicely with an inspired Meritage blend like the Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 Meritage who's forgiving tannins frame its mixed-berry and plum fruit nicely and linger through to a spicy, long and well-balanced finish - long enough to last through both, combined, events.
Day 8 - Luge Deluge
Is it me or does it seem like we'd already hit the critical mass of Luge events with singles for both Men and Women and the seemingly unnecessary Doubles event? Do we really need a new Luge event? Well, judge for yourself with the Olympic unveiling of the Luge Team Relay that runs on Day 8. One oddity deserves another. Enter Gold Hill Winery 2011 Pinot Noir I which is actually a blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Merlot.
Day 9 - Skeleton In The Closet
Skeleton is in an insane sport. You run as fast as you can for 20 paces and then launch yourself down a wicked and winding track of ice, head first. That takes guts. So does leaving successful careers and diving head-first into the volatile wine industry like Jak and Janice Meyer back did in 2006. OK, the comparison is a bit of a stretch, but lovers of BC Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are sure happy the Meyer Family took the plunge. On the day both the Men's and Women's Skeleton athletes compete, celebrate with the Meyer Family Vineyards 2011 Pinot Noir.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
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