2010 World Cup Of Wine

To celebrate the 2010 World Cup of Soccer in South Africa we are hosting a few nation VS. nation competitions of our own, of the wine variety, of course. There are a number of the world's major wine producing nations competing in "The Finals" and each time they meet we will have their wines compete head-to-head. Themes have been chosen for each match-up to create a judgeable context.

Wines will be judged on:

Complexity (Nose)
Complexity (Palate)
Food Friendly
Concentration of Flavours
Expression of Terroir
Value - Wines must be under $25

The Schedule

Round Robin stage:
Match 1: Sunday, June 13th
Countries: Germany VS. Australia
Theme: Riesling
Results

Match 2: Sunday, June 20th
Countries: Italy VS. New Zealand
Theme: Refreshinging Whites
Results

Match 3: Tuesday, June 22nd
Countries: France VS. South Africa
Theme: Syrah
Results

Match 4: Friday, June 25th
Countries: Chile VS. Spain
Theme: Rosé
Results

Round of 16 stage:

Match 5: Tuesday, June 29th
Countries: Spain VS. Portugal
Theme: Tempranillo
Results

Quarterfinals:

Match 6: Saturday, July 3rd
Countries: Germany VS. Argentina
Theme: Aromatic Whites
Results

Semifinals:

Match 7: Wednesday, July 7th
Countries: Spain VS. Germany
Theme: Budget Whites ($10)
Results

The Final

Match 8: Sunday, July 11th
Countries: Holland VS. Spain
Theme: Beer
Results

Tinhorn Creek 2010 Spring Release

The 2009 growing season in the Okanagan Valley (see the 2009 Vintage Report) was a phenomenal one, especially for the white varietals. A warm September and October gave the wineries and growers the ability to allow the fruit to ripen to their specifications rather than the weather dictating the harvest. A great position to be in. The result is a fantastic line-up of 2009 white wines from BC wineries that are slowly being released this Spring.

Tinhorn Creek's 2009 vintage whites are available now, but you may have to go direct to the winery to get them. Perusing the shelves at your local BC Liquor Store you may find mostly 2008 vintage whites taking up valuable shelf real estate. Could be the BCLDB is waiting for the 2008's to sell out before stalking their shelves with the new releases. If so, consider this a preview of what you have to look forward to or get a jump on the liquor store and order direct from the winery (either in person or online).

The Tinhorn Creek 2009 line-up is full of fruit-forward, food-friendly, professionally finished, nicely acidic, quality wines that are very well-priced. We were pleasantly impressed.

2009 Gewurztraminer - $16.99
Aromas of sweet citrus, lychee, honey, pears, rose blossoms and the spice of crushed cardamom shells on the nose. The oily textured, full-bodied palate offers youthful flavours of tropical acidity, lychee, stone fruit, spice and minerality with excellent balance and a long finish.  87pts
Full Review

2009 Pinot Gris - $16.99
A quality wine with excellent concentration and a balanced, moderate-plus finish offering good value for the price. 88pts
Full Review

2009 Chardonnay - $16.99
Classic aromas of luscious melons, buttery ice cream and orchard fruit with quiet herbaceous notes. Flavours of pears, apples, sweet pineapple and light toasted oak spice and with piquant, lemony acidity; very refreshing. 87pts
Full Review

2009 Oldfield Series 2Bench Wine - $22.99
Overall this wine is complex and refreshing with fantastic minerality as one might expect from an estate grown Chardonnay driven blend. There is a lot going on in this wine. 89pts
Full Review

To learn more about Tinhorn Creek wines and winery events, including their fun concert series, visit their website: http://www.tinhorn.com/
 - Liam Carrier

BC Wine Deal: June 2nd, 2010

New BC VQA Wine price reductions for June including two stand-outs: Desert Hill's Mirage and Hester Creek's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. New vintages on the way?

Available at VQA stores like Langley's The Wine Emporium.

Andrew Peller Chardonnay Private Reserve was $17.99 IS NOW $15.99
Andrew Peller Pinot Gris Private Reserve was $16.99 IS NOW $14.99
Arrowleaf Snow Tropics Vidal 2007 was $15.99 IS NOW $13.99
Desert Hills Mirage was $34.90 IS NOW $29.90
Gehringer Desert Sun 2008 was $12.99 IS NOW $11.99
Gehringer Riesling was $13.99 IS NOW $12.99
Gehringer Dry Rock Merlot 2008 was $14.99 IS NOW $13.99
Gray Monk Latitude Fifty White 2008 was $13.99 IS NOW $12.99
Hester Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 was $34.99 IS NOW $25.99
River's Bend Black Horse Red 2006 was $23.90 IS NOW $21.90
Stag's Hollow Sauvignon Blanc 2009 was $20.02 IS NOW $18.99
Summerhill Ehrenfelser 2008 was $19.95 IS NOW $17.95