WCOW'14: Match 1

Match 1: Friday, June 13th
Countries: Chile VS. Australia
Theme: Syrah/Shiraz

Australia - 3
Chile - 2


The Wines

Chile: Viña Errázuriz 2011 Max Reserva Syrah
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14%
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Australia: Layer Cake Wines 2011 Shiraz
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $28
Alcohol: 14.5%
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The Results

Complexity:    Layer Cake Shiraz
Food Friendliness:    Layer Cake Shiraz
Typicity:    Layer Cake Shiraz
Concentration:    Max Reserva Syrah
Expression of Terroir:    Neither
Value:    Max Reserva Syrah

Recap

Though the World Cup soccer game was a little one-sided in favour of Chile's impressive squad, the wine match was far more competitive with the Australia Shiraz squeaking out a victory thanks to it's edge in complexity and typicity - you certainly know you're drinking an Aussie (sourced) Shiraz. Neither wine, however, expressed a sense of specific terroir as reflected by their sub-90pt scores. Both Syrah/Shiraz are well-made for mass-produced wines but lack that unique, identifying qualify that one hopes to find. The Layer Cake entry received the food-friendly nod thanks to its vein of peppercorn spice on the palate that screams 'Steak!", but really, you can't go wrong with either wine.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

2014 World Cup Of Wine

To celebrate the 2014 World Cup of Soccer in Brazil we are hosting a few nation VS. nation competitions of our own, of the wine variety, obviously. 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 help frame a judgeable context.

Wines will be judged on:

Complexity
Food Friendliness
Typicity
Concentration
Expression of Terroir
Value

The Schedule

Group Stage:

Match 1: Friday, June 13th
Countries: Chile VS. Australia
Theme: Syrah/Shiraz
Results Chile 2, Australia 3

Match 2: Monday, June 16th
Countries: Germany VS. Portugal
Theme: Crisp Whites
Results Germany 3, Portugal 3

Match 3: Wednesday, June 18th
Countries: Spain  VS. Chile
Theme: Budget Red Blends
Results - Spain 3 - Chile 2

Match 4: Sunday, June 22nd
Countries: USA VS. Portugal
Theme: Field Blends
Results - USA 3, Portugal 3

Match 5: Monday, June 23rd
Countries: Australia VS. Spain
Theme: Budget Whites
Results - Australia 1, Spain 5

Match 6: Thursday, June 26th
Countries: USA VS. Germany
Theme: Riesling
Results - USA 3, Germany 3

Knockout Stage:

TBD - Upon advancement of wine producing nations.

Try This, Cellar That - BC Pinot Noir

This week we showcase BC Pinot Noir:

Try This...

Black Cloud 2012 Fleuvage Pinot Noir - $25
The 'Fleuvage' could be considered the younger sister, or perhaps, the understudy, to Black Cloud's showcase Pinot Noir 'Altostratus'. Overall, the wine represents its terroir admirably; a youthful vineyard along the Naramata Bench. Enjoy the Fleuvage as you wait for your Altostratus to mature.
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Cellar That...

Black Cloud 2011 Altostratus Pinot Noir - $35
Where its younger sister is 'subtle', the Altostratus is 'supple' with a lush, harmonious expression of BC Pinot Noir that combines a sweet-scented, joyous nose of ripe red fruit, pot-pourri and spice aromas with a well-balanced, red fruit'n'earth palate structured by fine tannins and fresh, alpine berry acidity. Give this beauty another year in the bottle for further integration.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca