Summer is here! Celebrate the long days and short nights. Bask in the sun and in good conversation. Relax and enjoy a nice glass of wine. Winter was tough, Spring lingered... you deserve a sip of Summer. Here are our selections to make the most of your favourite Summer locals:
On the Patio
If you're in need of
some patio time and want to spend it enjoying a nice glass of wine then this is
the section for you. Chances are, even if your patio (or deck) isn't drenched
in sunlight you may still want a wine that makes you feel as though it is. Here
are some refreshing patio sippers for summer:
Stag's Hollow Winery 2017 Tragically Vidal - $17
An off-dry, delicate, delight of a Summer Sipper, Stag's Hollow's Tragically Vidal is as playful and joyous as its colourful label suggests. Look for subtle, aromatic notes of blossoms and pitted fruits; nectarines, peaches and apricots supported by a touch of herbs and some light citrus notes.
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris - $18
Clean, crisp and so refreshing, this blend of 60% Chasselas, 20% Pinot Blanc, and 20% Pinot Gris makes an excellent pairing for your next sun-drenched patio visit thanks to its cheerful, citrus and Asian pear scented nose and its mouth-watering, textured and lightly-spiced, stone fruit flavoured palate.
Monte Creek Ranch 2018 Riesling - $19
A white gold coloured Riesling bursting with intense citrus and green apple flavours and acidity whilst off-dry levels of residual sugar (8.9 g/l) mount an counter offensive to bring balance to The Force, though, somewhat failing short... this is not a Riesling for the faint of heart. It's an adventure, one best attempted on a hot Summer's day.
Winemaker's Cut 2018 Rosé - $22
An elegant rosé, in every way; colour (pale watermelon), bouquet (subtle strawberry shortcake) and mouthfeel (layers of strawberry and fresh peach acidity). Finish is balanced, though, a tad short with just a flash of citrus peel and spice lingering.
At the Cabin/Cottage
Enjoying a bottle of
wine at your own cabin/cottage or as a guest may include the following: sharing
with people you don't know, sipping in darkness, fighting-off mosquitoes or
sitting close to the fire for warmth. For this sort of situation you may want a
rustic wine or something that evolves in the glass - as you may not have easy
access to a refill. We suggest the following:
Stag's Hollow Winery 2018 Albariño - $20
Opens with an exotic nose of papaya, candied peach, kiwi, melon andcitrus aromas followed by a textural palate with a juicy, melon fruit-driven entry and a mineral-kissed, mouth-watering, crisp finish. Coming into its own with maturing vines and a maturing fermentation/elevage program in the winery. Can stand alone, enhance your favourute salty snacks or pair harmoniously with any white fish recipe.
Mascota Vineyards 2015 Unanime - $28
A hedonistic blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Franc, the Unanime shows lively, dark and red fruit aromas on the fruit-forward, expressive nose with notes of vanilla, sweet incense smoke and herbs in the background.
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Pinot Noir - $30
A well-balanced Pinot Noir with classic BC-Pinot characters of equal parts; brambly berries, savoury cedar and dried herbs. Smooth on the pretty nose and the fine-tannin, wild berry acid palate.
SpearHead Winery 2017 Pinot Noir Cuvée - $38
This Cuvée bottling represents the winery's best barrels of its many Dijon clones blended with an eye on elegance and depth. Opening with a youthful, layered nose of creamy raspberry, forest floor, huckleberry and sweet, smoky, BBQ Salmon crackling aromas. A full, yet, lively, dry palate follows with a similar mix of sweet and savoury flavours; dark cherry, cocoa, light smoke, vanilla and a touch of spicy oak and amaretto liqueur on the long finish.
At a BBQ
BBQ wines are a
capricious bunch. They must be robust to pair with the burnt piece of chicken your
uncle John cooks up and be flexible to match with the mystery sausage of
unknown origin on the grill. Big, bold, yet, approachable reds are your best bet. Here are a few
to choose from:
Doña Paula 2016 Estate Malbec - $18
A typical, fruity/juicy/fresh Malbec from the Valle De Uco in the Mendoza, but happily, with some smokey goodness on appealing, blackberry and violet infused nose and with beautifully integrated spice on the lively, black fruit dominant palate. A drink now Malbec, lacking the tannin structure for a long life, but a well balanced, food-friendly wine that would pair nicely with spicy, grilled meats.
Full Review
Rust Wine Co. 2018 Gamay - $23
A beautifully balanced Gamay with both playful andsubstantive characters; candied fruits, tangy citrus peel, smoky violets, velvety red fruit, caramelized onions, Christmas cake spices, mild licorice and plenty of body and texture. Should make an excellent companion to Summer social fare, especially sweet'n'smoky ribs or BBQ chicken.
Full Review
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2016 Merlot - $24
A solid Merlot for all occasions with a pleasing, fruit-forward leaning balance of ripe, dark berry, dark cherry, tobacco, Nutella and sweet oak and spice characters. Dry, full bodied and lively with light, fine tannins and the perception of sweetness thanks to the prominent berry and cherry flavours. Ready to go now with your favourite BBQ dishes.
Full Review
Fairview Cellars 2016 Mad Cap Red - $28-30
Fairview's Madcap Red is a blend of (roughly) 50% Merlot and (mostly) equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from contracted vineyards in the Southern Okanagan Valley. Though an early drinking wine with approachable tannins, this blend will hold and evolve in your cellar, should you choose to put one or two away.
Full Review
Kaiken 2015 Ultra Malbec - $30-32
A dense and dark Malbec, very 'broody' on both the licorice'n'cassis scented nose and the ultra-concentrated palate where flavours of black plums, blackberries, wild herbs and plenty of spice are supported nicely by dusty, fine tannins and wild-berry acidity.
Full Review
