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download pdf - BC Liquor Stores

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y Barbara Philip, MW, Portfolio Manager, <strong>BC</strong> <strong>Liquor</strong> <strong>Stores</strong><br />

THE FunDAMEnTALS oF EuroPEAn bLEnDS<br />

British Columbia wine drinkers enjoy a selection of varietal<br />

wines made from Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot<br />

Noir, Malbec and the like. Each grape variety brings a<br />

distinct colour, flavour and structural profile to wines that we’ve<br />

learned to recognize and appreciate. Lately, however, curious<br />

shoppers have been discovering that blended wines can often be<br />

greater than the sum of their parts. In fact, it looks like the next<br />

real trend might not focus on one grape variety, but rather on<br />

wines that are a blend of two, three or more. Terms like GSM<br />

(Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) or Meritage (protected term<br />

for some wines that follow the traditional blending practices of<br />

Bordeaux) are becoming part of the wine enthusiast’s lexicon.<br />

CHâTEau dE La GaRdINE<br />

châteauNeuF-du-PaPe<br />

France $54.99 22889<br />

Small percentages of Syrah and Mourvèdre bring<br />

depth to this Grenache-based wine. it has lovely<br />

earthy aromas mixed with ripe raspberry, plum<br />

and floral notes. The palate is silky and warm.<br />

QuINTa dO CRaSTO dOuRO<br />

RESERVa OLd VINES<br />

Portugal $42.99 489211<br />

between 25 and 30 different varieties are used<br />

to make this opaque, purple wine. The nose is<br />

intense with black cherry, mulberry and floral<br />

aromas. it is huge, ripe and mouth coating on the<br />

palate.<br />

Two thousand years of winemaking history has shown<br />

that many of Europe’s famous vineyards are best represented<br />

by blends. In France’s southern Rhône Valley, for instance, red<br />

wines like Châteauneuf-du-Pape are blends of several varieties.<br />

Grenache is a key component, bringing warm alcohol, soft<br />

acidity and flavours of spice and ripe, red fruits. Syrah brings<br />

colour and black fruit, while Mourvèdre offers structure and<br />

depth of flavour. Many other varieties are allowed into southern<br />

Rhône wines. This means each producer decides which mix will<br />

best show off his or her vineyards. Much rarer than the reds, are<br />

the exotic white blends from the Rhône, including such varieties<br />

as Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier.<br />

Formiga de vellut<br />

Spain $30.00 2725<br />

This wine is predominantly old vine Garnacha<br />

with some Cariñena and Syrah. it is full-bodied<br />

and ripe with blueberry, blackberry and spice.<br />

TASTE 41

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