29.03.2013 Views

download pdf - BC Liquor Stores

download pdf - BC Liquor Stores

download pdf - BC Liquor Stores

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

y Bruce Stephen<br />

After a long winter of dreary<br />

weather, full-bodied wines and<br />

comfort foods, many of us are<br />

yearning for everything spring – not just<br />

the weather and wardrobe – but lighter<br />

meals and fresh, crisp wines. The days<br />

are getting longer, there’s warmth in the<br />

sun and flowers are blooming, allowing<br />

for occasional patio dining. There is no<br />

better way to celebrate spring than with a<br />

light, refreshing glass of fine <strong>BC</strong> wine.<br />

BriTiSh columBiA<br />

ProducES mANy<br />

fABulouS World-clASS<br />

WiNES iN All cATEgoriES<br />

BuT NoNE BETTEr ThAN<br />

WiNES for SPriNg.<br />

Wine choices shouldn’t be about<br />

fashion or trend, but it is perfectly<br />

reasonable to try new wines when<br />

the season changes. Spring embodies<br />

rejuvenation and lighter, more<br />

invigorating dishes like fresh salads,<br />

herbs and spring vegetables. These<br />

should be paired with young, light, easydrinking<br />

wines like Sauvignon Blancs,<br />

dry or off-dry Rieslings, Pinot Blancs,<br />

Pinot Gris, dry rosés or light reds.<br />

Sauvignon Blanc is a perennial<br />

favourite. The grape is naturally high in<br />

acidity and has a backbone of citrus fruit<br />

that makes it a wonderful partner for<br />

many spring dishes. It’s rich and fruity<br />

so it can also be enjoyed on its own.<br />

Pinot Gris is the consummate deck wine<br />

and, because of its early ripening, the<br />

Pinot Gris grape is ideally suited to <strong>BC</strong>’s<br />

shorter growing season. Look for crisp,<br />

clean, refreshing aromas and flavours<br />

ideal for sipping. Riesling, another<br />

spring classic, is considered by many to<br />

be one of the world’s great white wine<br />

grapes. Fortunately, British Columbians<br />

need not look any further than their<br />

own backyard for world-class Rieslings.<br />

This versatile, food-friendly wine has<br />

natural floral aromas with apple, pear,<br />

peach and tropical fruit elements. Its<br />

high levels of acidity and sugar make it<br />

easy to pair with a large variety of spring<br />

dishes. Pinot Blanc is a lesser-known<br />

grape, sometimes overshadowed by other<br />

white varietals, so if you haven’t tasted<br />

a <strong>BC</strong> Pinot Blanc recently this spring<br />

is the perfect time. Pinot Blanc has<br />

lively acidity, a refreshing crispness and<br />

appealing body and goes very well with<br />

spring cuisine such as a fresh, grilled<br />

chicken salad or shellfish. Round, full<br />

and elegant, Pinot Blanc features some<br />

citrus but also flavours of apple, pear, a<br />

hint of mineral, some herb notes and a<br />

pleasing, crisp finish.<br />

What about pink for spring? A<br />

brilliant, bright, dry rosé is fun, fresh,<br />

crisp and very versatile with foods. Rosé<br />

is made from red-skinned grapes, but<br />

the skins are removed from the pressed<br />

juice after a short period, rather than left<br />

in contact throughout fermentation, as<br />

with reds. As grape skins contain much<br />

of the colour and strongly flavoured<br />

MiSSion Hill rESErvE<br />

Sauvignon BlanC<br />

Bc vQA $18.99 388629<br />

This is a wonderful white<br />

wine that boasts fresh,<br />

floral, mineral and citrus<br />

aromas. The palate is crisp<br />

and dry with more citrus<br />

and additional flavours of<br />

pineapple, passion fruit and<br />

okanagan peaches. Pair<br />

this top-notch Bc white<br />

with shellfish or soft, fullflavoured<br />

cheeses.<br />

rEd rooStEr<br />

pinot BlanC<br />

Bc vQA $15.99 103044<br />

This is a beautifully refreshing<br />

spring wine. it has clean,<br />

crisp pear, apple and citrus<br />

aromas and flavours with<br />

additional mineral notes on<br />

the palate, it's perfect with<br />

grilled chicken or shellfish.<br />

Well done!<br />

gray MonK pinot griS<br />

Bc vQA $16.99 118638<br />

This is a lovely spring white<br />

with enticing spicy, smoky,<br />

floral and tree fruit aromas.<br />

The palate offers spicy apple<br />

and pear with a hint of honey<br />

and citrus in the finish. Enjoy<br />

this delightful white with<br />

grilled fish, pork or chicken.<br />

TASTE 89<br />

FOCUS <strong>BC</strong>

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!