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y Bruce Stephen
After a long winter of dreary
weather, full-bodied wines and
comfort foods, many of us are
yearning for everything spring – not just
the weather and wardrobe – but lighter
meals and fresh, crisp wines. The days
are getting longer, there’s warmth in the
sun and flowers are blooming, allowing
for occasional patio dining. There is no
better way to celebrate spring than with a
light, refreshing glass of fine BC wine.
BriTiSh columBiA
ProducES mANy
fABulouS World-clASS
WiNES iN All cATEgoriES
BuT NoNE BETTEr ThAN
WiNES for SPriNg.
Wine choices shouldn’t be about
fashion or trend, but it is perfectly
reasonable to try new wines when
the season changes. Spring embodies
rejuvenation and lighter, more
invigorating dishes like fresh salads,
herbs and spring vegetables. These
should be paired with young, light, easydrinking
wines like Sauvignon Blancs,
dry or off-dry Rieslings, Pinot Blancs,
Pinot Gris, dry rosés or light reds.
Sauvignon Blanc is a perennial
favourite. The grape is naturally high in
acidity and has a backbone of citrus fruit
that makes it a wonderful partner for
many spring dishes. It’s rich and fruity
so it can also be enjoyed on its own.
Pinot Gris is the consummate deck wine
and, because of its early ripening, the
Pinot Gris grape is ideally suited to BC’s
shorter growing season. Look for crisp,
clean, refreshing aromas and flavours
ideal for sipping. Riesling, another
spring classic, is considered by many to
be one of the world’s great white wine
grapes. Fortunately, British Columbians
need not look any further than their
own backyard for world-class Rieslings.
This versatile, food-friendly wine has
natural floral aromas with apple, pear,
peach and tropical fruit elements. Its
high levels of acidity and sugar make it
easy to pair with a large variety of spring
dishes. Pinot Blanc is a lesser-known
grape, sometimes overshadowed by other
white varietals, so if you haven’t tasted
a BC Pinot Blanc recently this spring
is the perfect time. Pinot Blanc has
lively acidity, a refreshing crispness and
appealing body and goes very well with
spring cuisine such as a fresh, grilled
chicken salad or shellfish. Round, full
and elegant, Pinot Blanc features some
citrus but also flavours of apple, pear, a
hint of mineral, some herb notes and a
pleasing, crisp finish.
What about pink for spring? A
brilliant, bright, dry rosé is fun, fresh,
crisp and very versatile with foods. Rosé
is made from red-skinned grapes, but
the skins are removed from the pressed
juice after a short period, rather than left
in contact throughout fermentation, as
with reds. As grape skins contain much
of the colour and strongly flavoured
MiSSion Hill rESErvE
Sauvignon BlanC
Bc vQA $18.99 388629
This is a wonderful white
wine that boasts fresh,
floral, mineral and citrus
aromas. The palate is crisp
and dry with more citrus
and additional flavours of
pineapple, passion fruit and
okanagan peaches. Pair
this top-notch Bc white
with shellfish or soft, fullflavoured
cheeses.
rEd rooStEr
pinot BlanC
Bc vQA $15.99 103044
This is a beautifully refreshing
spring wine. it has clean,
crisp pear, apple and citrus
aromas and flavours with
additional mineral notes on
the palate, it's perfect with
grilled chicken or shellfish.
Well done!
gray MonK pinot griS
Bc vQA $16.99 118638
This is a lovely spring white
with enticing spicy, smoky,
floral and tree fruit aromas.
The palate offers spicy apple
and pear with a hint of honey
and citrus in the finish. Enjoy
this delightful white with
grilled fish, pork or chicken.
TASTE 89
FOCUS BC