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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>