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TASTING NOTES | WINE SEARCH | ARTICLES | VIDEO
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The Future is Now
The wine industry is at risk, not from hard seltzer or the anti-alcohol lobby, but from the climate crisis. This won't change wine as we know it, this is a potential extinction event. We need only look at the last week. Wildfires in the Okanagan Valley, devastating floods in the Ahr, Germany. In Napa, wineries that were fortunate enough to survive last year's fires, are now left with no insurance. We need to take serious action - now. It's a bleak introduction to this month's newsletter. Hopefully, our coverage serves as a reminder that there's so much worth saving. ~GM
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FRIND ESTATE WINERY - EPISODE 2: THE TECHNOLOGY
In the second of three episodes exploring the Frind Estate Winery, senior winemaker Eric von Krosigk explains how its cutting-edge technology will bolster the quality of every wine in the portfolio – regardless of price.
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TOP 10: BC PINOT NOIR
British Columbia pinot noir producers are stepping up to fill the growing void for high-quality, affordable pinot noir in our market.
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URBAN WINERIES HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE
Both Church and State and Township 7 have wisely decided to refocus their city operations to complement their Okanagan-based wineries.
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TOP 10: ONTARIO CHARDONNAY
Chardonnay may be Canada's best-performing grape from coast-to-coast and our Treve Ring reviews some of Ontario's best.
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CHEESE: A GLOSSARY
Like wine, cheese has a distinct set of terms that relay specific information about its formation and have little to do with its taste. This month resident expert Allison Spurrell defines Geotrichum.
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WHAT WE'RE DRINKING
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ANTHONY
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| 91/100 |
| Bodega Garzón Albariño Reserva 2021 |
| Garzon, Maldonado, San José, Uruguay |
| Albarino has been the flagship white since the start at Garzon, with minor fine-tuning along the way, namely additional skin contact to better express the salinity of the soil thanks to the nearby Atlantic ocean. Look for a brilliant pale yellow/greenish colour and a fresh aromatic seaside nose with peach and light citrus pith streaks on the palate. The attack is fresh and full of minerality. In all, a delightfully crisp testament to the site and elegant wine growing and winemaking. Fine value and ridiculous you can't buy this in government stores. |
| CLICK HERE FOR AVAILABILITY |
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TREVE
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| 91/100 |
| Fitapreta Branco 2019 |
| Alentejo, Central and Southern Portugal, Portugal |
| From lauded winemaker Antonio Maçanita (2020 winemaker of the year in Portugal), this blend of roupeiro, rabo de ovelha, antão vaz, tamarez, alicante branco, and arinto are sourced from Alentejo's granitic soils, and vines from 30-50 years, up to 400m in altitude. After a native ferment in stainless barrels, this remained there on lees for six months prior to bottling. Ripe and generous with quince, yellow apple, beeswax stretched along a stony lees-bedded palate. This finishes with a lingering stoniness. Exceptional value in Ontario; less so here in BC. |
| CLICK HERE FOR AVAILABILITY |
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DJ
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| 92/100 |
| Emiliana Coyam 2018 |
| Valle del Colchagua, Region del Valle Central, Chile |
| This well-proportioned sleek and seamless red is one of the best value wines out there, even at $29.99. Biodynamically farmed and certified organic, it is an intriguing blend of 42% syrah and 39% carmenere with smidges of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, garnacha, petit verdot, carignan, tempranillo, and mourvèdre from a superb site in the rich silt clay soils of Colchagua. Coyam presents classic Chileano aromas of black olive, cassis, violet, cocoa, and the definitive heady menthol scent of eucalyptus. It's ripe and mouthfilling, but most importantly has the archetypal suave balance of fruit, acid, and tannin that defines Chilean wine. Coyam ages effortlessly (verticals I have tasted attest to this) and will adorn a grilled porterhouse with power and grace. |
| CLICK HERE FOR AVAILABILITY |
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GEOFFREY
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| 90/100 |
| Peter Lehmann The Barossan Shiraz 2018 |
| Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia |
| This is sourced from vineyards across the different sub-regions of the Barossa Valley to produce, in their words, THE Barossan. I liked the previous vintage, and the 2018 is even better. There's more definition to the fruit, combining ripe blackberry and blueberry that's complemented by white pepper and sweet spices. The oak seems dialled down this vintage, or at least more fully integrated. There's a lot to like here, in a classic Barossa shiraz at a steal of a price. Perfect served lightly chilled and poured alongside BBQ. |
| CLICK HERE FOR AVAILABILITY |
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REAL WINE
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WHAT IS REAL WINE?
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| Las Moradas de San Martin Albillo Real 2019 |
| Vinos de Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain |
| Established in 1999, Las Moradas de San Martín was established to recover the centuries-old vineyards of Garnacha that had been cultivated there since the 12th century. Located in the hilltops of Pago de los Castillejos, they benefit from its altitude and granitic / volcanic soils, imbuing a natural freshness and minerality. Winemaker Isabel Galindo farms organically / biodynamically. This is entirely Albillo Real, destemmed and native fermented, with 1/4 MLF, aged 6 months in 300 and 500 L French barrels. Very earthy and savoury, concentrated with meadow grasses, crushed stone, and ample chalkiness, structured through time in barrel that is easily absorbed into the fruit, imparting an easy, confident creaminess to the medium body. Acacia florals, wild orange, marcona almonds are woven throughout the profound minerality. Acidity is moderate, and the finish lingers with a stony memory. Worth seeking out. |
| CLICK HERE FOR AVAILABILITY |
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COMMUNITY
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BC WINE & FOOD TRUCK FEAST
AUGUST 7
Taste over 40 wines from the Okanagan and pair them with small plates from local food trucks at Kelowna's Okanagan Mission Community Hall.
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APPLE TREE DINNER
SEPTEMBER 10
This multi-course meal is set at the Similkameen's Rustic Roots Winery, under a 105-year-old Snow Apple tree, and includes cider and wine pairings.
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WINEMAKER’S DINNER SERIES
AUGUST & SEPTEMBER
Victoria's Oak Bay Beach Hotel is hosting winemakers from Unsworth, Kettle Valley, Martin's Lane, and Fitzpatrick over the next two months as part of their Winemaker's Dinner Series.
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WEDNESDAY MARKET
EVERY WEDNESDAY
This summer, Oliver's District Wine Village is hosting a Wednesday Market on their crushpad to support local artists, growers, crafters, culinary artisans, and entrepreneurs.
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HANDSORTED NEWS
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Here’s what we’ve been reading and watching over the last month:
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| HOW DO WOMEN CONNECT IN A CHANGING WINE INDUSTRY? |
| LANA BORTOLOT |
| RANDALL GRAHM JOINS FORCES WITH GALLO FOR A NEW WINE PROJECT |
| AARON ROMANO |
| DESTRUCTION IN THE AHR VALLEY |
| MICHAEL SCHMIDT |
| A BOLIVIAN ADVENTURE |
| JANCIS ROBINSON MW |
SCORCHED, PARCHED AND NOW UNINSURABLE:
CLIMATE CHANGE HITS WINE COUNTRY |
| CHRISTOPHER FLAVELLE |
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