My wife, Kerry, and I love strolling the liquor store checking out what's new and exciting in wine.
On a recent swing through the Signature BC Liquor Store in Kelowna, these five imported beauties spanning France, Australia and Italy caught our eye.
All are new listings and new vintages to BC Liquor Stores, as well.
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– Taittinger Prestige Rose Champagne ($100) from France
The only thing better than the authentic stuff from France's Champagne region, is the authentic in pink.
This Rose bubbly is created by letting the Pinot Noir grapes used in the blend with Chardonnay to impart some colour from their skins during fermentation.
The result is a bright, fresh and velvety sparkle with aromas and flavours of raspberry, cherry and fresh-baked croissants.
Very French.
Very delicious.
And it comes in a beautiful gift box.
Pair with your loved one, any celebration, oysters, caviar or brie cheese.
– Pewsey Vale Estate Riesling 2024 ($25) from South Australia
The Aussies in this part of the country know a thing or two about Riesling because they've been growing it for 175 years.
This Riesling is lush and lean at the same time with an exciting lime, white flower and herb profile.
Drink on its own for happy hour or pair it with a creamy chicken dish.
This Riesling won a gold medal at the Perth Royal Wine Awards in Australia.
– L'Antico Amorini Rosso Vento Imperatore 2021 ($25) from Italy
In the northern Italian region of Vento, some producers will slightly dry the red grapes (in this case Corvina and Merlot) before fermentation to create a wine that's a little more concentrated, softer and sweeter while still drinking like a dry wine.
Therefore, this smooth red goes will all your Italian favourites from pizza to any pasta in a rich tomato and meat sauce.
– Vasse Felix Filius 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon ($33) from West Australia's Margaret River region
Robust, but bright, this Cab is easy drinking enough to drink on its own or pair with roast beef.
– Jim Barry & Sons 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon ($30) from South Australia
Dark and brooding with a blackberry, violet and baking spices profile.
As the Aussies say: Throw another steak on the barbie.
Taste Around
Taste Around, BC's winter culinary festival, launched this week offering special, price-fixed, three-course menus at restaurants across the province.
There are Taste Arounds in most regions from Kelowna, Kamloops, Okanagan and Victoria to Kooteneys, mid–Island and the North.
The fest runs until Feb. 8.
Check out: https://tastearound.ca/
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at smacnaull@nowmediagroup.ca. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.
