Provence Marinaside epitomizes the blossoming of Vancouver’s food and wine culture —especially in matters of wine. As anyone who travels knows, especially when it comes to wine by the glass, this city is well ahead of most.

This popular restaurant on Vancouver’s False Creek north shore draws on a combination of storage techniques. They include kegs, bottles and one special, not so secret weapon.

Coravin: a boon to Provence’s premium wine by the glass program

Much of the credit for getting wine by the glass going falls to Raincity Grill, which pioneered the idea in Vancouver some 20 years ago. They would open any bottle on their substantial Pacific west coast list—as long as you ordered two glasses.

Raincity sowed the seed for the exception that eventually became the rule. Today, any Vancouver restaurant worth its salt has at least half a dozen wine by the glass options, if not more.

Provence sommelier Rachelle Goudreau and owner Jean Francis Quaglia in front of their impressive line-up of taps

However, these days Provence Marinaside can claim the crown for championing the most wines by the glass. Provence Sommelier Rachelle Goudreau offers a remarkable choice of 145 labels (give or take a drop) on any given day.
So, why drink wine by the glass?

1. Choice

   Not having to buy the bottle allows you to sample more broadly. Also, Goudreau makes up taster flights to order, from one to four ounce pours.

2. Wine by the glass = flexible food pairing

   What happens if your dinner date wants Joie Pinot Noir to go with their Sockeye but you’d like a crisp Bartier Brothers Semillon for your oysters? Done. Or, if you want to enjoy different pairings with your appetizer and main course? Done.

3. Discover new wines

   How do we expand our wine horizons? Other than heading to a tasting, there are few better ways than at the hands of a good restaurant sommelier. For example: Clos Cibonne Tibouren, a Provence Cru Classé. Soft and plush, earthy, peppery Tibouren (Goudreau likens it to “a meeting of Pinot and Syrah) is used as a rosé blender. And it’s excellent with peppery country paté.
   Who knows? You might even find your new fave, a deal of a house wine, or both.

4. It’s affordable

   You can spend a little or a lot, from a flute of Montelvini Prosecco ($8) to a glass of 1er Cru Burgundy, such as Latour-Giraud Mersault-Genevrières 1er Cru ($50), or Jadot Chassagne Montrachet ($35). But the point is that, even in premium wines, the opportunity to taste by the glass a wine that would set you back four to five times more, if you had to buy the whole bottle is very appealing. Goudreau’s list is smartly divided between new and old world, and her French selections in particular are well researched to offer a full spectrum.
   For the real deals and budget bites, check out daily Tappy Hour.

5. It’s sustainable: Wine by the glass is greener

   More wines poured by the glass means far fewer bottles used, far less breakage and spoilage—and less disposal costs. In short, every five glasses replaces one bottle. That adds up to huge benefits, from less storage needs to fresher wines—and an overall lower carbon footprint.

When Provence opened TWB (The Wine Bar), Goudreau started out with just eight wines on tap, along with a Vinotemp dispenser.

Part of an impressive facelift last year, the number of taps rocketed to 48. Also, the ability to preserve still more open bottles increased with the addition of a Coravin. It’s like a giant hypodermic needle that injects inert gas through the cork while the wine dribbles out. Coravin is a highly effective process: the wine remaining will keep up to several months.

“The expansion just made sense … we needed a good selection of French wines, so it was a natural progression, “ says Goudreau, who usually pours five ounce glasses but also obliges with taster flights of one, two, three or four ozs.

Building a Keg Culture

A keg of Bartier Bros. Semillon at Provence

Putting a keg in place isn’t quite as simple as it sounds, explains Goudreau: it takes about a year to organize from when first sampled, usually in a bottle. The exception is when wines might be customized or special blends made at the winery. That can bring added benefits.

“I need to consider that the wines I’m choosing are ready to drink,” says Goudreau. “Take Misconduct Merlot. They have 32 barrels in their reserve program. We tasted and chose a barrel that was luscious and ready—so we added 25 percent of a more structured barrel.”

“Ultimately, it’s about creating relationships with local wineries,” she says.

Provence’s best kept secret? Perfect Pairings: sample small bites paired with three different tastes under Goudreau’s guidance. Offered every other Thursday, for just $14. But you need to book ahead—and it sells out fast.

_______

A row of glasses above Provence’s keg storage

Even if you can’t make it to Provence, here’s a few worthy wines from their list that you can easily find for your own table.

• Joie Farm Noble Blend 2015. Joie’s flagship blend is mainly Gewurz and Riesling with Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, and a splash of Muscat and Schoenberger. The result is an aromatic wine with spicy and floral notes through a juicy, gently tropical toned mid palate and a zesty end. 91 pts. $23.90
• Bartier Bros. Semillon 2014. Even though limited, Okanagan Semillon is growing in popularity. Here’s one reason why: appealing citrus and mineral aromas, followed by balanced fruit and acidity with tropical notes and a crisp, clean close.$16.49 90 pts.
• Sables d’Azur Rosé. (Côtes de Provence) Good value, everyday drinking rosé blends Grenache, Syrah and Cinsaut for a burst of lively berry notes, some citrus and a hint of mineral in the traditional shaped ‘skittle’ bottle. BCLS $15.99 / 88 pts (‘2011)
• Rubinelli Vajol Valpolicella Classico 2014. Bright red and blue berry fruit with some cedar hints, lively, fresh fruit palate, bright acidity with medium body and pleasing tension through the close, plus good fruit acid balance. $22-25 / 90 pts
• Quinta do Crasto Old Vines Reserva. Perenially convincing polished example of the new era of Portuguese table wines. NR. $41
• El Petit Bonhomme Monastrell Garnacha Syrah 2013. Ex Montrealer Nathalie Bonhomme’s ‘feel good’ modern blend of Monastrell, Garnacha and Syrah delivers a robust red with black cherry notes and a touch of anise and oak that goes well with braised dishes or stronger cheeses. (2012)  90 pts $13.29

The post Wine by the Glass: 5 Reasons to Visit Provence appeared first on hiredBelly.com.

Harry McWatters is like the venerable Energizer Bunny…

Every time you think he might be done, he keeps on going. And it’s usually well ahead of the curve.

When Harry announced the sale of his unfinished winery and the Time Estate portion of the original Black Sage Vineyard, he said to “stay tuned” for next chapter. The other shoe, so to speak.

Today McWatters announced that his company, Encore Vineyards Ltd., has purchased the former PenMar Theatre Complex, in Downtown Penticton. The plan is to develop the property, under the Time brand, as the Okanagan’s first urban winery, with a host of wine related activities.

If the success of Vancouver’s Urban Winery is anything to go by, he’s on to a good thing. Urban Winery has grown to accommodate a host of activities, including a restaurant, craft brewery and function space, much in demand.

McWatters: Plenty of plans

McWatters purchased the Penticton complex after the PenMar Arts Society was unsuccessful in raising the necessary funds to sustain it. He plans to make good use of the 12000 sq. ft. structure which houses a number of small theatres, situated on 1/2 acre right in downtown Penticton, just three blocks from the lake shore.

“Right now we have plans for a fermentation cellar in nbr. 1 (the 26 ft. ceiling is ideal), and a barrel cellar in nbr 2. as well as finished goods in nbr 3. Number 4 we’ll keep as a theatre. The downtown community is very supportive of the arts society and we respect that,” says McWatters.

Harry also expects to have a crush pad in place “on the parking lot, in time for this year’s harvest.” It will be enclosed in due course.

“In keeping with the community’s desire to showcase local performing arts, ENCORE will maintain one of the theatres as a 75-seat movie, performance and event space for concerts, private functions and non-profit uses. Ultimately, this destination, multi-purpose winery, bistro and theatre will help to attract visitors to the area and assist with the revitalization of the downtown.” (From the release)

Within easy walking distance are a distillery and two breweries. The Time project should become a firm anchor for the area. (And it wouldn’t surprise me to see spirits in the mix, too, at some point.)

Says McWatters: “This shines a new spotlight on Time as it raises the curtain on the next phase. It’s a great opportunity to push the reset button.”

The post McWatters and Time March On — to Penticton appeared first on hiredBelly.com.

The Great New Zealand Wine Tiki Tour comes to town on May 5th—which is the perfect time of year. Spring has sprung and we’re just beginning to see much of the great seafood that pairs so well with New Zealand wines.

Every year the Kiwis roll into Vancouver with a different message. That’s because New Zealand has plenty to talk about. This year it’s back to Sauvignon Blanc—but not in a generic sense.

I don’t think you can underestimate the impact that New Zealand—and Sauvignon Blanc in particular—has had on our own wine culture. If you cast your mind back a couple of decades, almost everything we were drinking was oaked, seriously oaked. Then, in the 90s, the Kiwis started coming to Vancouver on a regular basis. Their more fruit-driven, crisp white wine styles proved a perfect match for lots of BC seafood. And their reds, especially Pinot Noir, offered a lighter touch than we’d been used to from other regions.

You can also thank New Zealand for driving the bus on screw caps: something that BC got behind big time, well in advance of most other places. We did it partly because we were so over corked wines. But mainly because of people like screw cap crusader Dr. John Forrest. He poured wines from identical batches of Forrest Estate, side by side, one under cork and one under screw cap. It was a convincing demonstration—and a perfect move to show off the freshness of New Zealand wines.

These days, thanks to the Kiwis, this side of the 49th parallel, nobody even thinks twice about twisting off a screwcap. Cork or Stelvin? It’s no longer even an issue …

Even though the country is far flung from Vancouver, I like to think of New Zealand as one of our closest neighbours, especially in terms of food and wine. Like the Okanagan Valley (except on a much larger scale) the country’s wine regions are aligned longitudinally over 1,500 km., providing an immense diversity of growing conditions and a wide range of contrasting terroirs.

The Great New Zealand Wine Tiki Tour (May 5th, 7-9.30 pm, at The Terminal City Club) promises a fascinating tour throughout New Zealand’s wine regions. Plus a chance to discover just how varied styles of Sauvignon Blanc can be, whether from Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay, Waipara or elsewhere. Even within the same region, styles are constantly evolving with different expressions of terroir, occasionally with degrees of oak influence and so on. Lower alcohol wines and sparkling are also on the rise.

The score of wineries coming to Vancouver represents the best of New Zealand. And, while Sauvignon Blanc is the main theme, there’s also plenty more…

See you there!

Tiki Tour Details and tickets

Participating Wineries
:

Ara Wines
 • Babich Wines
• Clark Estate • 
Invivo Wines • 
Marisco Vineyards
• Marlborough Wine • 
Matua Wines
 • Mud House Wines
 • Oyster Bay Wines
 • Pernod Ricard Winemakers • 
Sacred Hill Vineyards • 
Saint Clair Family Estate • 
Sileni Estates • 
Spy Valley Wines • 
Staete Landt Wine Company • 
Stoneleigh Vineyards • 
te Pa Family Vineyards
 • Toi Toi Wines
 • Villa Maria Estate • 
Whitehaven Wine Company • 
Wither Hills

The post Kiwi Connections: The Great Tiki Tour in Vancouver appeared first on hiredBelly.com.

Malbec World Day (April 17th.) is again fast approaching—yet one more reminder of the value to be found from the South American producer. While it’s true Argentina has built its reputation on Malbec, what might surprise you is that the grape’s popularity is relatively recent. In fact, we can probably, in part, thank Michel Rolland for kick-starting the world’s love affair with the variety. He consulted to wineries in Argentina back when there was little to no wine even exported.

Malbec is a crowd pleaser: its low tannins and fruit-forward approachable style often over-deliver for the money. And Malbec blends are also taking flight, especially with the evolution of plantings higher off the valley floor, as in Valle de Uco and elsewhere.
What’s interesting is that the grape used on its own really wasn’t supposed to happen. The variety used as a standalone was always given the cold shoulder, at least in some parts of France.

How come “l’épaule froide”?
Well, when you want to be less than complimentary to a variety, you can always call it a ‘blending’ grape. And that’s what Malbec was—and still is—in Bordeaux. However, in Cahors, they’ve known for some time (at least a few centuries) that they’re on to a good thing.

What to match with Malbec? How about a traditional Argentine style barbecue?

The Argentines have been doing well with Malbec for quite some time. Back in the 19th century, a French agronomist shipped some to Mendoza. And while the variety flourished there, it wasn’t until Argentina’s wine exports took off in the 1990s that Malbec’s true potential truly became apparent. The drink of choice was more likely to be Bonarda—or Fernet!
If there is a downside to Malbec’s popularity, it’s that Argentina’s other varieties—which also often deliver unusually good value—get lost in the shuffle. So, by all means, go ahead and make yours a magnificent Malbec World Day. But once it’s over, don’t forget to check out the likes of Argentine Torrontes, Syrah and Cabernet …
Argentina is rightly proud of Malbec World Day, and with good reason: they’ve turned an “also ran” grape into great value wines with a variety of styles depending on from where it comes, and, increasingly, from what elevation.

Good Malbec comes from all over Argentina, including from Cafayate, just beyond these amazing mountains in Salta

Where to celebrate Malbec World Day (early) …

Enjoy free Argentinean wine tastings at 5 Vancouver private wine stores on Saturday, April 16 2016.
Each store will pour at least 3 different wines paired with samples of authentic Argentinean cuisine. It’s a great way to taste before you buy …

Everything Wine – North Vancouver, South Surrey & Langford locations – 2:00 to 6:00pm

Legacy Liquor Store – 1633 Manitoba Street, Vancouver – 2:00 to 6:00pm

Marquis Wine Cellars – 1034 Davie Street, Vancouver – PLUS a DJ will provide music at this lively event – 2:00 to 5:00pm

Throughout the month of April, BC Liquor Stores across the province will host over 50 Malbec World Day tastings.

The post Malbec: King for a Day…and More appeared first on hiredBelly.com.

When Harry McWatters (pictured above in 2013) announced on April 1 that he had sold his beloved Sundial Vineyard and still unfinished new winery I wasn’t all that shocked. I knew it was no April Fool’s joke. I had visited the site just last month and was surprised to see just how far behind it was, considering the originally planned 2016 opening. In fact there was no work happening, as far as I could tell.
The only person I bumped into was Dick (Richard) Cleave, the acclaimed viticulturist and vineyard manager who consults to several premium properties in the valley.
As I went on my way, I thought it was strange there was no sign of activity.

McWatters the Visionary

I vividly recall standing on that 115 acre patch of  bare land, listening to McWatters explain to us why he had bought it. And how he was going to make serious red Bordeaux blends. At the time there were very few believers. But Harry was.
It was 1992—a mere couple of decades or so ago, a blink of an eye in wine terms.

Sundial Vineyard (image courtesy Time Estate)

McWatters and his partner Bob Wareham planted Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (as well as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon).
Within a few years, Sumac Ridge was making Black Sage Merlot and other wines which debunked the myth that no good reds could be made in the south Okanagan. Further north, Blue Mountain had been making excellent Pinot for a few years. But Bordeaux varieties were another animal.
Very little in the wine industry happens in isolation. Pretty soon, the entire valley was falling over itself to get those ‘big red’ vines into the ground. The stampede to the South Okanagan—which eventually saw McWatters sell to Vincor in 2000—was under way.
Fast forward to this past week, when McWatters announced he’d sold the building and 60 acre vineyard to an as yet unnamed buyer for an undisclosed sum. Harry says the reason that work was stopped was due to the lengthy negotiations involved in the sale.
Black Sage (the name now owned by Constellation) enjoys a degree of well deserved notoriety, so it should come as no surprise that someone, somewhere has dug deep to take over McWatters’ renamed Sundial parcel.
It remains to be seen just who. And what their plans involve. **
Oh, and one more thing. Don’t count Harry out too fast. In fact, don’t count him out. Period.

More details here.

Time Estate Winery, designed by CEI Architecture—as yet unfinished…

** In a telephone interview, McWatters said:

“The new owners are Asian, and focused on red Bordeaux … the company refers to itself as Bai Family Estates, and I do know that they have property in Richmond.”

“They made us an offer we couldn’t refuse … a substantial premium over the value of the property.”

McWatters also told me that the purchaser may want to modify the (winery) plans but still be ready for harvest in the facility this year. The vineyard will be his source of fruit and the winery his prime production facility.

He also emphasized:

“The real news is what we’re going to be doing in the future.”

The post McWatters Sells Time Estate Land, Building appeared first on hiredBelly.com.

Garagiste North has to be one of the more intriguing wine festivals on the calendar.
I regularly meet people disappointed in being not able track down wines from smaller wineries, whose wines aren’t widely available.
A few years back, a forward thinking group in the Okanagan sought to change that—and concocted a showcase specifically for those smaller players.
At Garagiste North: “The Small Guys” Wine Festival, you’ll find only wineries making under 2,000 cases a year. The name “garagiste” alludes to a small group of Bordeaux winemakers who—tired of being hampered by DOC regulations—took their winemaking ‘underground’, often as not in their own garage.
This ‘little festival that could’, which was first held in 2014, has turned into a hot ticket. The 2016 edition takes flight at the WISE Hall, April 17th, 2-4.30 p.m. (Some trivia: in case you don’t know, the WISE Hall started life in 1958, as the Welsh, Irish, Scottish & English club, a succinct reflection of the times.)
Move quickly if you want to go…
Even though that first festival happened only a couple of years ago, the grapevine has been doing its job: last summer the UK’s Financial Times named Garagiste North among “Five of the best: wine festivals”—held around the world.

The list of ‘rebels’ is longer than you might think. Some—such as BC Wine Studio, Black Cloud, Niche or River Stone—you may well have heard of. But chances are you don’t know Nighthawk, Anarchist Mountain—or most of those participating. Also on hand: ‘barrel’ (actually tank) samples of the first wine (white) made by Les Dames d’Escoffier.

What makes it so special? When you think about it, it was people like this who got the whole BC wine thing started, in its earliest days, when the only wineries on the landscape were a few commercial juice giants. That’s what makes this particular festival so unique.

If you want to taste; and hear it like it is from the folks who happily get their hands dirty at every stage, book in quick for this truly taste-worthy afternoon, which includes bites from Chicha Restaurant and music by Chicken Like Birds.

Tickets are $49 available on Eventbrite, with more info at garagistenorth.com
(Partial proceeds benefit Garagiste North Wine Study Scholarship at Okanagan College, which helps people in the community get involved in the industry.)

Garagiste participants Andrew Stone of Anarchist Mountain Vineyards (l) and Bradley ‘Black Cloud’ Cooper

Garagiste North participants

Anarchist Mountain Vineyard
Anthony Buchanen
BC Wine Studio
Bella Wines *
Black Cloud
Black Market Wine Co.
Cana Vines
Corcelettes Winery *
Forbidden Fruit
Kitsch Wines
Les Dames Wine
Marichel Vineyard
Marionette
Nagging Doubt
Niche Wine Co
Nighthawk Vineyards Phasion Estate Winery
River Stone
Roche
Saxon
Seven Directions
Symphony

*Pouring only at Penticton (Sept 17th, 2016)

The post Garagiste North: The Small Guys Wine Festival appeared first on hiredBelly.com.

Stag’s Hollow Winery, which was founded by Larry and Linda Pruegger, just outside of ‘OK Falls’ over 20 years ago, in 1995 has always intrigued me. Often as not, I find myself in awe of the perseverance displayed by winemakers and viticulturists. And in Stag’s Hollow’s case, that evolution has been truly fascinating. What intrigues me, in particular, is how this winery is so representative of the different directions BC winemakers are taking in seeking out lesser known varieties to see how they do. Although, in the case of Stag’s Hollow, they have plenty of experience with lesser known grapes …

‘Tragically, Vidal’

Stag’s Hollow Tragically Vidal

Surely, one of the Okanagan’s more distinct wineries, Stag’s Hollow was founded on a 10 acre vineyard which was home to the region’s largest planting of Vidal, that was being sold to a major winery to produce ice wine. The variety is better known in Ontario, where it remains by far the most widely planted white variety; and, indeed, is commonly used to make ice wine.

Early on, the Prueggers realised the challenge of selling Vidal; and became one of the first producers in the valley to depart from the traditional norms of conservative wine labelling when they launched ‘Tragically Vidal’. It’s a fun and edgy take on the idiosyncratic variety, and a nod to the fact that Vidal, which makes a beautifully expressive wine, was rapidly vanishing from the BC landscape under the wave of better known varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and, in particular, Pinot Gris.

Their experiment turned out to be a success, so much so that they wound up returning Vidal to rootstock on which they had previously grafted Chardonnay. The current release (2015) shows vibrant aromas of pear and zest notes followed by a luscious, juicy pear and tropical plate with good mouthfeel and just enough acidity to keep it structured. Think pad Thai or other spicy bites. ($17, 90 pts.)

Stag’s Hollow’s New Horizons

Winemaker Dwight Sick (above) who came on board in 2008 (after starting out with very reputable Pentage Winery, just up the way in Penticton) has worked with the couple to move the winery in different directions, most notably fine tuning and focusing on the more established varieties, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir; but also in forging a different path by boldly going where others have not.

Next time you’re in the centre of Okanagan Falls, take a detour

In 2011 Stag’s Hollow purchased land closer to the town of Okanagan Falls and transformed it into a vineyard on which it could focus on Pinot Noir. The soils, with the remains of an alluvial fan from the nearby namesake creek, suggested definite promise. But with Sick’s encouragement, they established Tempranillo and Albarino, as well as Italian varieties Dolcetto and even lesser known Teroldego. Early signs are that these were inspired choices. Dolcetto is grown in Piedmont in Northwest Italy, in a cooler climate setting not unlike where it’s planted here. Albarino also thrives in a cooler environment—although one thing that Stag’s Hollow won’t have to worry about is the moisture that can be a challenge for some maritime plantings in  northwest Spain and Portugal.

I was lucky enough to taste their 2015 Albarino last week (to be released later this spring) and was impressed by its intensity (helped by a touch of malolactic fermentation), citrus and stone fruit notes, along with layers of flinty minerality that suggest it’s a natural for expressing the terroir. (91 pts). It should also be a killer pairing with west coast seafood.

Dwight Sick (l) and Larry Pruegger in the home vineyard

Stag’s Hollow Tempranillo 2013

A truly impressive example of what this variety might be able to do: up front black fruit and tobacco notes before a well balanced, full and structured palate of cassis and black cherry, with spicy notes underpinned by good acidity, and a lingering end. 92 pts. $25.99.

Stag’s Hollow Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Grassy and citrus notes before on top followed by a pleasantly viscous, mouth filling palate with layers of citrus and tropical notes. $17, 91 pts.

Stag’s Hollow Renaissance Pinot Noir 2014

The flagship Pinot yields black fruit with cherry and plum, along with very good balance of fruit and acidity on a fairly full bodied palate with stony hints and a pleasing savoury edge. 92 pts. $34.99

Also coming soon, perfect for summer, a citrus and mineral toned, frizzante Muscat Ottonel / Riesling (90 pts).

If you’ve been to ‘OK Falls’’ the chances are you made a stop for Tickleberries ice cream. Next time, instead of just continuing south, turn off down the road to discover Stag’s Hollow and their neighbouring wineries: You’ll be well rewarded.

Plus, the chances are you’ll discover there’s a whole lot more growing there than you ever imagined. Welcome to the future of BC.

Stag’s Hollow: no shortage of medals over the years

The post Stag’s Hollow: The Power of Perseverance appeared first on hiredBelly.com.

Tasting Alert! This week the Vancouver International Wine Festival is upon us, in all its glory. Winefest is amazing: it’s rightly hailed as one of the best of its kind anywhere. Just ask the people who spend their lives going to these kinds of events around the world.

It’s also big.
For first timers, even just walking into the Acura International Tasting at the Vancouver Convention Centre can be a truly daunting experience.

It doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to make the most of those three hours.

1. Decide why you’re there

• Make a tasting plan. If you want to treat your palate gently, you can always start out with whites for the first hour before moving to reds. Or, if you like to mix things up, take a ‘bubble break’ half way through. Taste some sparkling wines. There’s a plethora of Prosecco on hand this year.
• Set a couple of hours aside to study the tasting room guide  (find it here under Festival News) before you go, and make a short list of your ‘targets.‘
• Focus on a region.
• Taste beyond what you know.

2. Track down the principals

One feature that has always set the Vancouver International Wine Festival apart is the insistence that a winery principal be in attendance. It’s one of the most undervalued aspects of the festival. After all, what could be more interesting, educational and, above all, fun than tasting with the very person who made the wine or owns the winery?

Here’s one of my favourites (back again this year): The ‘Prof’, Brian Lynn of Majella…

Train yourself to watch for the principals’ badges and make a bee-line for them.

3. Draw up a budget

If you’re planning to buy wine (and why wouldn’t you?) decide ahead of time how much you want / can afford to spend. Little known fact: if you buy a case of wine at the festival store you can have it shipped free of charge to your local BC Liquor Store to pick up later. And, should you absolutely fall in love with something to the tune of wanting a case, this year you can order it right at the tasting table without even having to worry about the store. Not a bad plan, especially if you find that perfect ‘house wine.’

4. Learn new stuff

Regional Tasting Tables: a good way to discover new wines.

The seven, specially themed Regional Tasting Stations are your best friends. Not only will you always learn something new, they’re also the most efficient way to compare wines and varieties from a specific region. For instance, the easiest way to understand Valpolicella is to head right to the tasting station. Then work your way through a quick flight of Valpolicella Classico and Superiore, Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto—from the likes of Bolla, Bottega, Cantina Negrar, Cesari, Monte delFrà, Montresor, Pasqua and Zonin.

Zonin Ripasso at the Valpolicella Tasting Station

This year’s tasting table themes are: Savour Australia • Wines of British Columbia • Chianti Classico • Organic and Biodynamic Wines • New Zealand Wines • Valpolicella • BC Liquor Stores

5. Eat before you go

Even though you’ll be spitting (see nbr.10), you’ll still be absorbing a fair amount of alcohol. Personally, I like pub food. A short walk from the Convention Centre, The TC Pub is a good bet (and fave hang-out for lots of industry types and their guests). Or head for the St. Regis and a plate of the Yorkshire pudding sliders.

6. Take cabs or free transit

Don’t even think about tasting and driving. If you want to avoid the taxi rush at the end, seriously consider spending time with your notes over a coffee—or cleansing ale.

7. Dress comfortably

Even though some people think it is, it’s not a fashion show. You are on a mission. Wear good walking shoes and loose clothing with lots of pockets or bring a bag for your program and tasting sheets you might pick up. Make sure your phone’s charged for those label pics… And make a note of what you like and why.

8. Step away from the tasting table

Successful ‘power’ tasting is all about being able to get around the room easily. Remember to make way for others as soon as you have your pour.

9. Don’t pollute!

Wine is as much about smell as taste. There’s nothing worse than being overwhelmed by someone’s aftershave or perfume. Make this a scent-free day, at all costs.

10. Spit!

Train yourself to follow a strict “Swirl, Sniff, Sip and Spit” tasting pattern with every wine you try and you’ll soon become regimented. And yes, if you want to make it to the end, spitting—everything, well, almost everything—is the only way to go.

Follow me @hiredBelly on Twitter and Instagram. I’ll be tweeting and posting my ‘finds’ at several tastings during the week. Many of those wines will be in the tasting room, so you can include them in your plan.

The post 10 Tasting Room Tips for Wine Fest Survival appeared first on hiredBelly.com.

Stone’d? I have to admit, I had a good chuckle at the package that accompanied a couple of new wines from Stoneboat Vineyards.

The Okanagan Winery has shed its conservative mantle in launching these latest labels. The Stone’d wines are well-made blends which will doubtless get plenty of attention.

In case I didn’t ‘get’ it completely, along with the wines was a pair of kaleidoscopic glasses. Put them on and you’ll soon be singing Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Wear them too long and you’ll walk into a door. Either way, a headache is guaranteed.

The idea behind Stone’d is to call attention to Stoneboat’s unique, rocky home vineyard. It’s at the gravelly end of Black Sage bench, and they’ve named it ‘Gravelbar.’

Maybe it is a bit of a stretch. But the in your face, ‘stoner’ reference could well prove more successful than the under-stated sketch of the stone sled that has adorned label so far.

Here’s another offering from Bernie Hadley Beauregard that’s sure to provoke a reaction. And that is precisely the point.

Stoneboat’s new Stone’d labels are a marked departure—and the start of a whole new image for the winery

Stone’d White 2014

The wine formerly known as ‘Chorus’ combines roughly equal parts Pinot Blanc, Müller Thurgau, Schöenberger and Kerner, with a splash of Pinot Gris and a dribble of Viognier.  This fruit driven blend sports upfront tropical notes, citrus, juicy acidity and touch of sweetness. Excellent value. Shows best when not too chilled. 90 pts. $18.99

(The first thing that struck me about this wine is that the label and dark glass implies it’s a red … while the Stone’d red wine label is blue. Then again, maybe I should have worn the glasses longer.)

Stone’d Red 2013

What a lot of people don’t know about Stoneboat is that the Martiniuks have likely propagated more vines in their nursery than anyone else in the Okanagan. Among them is Pinotage, the South African adopted blend of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, that can be a challenge to sell. (Although, Stoneboat has won a well deserved BC Lieutenant Governor’s Award for theirs.) This blend of 58% Pinotage and 42% Pinot Noir adds up to a nice balance, with the brighter cherry notes of the Pinot underpinned by the earthiness of the Pinotage. The medium bodied palate is plush and plummy, juicy with some restrained toasty notes and a lengthy end. Easy drinking and fun—like the label. 90 pts. $18.99

These wines (sold at private and VQA stores but not at the winery) are the opening salvo in an ongoing rebranding process that will see even more emphasis placed on Stoneboat’s stony site, and that almost every estate wine produced is Pinot based.

Stay tuned…

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Valentine’s wines? I’m always intrigued by what people consider to be a suitable Valentine’s wine. Pink seems to be a constant theme, which I guess makes sense. Hearts are good, too. And sex should be in there somewhere, hopefully.

Here’s a clutch of wines that popped out for this week’s column that seem to fit the bill.

• Etike ‘Blue Heart’ Pinot Grigio, 2014 (Sicily)

Talk about wearing your heart on your sleeve, how about right on your bottle? Here’s a cute Valentine’s thought (above): an ingenious, pretty, blue pottery heart (with ‘I love you’ in a few languages) doubles as a gushy label for this Sicilian Pinot Grigio. Apple and pear notes on top followed by a quite generous fruity palate. Fine as a sipper, with white fish or with chicken dishes. 89 pts.  BCLS $17.49

• Gotín del Risc Bierzo Mencia 2013 (Bierzo)

This Valentine’s label gets points more for cuteness and creativity than actual readability. Never mind. It is kind of sparkly and cute. Inside is a well made Spanish red (Mencia). “Gotín” in the local dialect means “a glass of wine shared between friends.” Bright berry fruit, Medium bodied with quite firm tannins plus spice and mineral hints. 90 pts. $17.99

The name says it all

• Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 (McLaren Vale)

Here’s a wine that’s much more than a pretty face, literally. From Two Hands’  edgy Picture Series. Full frontal Cabernet, as only the Aussies know how, with intense red fruit and floral notes on the nose followed by mulberry, black fruit and spice with a hint of mint on the plush palate, luscious, structured and lingering. 92 pts. $35

Valentine’s chocolate or not?

For better or worse, chocolate and Valentine’s Day are inextricably linked. For years, chocolates have been given as a gift—as a sign of love, devotion or affection. It’s an ancient tradition that has its roots in chocolate’s Aztec’s beginnings—although we can be pretty sure that Montezuma never paired his with red wine. In fact, he drank it, often in the bath.

Sparkling Shiraz and chocolate: in a pinch

• Steller’s Jay Sparkling Shiraz (Okanagan)

Another ‘in a pinch’ match for dark chocolate, with layers of black cherry and mocha notes under a fun and frothy dark crimson mousse. Pretty in the glass, and a definite crowd pleaser. 90 pts. BCLS $25.99

• Lanson Champagne NV Brut Rosé

Nothing says ‘sexy’ quite like a seriously good rosé Champagne. Besides that, if you can make it last right through the meal, it’s a pretty versatile food wine. This polished drop from one of France’s oldest houses sports pretty pale rose in the glass, with fine bubbles. The Pinot character shows through with red fruit, plus citrus hints, good acidity and a crisp finish. 91 pts.  $69.49 PWS / EW

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