Wine Guy: Back to wine school

Article content

The start of September will forever be associated with back to school, whether you graduated last year or 40 years ago. So in the spirit of new beginnings, this feels like the perfect week to rekindle an interest in expanding wine knowledge. Or, thanks to the help of these three B.C. bottles, at least review a few basic tenets of wine education as we go back to wine school.

See Ya Later Ranch 2024 Gewürztraminer, crafted in B.C.

($19.99, #365679)

One amazing aspect of wine appreciation is that wine invokes all the senses. Sure taste is key, but a wine’s overall flavour is enhanced by its smells, sights, and how it touches the palate  — toss in sound as well when you crack open that bottle of bubbly. An engagingly aromatic wine like Gewürztraminer helps drive home this overall sensory evaluation. See Ya Later’s latest vintage of Gew — made at their winery using Washington-grown grapes — is a riot of floral and tropical fruit aromas, with a juicy mouth feel and a soft, fruity and off-dry finish that calls out to be paired with canapés or Thai curry. 

Bottom line: B, Picnic ready.

Liquidity 2024 Rosé of Pinot Noir, crafted in B.C.

($30, available through the winery and select private wine stores)

What can we learn from a wine’s colour? Well, first consider how a wine obtains its colour: grape skins provide wine its pigment. Juice soaked among purple grape skins ends up red, but hues are also dependant on how long the grape juice stays in contact with the skins. Rosé, like this bottle of “Rosé of  100 per cent Pinot Noir,” may see skin contact ranging from hours to a few days. Liquidity’s latest Rosé — made in the Okanagan from Oregon grapes — pours a beautiful bright pink while wafting red berry and herbal notes in a vibrant style overall with a refreshing finish.

Bottom line: B+, Great with anything off the grill.

Bartier Bros. 2022 Cabernet Franc, B.C.

($29.99, #993139)

Complementing a wine’s aromas and colour is its mouth feel, or texture in the mouth, which is commonly referred to as the body of a wine. Whether a wine is light- or full-bodied depends on many factors, from the type of grapes used to the winemaking process. For a fun example of a richer, full-bodied South Okanagan red check out Bartier Bros. Cabernet Franc. Featuring aromas of black fruit and crushed flowers, it starts rich and toasty and stays bold throughout, concluding with a lick of spiciness on a long finish. It’s a fine red to finish off the summer and transition into fall.

Bottom line: A-, Serve with braised dishes.

The Swirl: LBA Art & Wine Stroll

On Thursday, Sept. 25 the Ladner Business Association is hosting the LBA Art & Wine Stroll. From 4-8 p.m., participants in this “casual adult-only experience” can stroll through more than 20 historic Ladner Village businesses, each location featuring a local artist showcasing work alongside wine tastings (non-alcoholic beverages are also available). Tickets are $40 and available online or at Camille’s Boutique & Gallery, and for complete details head to ladnerbusiness.com/ladner-art-wine-stroll/.