“Old World inspired. Artisan winemaking. Handcrafted with a minimalist philosophy. Township 7 is British Columbia’s only urban and rural winery - with locations in the picturesque Fraser and Okanagan Valleys.  Our sustainably farmed, classic French vinifera vineyards are low yield and reflect the terroir in which they are grown. Our wines are meant to be enjoyed with friends and family.”[1] That kind of says it all.  With the production of some wines being as little as 55 cases (Seven Stars Sparkling) and as many as 1639 cases (Merlot), this truly is a small handcrafted producer.  You don’t have to be big to make great wine.   This is proven time and time again.

Famed Master of Wine and world-renowned wine writer and reviewer, Jancis Robinson, said this about Township 7:  “Certainly the wines show quite extraordinary directness of fruit; they almost punch you between the eyes with their frankness. And, like the wines of the deserts of eastern Washington to the south, they all have good natural acidity thanks to the Okanagan’s routinely cool desert nights.”[2]

Mike Raffan is the man at the helm.  Mike had a successful career in the restaurant business for about 30 years prior to pursuing his passion for wine and purchasing Township 7 almost 6 years ago.  (The winery itself was opened 12 years ago by Corey and Gwen Coleman.)  Bradley Cooper, Township 7’s winemaker, joined the winery the year prior to Mike.

Bradley started his career in the Okanagan at Hawthorne Mountain Winery.  From there he went to New Zealand and back up to Washington State before joining Township 7 in 2005.  The 2011 season was not the best year.  We spoke with an Okanagan winemaker this morning who said that they thought 2010 was not the best and then 2011 came around.  So what happens to fruit that doesn’t quite cut it for wine.  In a conversation with ‘Cuisine & Company’ in October of 2011, Bradley said that the grapes that were unsuitable for making wine were donated to Critter Care Wildlife Society and were gladly consumed by injured/orphaned bears and other wildlife.

Township 7 Winery is also involved with the arts community in a very special project.  Mike Raffan partnered with Robb Dunfield who is a Cloverdale, B.C. artist. Robb’s painting “Visions of Possibilities” was the artwork used on the label of the Dunfield Collection wine (a Meritage made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc).  Robb is a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic.  He mouth-painted Visions in a labour intensive, three-year process! There were only 200 cases of this special wine released and we are sad to say that none of it was available in Alberta.  However, we are happy to tell you that ‘partial proceeds from the wine will be donated to the Rick Hansen Foundation, in support of spinal cord research.’

We think it is about time that we try these wines.

Township 7 - 7 Blanc

Location: Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada
Blend: Gewurztraminer 45%, Pinot Gris 41%, Muscat Ottonel 14%
Tasting: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

With Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat Ottonel in the mix, you know that this is going to be a flavourful wine.  It is a touch off dry, but it has some nice acidity to go along with it.

Township 7 Tasting Notes:

“Off dry and exotic with tangerine citrus notes, pear and lychee in the nose. The taste is of pears, peach, mandarin orange, hints of walnut and some tropical spice. The finish lingers with yellow raisin and fig.”

Food Pairing:

Tuna Maki; Barbeque Pork on Rice (Kow Moo Dang)

CSPC:                   114553
Winesday Price:

$19.13 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$21.25

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Township 7 Merlot

Location: Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada
Blend: Merlot 88%, Cabernet Sauvignon 9%, Cabernet Franc 3%
Tasting: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

This Merlot was recently given a Bronze Medal and was named one of the best merlots at the Wine Access 2011 Canadian Wine Awards.  No small feat with over 70 entries and only 38 medals.

The winery says:

“Rich plum, chocolate shavings and spiced berry in the nose. Dried cherry, cola and leather in the palate. Superb finish with hints of exotic spice.  Great early structure.”

Now that we have some relatively mild weather, it is time to barbeque, my friends.  Well… not barbeque my friends… oh you know what we mean.

Food Pairing:

  Grilled Beef & Mushroom Burger;  Slow-Cooker Hearty Beef Stew

CSPC:                   735474
Winesday Price:

$21.60 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$24.00

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Next week it is:  Aussie Aussie Aussie… Oi! Oi! Oi!

---

[1] www.township7.com

[2] www.township7.com

Okay, so how magical does this scene look?  Sigh…  Richard and I walked down this street last year, but it was not bedecked with all the Christmas regalia in the month of June.  Can you imagine how beautiful this whole town of Eguisheim would look during Christmas?  It is nestled in Alsace and is just a stones throw to the Vosges Mountains.  All the beautiful half-timber homes… my oh my.  They are truly a sight to see.  It is a dream of mine to spend some time with Richard in Alsace before Christmas.  We just know it would be magical.  When we were there in 2010, we stayed in a charming little spot right in town called Hotel Hostellerie des Comtes.  The location was perfect.  We were about a one minute walk from the centre of town and driving distance to the other towns/wineries we wanted to visit.  Oh and the local bakery was just a minute down the road.  Writing this brings back memories of the smell of the fresh baked bread that would waft in the window first thing in the morning.  Meanwhile just up the road from us was Domaine Zinck.

Although the Zinck family has been in the wine industry for many generations, this venture was started by Paul in 1964.  His son Philippe joined him in 1997.  The Zinck winery started with only 2.5 hectares of vines and now produce their whole line of wines with 30 hectares.  “Respect for the environment” is important to Philippe.  Because of that, the Zinck winery “is heading progressively towards organic agriculture on nearly all of the surface area.”[1]

Paul Zinck Pinot Gris

Location: Eguisheim, Alsace, France
Blend: 100% Pinot Gris
Tasting: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio.  Are they the same or different?  They are the same, but like with all grapes, they will taste different depending on where they are grown.  Alsace produces nice honeyed-note Pinot Gris.  If you are used to drinking Italian Pinot Grigio, you will notice right off the get go that the Alsatian Pinot Gris is a little… let’s say they are a little fatter.   There is just something about Alsatian wines that makes them stand out.  Not only from the rest of France, but from the rest of the world.  They are a hidden gem yet to be truly discovered and appreciated.  However, you are going to get to discovered them this week.

TASTING NOTES* by Manuel Peyrondet - Best Sommelier of France, 2008

COLOR This brilliant pale yellow wine offers dazzling glints of silver.

NOSE The aroma before breathing is redolent of plums (notably greengage) and tart apples, mixed with notes of fresh mushrooms. Breathing provides both freshness and lightness. We expect a frank, lively, light wine. Slight hints of pepper round off the aromatic range of this Pinot Gris, which proves to be more subtle than many others of its kind, from an olfactory point of view.

TASTE In the mouth, the impression of freshness is confirmed by an ample and direct attack. The wine gracefully covers the palate, and charms with its volume. Perfectly dry in the mouth (a rare event with this varietal), the wine evolves with a delicate acidity and a slightly leafy note that gives it an even more streamlined body. The finish, still lively at this stage of maturity, is thirst-quenching while at the same time leaving a hint of smokiness.

Food Pairing:

 Lobster Curry; Whole Roast Pork Loin

CSPC:                   702457
Winesday Price:

$17.55 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$19.50

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Paul Zinck Gewürztraminer

Location: Eguisheim, Alsace, France
Blend: 100% Gewurztraminer
Tasting: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Yah Yah.  We know.  This is the grape that a lot of people have a hard time pronouncing.  Try this:  Guh-Vurts-Trah-Meener

‘Gewürz’ is German for ‘spicy’ and traminer means ‘coming from Tramin’ (a little town in Austria where the grape originates).  Our translation of the word is simple:  Dee Lish Us.  We love the aromas that come from Alsatian Gewürztraminer.  You can’t miss them.  They almost jump right out of the glass.  One might say that they are seductive in nature.  The Alsatian Gewürztraminer wines have a lot going on.  Oz Clarke, an extremely accomplished British wine writer and critic, says this about Gewürztraminer in his book ‘Grapes and Wines’:  “Those who choose to grow it do so because they love its richness and are prepared to accept low yields and relatively low returns.  It’s unlikely ever to cover the map:  it is not, and never can be, an all-purpose wine.  But with such and in-your face personality, how could it ever be?”

In Alsace, the grape represents about 20% of vineyard space.

Here are the tasting comments by Manuel Peyrondet - Best Sommelier of France, 2008

COLOR The sustained yellow of the wine is enhanced by golden tones.

NOSE The smell is the epitome of the varietal: generous, quite aromatic, it opens on notes of ripe pear, rose petals and violets. The full-bodied aromas of the varietal are strong and precise, despite some yeastiness due to its youth. The wine increases its exotic allure after breathing, with hints of litchi and peppermint.

TASTE In the mouth, the attack begins sweetly on a few grams of sugar that are as charming as the intense perfume. We appreciate the freshness of the wine, especially the measured balance in alcohol found here. The finish seems drier, and culminates on fleeting notes of roses.

Food Pairing:

Thai Green Curry with Beef Recipe; Szechuan Beef; Baked Ham with Marmalade-Horseradish Glaze; Roast Turkey

CSPC:                   702458
Winesday Price:

$18.89 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$20.99

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice
We are staying in France for next week to enjoy some wine and liqueur.

---

[1] www.zinck.fr

When it comes to Spanish wine, Torres is one of the most recognizable names in the industry.  If we were to swing back 141 years toVilafranca, Spain, we might have met Jaime and Miguel Torres.   1870 was the year when they started Bodegas Torres.  Today Bodegas Torres is still 100% family owned.  That is quite a feat these days when so many family companies have fallen by the wayside.

This is a family who lives and breathes the wine industry.  Their wines possess not only the fun parts of sipping on a glass of wine, but also they possess all the finesse as well.  Not only does this family produce incredible wines from Spain, but they also have winery interests in Chile as well.  Like their Spanish cousins, the Chilean wines are not to be missed as well.

Viña Esmeralda is a fun flirty kind of wine.  It is easy drinking and appeases the palates of many people for many different reasons.  It is a little off-dry, and the flavours are abound.

The Grape varieties are:  Mosacatel de Alexandría (85%) and Gewürztraminer (15%).

How can you resist this wine when it has a description like this:  “A voluptuous, exotically perfumed nose, with deliciously well-defined primary aromas (some floral notes, roses, lilies…), complemented by secondary aromas derived from the wine’s controlled fermentation. Silky and sappy on the palate.”

Food Pairing: 

Melon wrapped with cured Spanish Ham; Sweet and Sour Chicken; Shellfish

a href=”http://www.sherbrookeliquor.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/torres3jpg.jpg”>The name ‘Ibericos’ comes from the Spanish Iberian Peninsula.  The grape variety is Tempranillo, but in Catalonia, where it is grown it has a different name Ull de Llebrewhich means ‘hare’s eye’.

This wine is going to surprise you with its flavours and aromas.  It is aged for 12 months in oak, but the oak is not overpowering at all.  It brings out the best in the wine.  It still has a bit of zing to it, which young Tempranillos have.  As I like to say… it has a bit of Zip.  This is a very food friendly wine.  Experiment and see what you like to pair it with.

The winery says:  “Deep red cherry colour. On the nose it reveals notes of black ripened fruits and spicy aromas (cocoa and nutmeg) from the wood. Silky entrance in the mouth with pleasant tannins.Long and spicy aftertaste.”

Food Pairing:

Roasted Game meats; Grilled Pork Chops; Grilled Strip Loin.

In honour of Chinese New Year (2011 is the year of the Rabbit), we are sampling a couple of fun wines that go great with Chinese food (Thai food and Indian Food work well too!)

`People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.`

“The Dr. Loosen estate has been in the same family for over 200 years. When Ernst Loosen (pronounced loh-zen) assumed ownership in 1988, he realized that with ungrafted vines averaging 60 years old in some of Germany’s best-rated vineyards, he had the raw materials to create stunningly intense, world-class wines.”[2] Ernst halted the use of chemical fertilizers and instead used, on a very limited basis, organic fertilizers.  He wanted to see the wines develop to be the best they could be without a lot of technical or manual interference, so the cellars practices were changed to reflect the gentle approach that he believed would bring out the best in the wines.

He obviously found the secret, because his full cast of wines has been rated between 88 and 97 points in excess of 200 times by Wine Spectator Magazine.  The 2009 Riesling that we are sampling today received 88 points.  As we have said many times before, the geeky side of us enjoys reading what the ‘who’s who’ in the wine industry is saying about a particular wine.  The consumer side of us looks at it and thinks ‘consistency’.  Here are just a few of Ernst’s noted accomplishments:  European Winery of the Year nominee, 2007 & 2008,Wine Enthusiast; Man of the Year 2005, Decanter; White Wine Maker of the Year 2005, Wine International; World’s 50 Most Influential Winemakers, Wine & Spirits.

Ernst Loosen has taken his knowledge and philosophy to the new world, as well.  In 1999 a relationship was developed with Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington state.  Old world meets new world, if you will.  In 2006 Ernst took his love of Pinot Noir from the Pfalz region in Germany to another relationship with Jay Sommers of J. Christopher Wines in Oregon.  Ernst has also worked in a collaborative effort with Jay at J. L. Wolf winery.  We digress, as usual.  Let’s just get started on our first wine.

Winery: Dr. Loosen
Location: Mosel, Germany
Blend: Riesling
Tasting: Wednesday, February 2, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

We have done a number of tastings with this wine and we cannot tell you how many times we have heard ‘No thanks.  I am not much of a German wine fan.’  However, once they have tried this wine, the vast majority change their minds.

Yes, most of what we see in this part of the world are sweet German wines and yes again, this Dr. L has some lovely sweetness to it.  The difference is this wine has loads of flavour and nice acidity.  That is what makes this a very nice wine.  Now what difference does acidity make?  Well good acidity has a big influence on the taste of a wine.  Together with alcohol, sugar, minerals and the good acidity you will get a nicely balanced wine that just makes you want more.  There is nothing as bad as tasting a sweeter style wine and all you get is syrup.  When you have the acidity, yes you get the sweetness, but it isn’t all about the sugar.  It should be about flavour and balance.

This is one of the best descriptions for a wine written by the winery.  It is in my Top 10.  If this doesn’t make your mouth water, well, I don’t know what to say:  “The 2009 Dr. L Rieslingevokes a walk throughan orchard in the latesummer: luscious pear,peach and apple aromasretain the crisp sweettartof ripeningfruit just before harvest.On the palate, the medium-bodied wine is refreshing and juicy,with zippy acidity balancing bright flavors of pear, apricot,mango and lime. The lush attack is followed by a long finishthat is simultaneously sweet and tart, dry and mouth-watering.”

Food Pairing:

Braised Chicken with Smoked Ham, Chestnuts, and Ginger; Spicy Lemongrass Tofu;Peach-Glazed Baked Ham;

CSPC:     599274
Price:

$16.25 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Our second family winery comes from the Alsace region in France. The vineyards in this region date back to the Romans.  During the middle ages the Alsatian wines were so prized that they were some of the most expensive in Europe.[3]

The region of Alsace is located on the lower eastern slopes of the Vosges Mountains between Strasbourg and Mulhouse.  The wines in Alsace are completely different than any other wine in France.  Because it is right on the border of Germany, there is a very strong Germanic influence not only with wine, but also with food and other traditions.  You see because of its location, sometimes it was part of France other times it was part of Germany… depending who won a particular conflict.  But those cultural differences are a part of what makes this region so very special.

DomainePierre Sparr has been in the wine industry since 1680.  Through that period of times there have been many family members (9 generations so far) and many changes in the wine industry.  What has not changed is their desire to make wonderful wines no matter what happened.  In December 1944 the allied forces fought for the liberation of Sigolsheim (the home of Domain Sparr).  The town and surrounding vineyards were damaged severely.  By the spring of 1945 the whole of the Rhine-Haut area was liberated.  After the end of WWII, it took years of dedication to bring this region back to its glory.

While the rest of France name their wines mostly by region or terroir, in Alsace you generally see the grape variety on the label.  The wine law states that if you put the grape variety on the label, 100% of that grape must be in the wine.  Now there are other types of wine in the region as well, but this is what you see most often.  The most common grape varieties that you see in this part of France are:  Riesling, Sylvaner, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Klevener de Heiligenstein, Muscat, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir.

When Richard and I went on our trip last year I positively wanted to go to Alsace.  I have loved their wines for so many years, and I could not see visiting France without spending time in this region.  After some moving around of dates and the like, we travelled to Alsace.  Although Richard could not see how we were going to do it, he was so very happy that we went to this beautiful part of France.  We know that we will return.

This part of France is so gorgeous that it is hard to put into words.  These beautiful smaller villages are surrounded by vineyards too numerous to count.  Some of the villages that we visited were so incredibly picturesque and charming.  I tell people that it is like walking into a children`s storybook.  If you have the chance to visit Alsace, do not turn it down.  It will be well worth it.

Today we are going to try a blended wine from this region.  It is a great wine that you will find will pair with many types of food.

Winery: DomainePierre Sparr
Location: Sigolsheim, Alsace, France
Blend: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat and Gewürztraminer
Tasting: Wednesday, February 2, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Now many of you may say that you have tried Pinot Gris, or Gewürztraminer or Riesling.  However, if you have not tried these grape varieties from Alsace, you don`t know what you are missing!On top of that when you blend those grapes into one wine, plus add Pinot Blanc and Muscat, well you can only come up with a very enjoyable wine.  Those grape varieties make up the proprietary blend from Domain Pierre Sparr.

The winery puts it best: Alsace One is the expression of a harmonious assembling the best grape varieties. Explosive aromas of exotic fruits,and very floral One will amaze you by its richness, its intensity and its balance.

Food Pairing:

Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad; Szechuan Pork Tenderloin;

CSPC:     604413
Price:

$17.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Next week we are going to stay in the country of France… after all February 14^th is Valentines Day!

---

[1]www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/zodiac/Rabbit.html

[2] www.drloosen.com

[3]www.vins-sparr.com

Just an hour outside of Toronto Ontario and about 30 minutes north of Buffalo New York sits a beautiful region called Short Hills Bench on the Niagara Escarpment (a UNESCO World Biosphere) in Ontario.  The warm sunny days and cool nights are typical for this sub-region.  Those conditions are perfect to help develop intense flavours in the grapes.  It is hard to imagine, but this whole Escarpment area was carved out by ancient glaciers.  The Henry of Pelham Vineyards/Winery was one of the first to be located on this UNESCO designated region.

The Speck Family have owned and operated this winery since the 1980’s.  Paul, Matthew and Daniel Speck’s great great great Grandfather, Nicholas Smith, was deeded this land in 1794.  Nicholas’s story is an interesting one click here to read some of this history.  Nicholas’s youngest son, Henry, built the buildings that house the present day wine store. As well, he built what used to be the carriage house.  Pelham Road was one of the main roads going through this region.  When young Henry used to sign his name he wrote ‘Henry of Pelham’.  Hmmmm I wonder where they got the name for the estate? “With the premise that fine wine is grown and not made, we take low yields and tend our 170-acre estate vineyards with meticulous care.”  Henry of Pelham produces “small volumes of handmade wine… to ensure the highest standards of quality”

“As a family owned and operated winery we are dedicated to producing wines grown from the distinctive soils and climate of the Niagara Peninsula and most specifically the famous and well regarded Short Hills Bench.  We are fiercely committed to consistently growing and making only the finest wines by focusing on constant improvements in our vineyards and winery, low yields and wines that have true elegance, finesse and age ability.” (Paul, Matthew and Daniel Speck)

Henry of Pelham Baco Noir

Winery: Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
Location: Niagara Escarpment and Area, Ontario, Canada
Blend: 100% Baco Noir
Tasting: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Baco Noir is an interesting grape variety, but most people have not heard of it.  It has often been referred to as Ontario’s version of Zinfandel and Syrah.  It was almost lost completely in the 1980’s “when the government paid grape growers to pull out North American grapes like Concords, Delaware, Niagara and also the cold hardy hybrids so they could replant with vitis vinifera, or European grapes.” (Source Taste T.O.)  Some vines did not make the chopping block, hence Baco Noir being made by a couple of handfuls of wineries in Ontario today.  Just for a little added interest, two of the other hybrid grapes that did survive the axe were Marechal Foch and Vidal Blanc.

The winemaker’s description of this wine:  “Deeply coloured, spicy, blueberry compote flavours with natural currant and briar patch fruit.  Displays startling intensity that will increase in complexity over the next 5 years.”

Food Pairing:

Aged cheddar cheese; Roasted game meats; Beef with horseradish or mustard.

CSPC:     270926
Price:

$19.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Sibling Rivalry White

Winery: Henry of Pelham Estate Winery
Location: Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment and Area, Ontario Canada
Blend: Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewüztraminer
Tasting: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

“The idea that quality is connected to price - or that the lower the price the lower the quality - is an out dated paradigm for Sibling Rivalry. Blending wine from our estate vineyards within our exceptional appellation is the answer.” (Source:  Sibling Rivalry Website)

The Sibling Rivalry wines were recently poured during the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival in Edmonton and every time we went by the booth, the agents had a line up.  In addition to the white, the ‘Pink’ and the Red were also enjoyed by the Rocky attendees.  The cool funky label with a stylized picture of the three Speck brothers catches ones attention.  The attitude is fun and that is what the wine is meant to be.

The description by the winery says:  “Bright, white and out of sight; the triumvirate of Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. Long names and hard to pronounce, so we call this wine ‘White’.  Not just another single varietal wine-why choose one grape when you can have three? Think lime citrus and apple freshness with a dash of lychee fruit, in that order. As someone said at a recent event, “tastes like a sun-vacation”.

Food Pairing:

Grilled chicken; Light Asian fare; Baked cod.

CSPC:     126144
Price:

$19.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Richard y yo estamos echando en chorro apagado a España la semana próxima. ¿Usted habla español?  (Richard and I are jetting off to Spain next week.  Do you speak Spanish?)

I can still remember the first time that I heard of Tinhorn Creek Vineyards.  It was during a chat with a fellow Newfoundlander.  We were having a grand gab about home and then the conversation turned around to Canadian wines.  Peter was telling me about this Gewürztraminer from British Columbia.  He said that if I hadn’t tried it then I positively should.   He said that in his estimation it was the best Gewürztraminer in Canada.  Well, that sparked my interest for sure and I tried it that week.  It was pretty darn tasty.  That was at least 5-6 years ago.  Since that time I can’t tell you how many times we have heard people tell us about their visits to the Tinhorn Creek Vineyards.  People from Tinhorn Creek Vineyards have also travelled to Edmonton to share their love of wine with us.

Tinhorn Creek is located by Oliver, British Columbia.  Oliver is located near the south end of Okanagan between Osoyoos and Skaha Lakes.  Oliver is located just about 25 minutes north of the border between Canada and the U.S.  There is desert just south of Oliver and lakes, mountains, orchards and vineyards surround the town.  Oliver has the largest concentration of vineyards and commercial wineries in British Columbia.

The Tinhorn Creek winery took its name from a creek that runs above the property.  It was the site of an old gold and silver mine.  Back in the 19^th century the southern Okanagan region was known for its gold mines and silver mines.  Although the majority of the gold and remaining ore was recovered by early in the 20^th century, day miners still visit the area.

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards started with a 25 acre parcel and has since grown to 150 acres.   The proud owners are Sandra and Kenn Oldfield.

Sandra is originally from California and obtained her Masters of Eonology from University of California at Davis (UC Davis) in 2002, which is also the year she received her Canadian Citizenship.

“Kenn Oldfield has led the Tinhorn team since its inception in 1994.”  He was originally from Muskoka in Ontario.  He moved to Alberta where he received his B.A.Sc in Chemical engineering.  Kenn was in the Alberta Oil industry for 14 years before he started off on his new wine adventure.  “Kenn had taken all the course work for a master’s degree in viticulture from the University of California at Davis.”  He had the massive task of planting 150 acres of vines during a three year period.  He oversaw the building of the winery, an outdoor amphitheatre and the barrel cellar.  Since 2008 Ken has “stepped back from the general manager’s position” to take on special projects for the winery and you know a little leisure time is built in there too.

We are lucky to have over a dozen of Tinhorn Creek wines available in Alberta.  This week we are trying two of their wines… the Cabernet Franc and the Gewürztraminer.  All grapes for Tinhorn Creek wines are sourced from their own 150 acres.

“The 100-acre Diamondback Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench is planted with a mix of red and white varieties, primarily with Pinot Gris, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The 50-acre Tinhorn Creek Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench is also planted with a mix of red and white grapes, but primarily features Gewürztraminer. Farming their vineyards using sustainable practices allows Tinhorn Creek full control over the quality of fruit delivered to the crush pad for each vintage.” (Source:  Tinhorn Creek website)

Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc VQA

Winery: Tinhorn Creek
Location: Oliver, British Columbia, Canada
Blend: Cabernet Franc
Tasting: Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Cabernet Franc is a major red grape variety grown in many parts of both the old world and new world.  It generally is used to blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to create the wonderful wines of Bordeaux in France or to make a Bordeaux style of wine in other parts of the world.  Recent DNA studies have found that Cabernet Franc is actually one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon (the other parent is said to be Sauvignon Blanc).

Cabernet Franc has a thinner skin than Cabernet Sauvignon and it ripens earlier than its offspring.  It brings wonderful fruit to the mixture.  Although one does not see it on its own a great deal, it makes a great wine.  Cabernet Franc grows quite well in the South Okanagan.  The flavours are “intense herbal aromas with rich plum and berry fruit flavours.”

Food Pairing:

Barbequed sausages, Chicken or Hamburgers; Lasagne; Chili.

CSPC:     530717
Price:

$20.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Tinhorn Creek GewÜrztraminer VQA

Winery: Tinhorn Creek
Location: Oliver, British Columbia, Canada
Blend: Gewürztraminer
Tasting: Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

This can be a tough grape to pronounce (ge-Vurtz-trah-meener), but it makes some yummy wine.  From Alsace in France to California in the U.S.A. and Niagara and Okanagan in Canada, this is a favourite grape all around.  It can be made dry or sweet and is delicious both ways.  It is considered a very aromatic medium to full-bodied white wine.

“This Gewurztraminer is full bodied and vibrant with tropical, melon, peach, pear, apple, honey, and vanilla flavours. The aromas are similar to the flavours, but also include some spice and floral notes.”

Food Pairing:

Prosciutto wrapped melon; Spring rolls; Ham; Duck liver pâté

CSPC:     530675
Price:

$19.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Next week we are off to South Africa.

Pelee Island Winery is located on the Southerly most point in Canada.  It is on the same latitude as Northern California.  The climate is one of the mildest in Canada.  In fact, winemaking is not new to the area.  There is a history of winemaking there since the 1860’s.  Sadly the industry died out in the early 1900’s, but it came to life again in the 1980’s.  Thank goodness for that, otherwise we would have missed out on some very spiffy wine (technical terminology J). Map is courtesy of Norman Einstein

You know, in this industry we learn something new every day.  Although we have tried many of the Pelee Island wines, we did not know that the vineyards 550 acres make up Canada’s largest private estate.

One thing you will notice about the labels of Pelee Island wine is that there are various plants and animals on them.  The winery promotes the diversity of life on the island.  It is home to many rare insects, snails, mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians as well. But still many more stop off at Pelee Island on their travels south.  It is the meeting place of two different migration routes.  The island is a major stopover point for many groups of birds and insects on their way to their winter homes down south.

Take for instance the Monarch Butterfly, which is featured on Pelee Island’s Monarch Vidal.  The butterfly stops at Pelee Island on its long journey to Mexico.  Isn’t that truly amazing how that tiny winged being takes that long journey!  The Egret is featured on the Umbrella Gewürztraminer-Riesling.  The islands are home to one of the largest populations of nesting Egrets in Canada.  These are just two small examples of the diversity of these islands… not just in the winemaking.  The viticulturist at Pelee Island works hand in hand with the World Wildlife Fund with regard to their pest management.  This gives you just a small glimpse into how Pelee Island Winery takes care of everything on the island from the ground up.

Pinot Noir Reserve VQA

Winery: Pelee Island Winery
Vintage: 2008
Location: Pelee Island, Ontario, Canada
Alcohol: 13%
Blend: Pinot Noir
Tasting: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

They call the Pinot Noir grape the heartbreak grape.  It is a  very tough grape to grow.  As an example:  If the grapes don’t get enough heat, the wines can be very light and thin tasting.  If is gets too much heat the wines can taste more like cooked fruit.   When all goes right, however, it can make some of the most incredible wine and Champagne you have ever had the pleasure to try.  The price can vary from the teens to ad infinitum (infinity). Associated mostly with the region of Burgundy in France, the grape now grows in a number of countries around the world including our wonderful country of Canada.

This wine was matured for about eight to twelve months in European-style French Oak barrels with about 25 to 30% of the wine experiencing a malolactic fermentation (also known as MLF).   Why is that good and how does it change the wine?  The winemakers want to reduce the amount of the harsher acidity in the wine.  In order to do that, they will change some of the Malic Acid into the softer Lactic Acid.  This MLF takes place after the primary fermentation (during which the grape juice sugar is converted into alcohol).  The wine undergoes a secondary fermentation to change the Malic Acid into the Lactic Acid.  This not only reduces some of the acidity, but it makes the wine a little more balanced and palatable.  They also want to maintain the lovely fruit characteristics of the wine, so in this case only 25 to 30% of the wine goes through this MLF.

This is an easy drinking Pinot Noir and if people are just starting to drink red wine, Pinot Noir is a lovely place to start.  This wine is not overpowering, it is just simply pleasant.  You get some of the strawberry and other red berries, plus there is a wee bit of earth aromas in there too, and can be quite typical of Pinot Noir.

Food Pairing:

Turkey; salmon (broiled, roasted, grilled, or poached); grilled or roasted red meat; mushrooms (eg: grilled Portobello) and mushroom sauces; pork.

CSPC:     458521
Price:

$16.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice.

Umbrella
GewÜrztraminer-Rielsing

Winery: Pelee Island Winery
Vintage: 2008
Location: Pelee Island, Ontario, Canada
Alcohol: 12.5%
Blend: Gewürztraminer 50%, Riesling 50%
Tasting: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Okay, you have the best of both worlds here.  You have the Gewürztraminer and the Riesling.  Now I know that everyone thinks that there are basically two different colours of grapes, well there are other colours, as well.  The Gewürztraminer can actually be a pinkish colour. This grape ripens a bit on the earlier side.  The Riesling, on the other hand, is green in colour and it ripens rather late.  These two grapes make great wine all on their own, so bringing them together would bring out all the great qualities of each of them.

The history of Gewürztraminer  (guh-VOORTS-truh-MEE-nur)can be dated back to Italy near the village of Termino (Tramin) in Alto Adige.  It is considered to be an aromatic grape variety.  Now I know you are thinking that the name certainly doesn’t sound Italian, and you would be correct… it is German.  Gewürz in German is translated to mean ‘spicy’.  The grape is quite well known in the Region of Alsace in France, but can be found in California, Oregon, Washington, Germany (of course), Canada and recently New Zealand.

People think of Riesling and they think of Germany.  Though its history is a bit mysterious it can be said that Riesling goes back to the Rhine in Germany.  It too is considered an aromatic grape variety and brings a lot to the table when you get a whiff of the wine.  It grows quite well in cooler climates.  In Canada it is one of the grape varieties that we use for making Ice Wine… that yummy delicacy.

This Gewürztraminer-Riesling is considered off-dry, but it has a nice bit of acidity to it, so it isn’t going to taste as sweet as you would think.  There are some floral notes to the wine with a little honeysuckle and lychee and even a wee bit of rose.  The aromas of tropical fruit like mango are noticeable with some lovely peach, as well.   You will have fun pairing this wine with food.

Food Pairing:

  Baked ham; turkey; Thai, Chinese or Indian food; fresh fruit (especially tropical fruit); fish; pork.

CSPC:     738935
Price:

      $12.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice.

Next week Richard and I are heading off to Marlborough, New Zealand.  Come join us.