Other - New World

Saanich Peninsula, Vancouver Island

$15 for 750ml bottle

Even though the weather of late would seem otherwise, it is still winter. Apples are one of the few local fruits that are available through February in BC.  Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse knows all about apples, growing organic heritage apples for their traditional, English-style ciders.  The apples in this (very coolly named!) cider however are not all grown on their oceanfront site, but from Victoria’s backyards, in partnership with LifeCycles (see below).  

Local Kings and Northern Spies make up the bulk of the blend in this gently effervescent cider.  A muted sweet pear nose leads to creamy apple, crisp pear and nutty flavours and mellow acidity. We enjoyed this with grilled pork chop and mashed yams. Bonus points for the hefty glass resealable  bottles. Website

* LifeCycles is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating awareness and initiating action around food, health, and urban sustainability in the Greater Victoria community that promotes food education. They work proactively to promote and create personal, shared and community gardens, research, and educational activities and youth skills development programs.  Every year they organize volunteers to pick unwanted tree fruits from Victoria’s backyards for use in packaged product, or to feed the lesser fortunate. Website

** and a half stars

By Treve Ring – online wine editor

WHAT OUR RATINGS MEAN

*          Basic drinkable, uncomplicated plonk

**       Good example of varietal type.  

***     Very good quality, represents the regional style/terroir, worth seeking out. Recommended

****   Exceptional, above average, top of class. Highly Recommended

***** Among the top wines in the world. Worth traveling for. What are you waiting for? Buy it right now!

Okanagan Valley

$35-40 for 200ml, $60-65 for 375ml

This was such an easy choice for this week. Why?  Because Inniskillin Icewine dominance is realized worldwide. Because the company’s icewine was selected by Oprah Winfrey as a Valentine’s Day suggestion this year.  Because it was served to accompany the dessert course at the Nobel Prize dinner at which president Obama received his Peace Prize in December 2009.  Because here, on the eve of the Winter Olympics and the world’s attention on BC, we should recognize Canada’s famous contribution to the wine world.  Because Valentine’s Day is next weekend.  And most important - because it’s delicious!  

Ripe peach and apricot aromas lead to rich flavours of juicy pear, orange, apple and intense apricot. Lush and tropical – with a bright Riesling acidity to balance out the incredible creamy sweetness.  

This precious elixir was made from hand harvested Riesling grapes naturally frozen on the vine from highly regarded Dark Horse Vineyard.  Only a few drops of highly concentrated juice come from each frozen bunch. This particular vintage was harvested on New Year’s Day, 2008. We’re spoiled in B.C. with a climate suitable for annual icewine production.  For the majority of the globe, icewine is a rare delicacy.  

The conditions required to produce icewine are harsh, regulated and strict – in a nutshell: grapes must be frozen naturally on the vine at a minimum temperature of -8 degrees celcius, for a minimum of 4 hours and at least 35 Brix sweetness.  The grapes must be picked and pressed immediately – usually in the vineyard (don’t forget it’s below freezing!).  I’d say that easily deserves a gold medal. 

Website

*** and a half stars

By Treve Ring – online web editor

WHAT OUR RATINGS MEAN

*          Basic drinkable, uncomplicated plonk

**       Good example of varietal type.  

***     Very good quality, represents the regional style/terroir, worth seeking out. Recommended

****   Exceptional, above average, top of class. Highly Recommended

***** Among the top wines in the world. Worth traveling for. What are you waiting for? Buy it right now!

Russell Gelling manager at the 6 Mile Liquor Store shares this summer favourite with us:

"Salmon is not just a BC fish. This salmon coloured pinot gris has had just the right amount of skin contact to boost the body with added fruit flavours of peach, berry and stone fruits. Added mineral and citrus notes on the finish only make this wine even more complex. The winemaker also voided the harsh tannins that some roses show, leaving us with a clean fresh summer patio wine. Drink with your favourite BC coastal shellfish or citrus grilled salmon."

Now available in select retailers.

Russell Gelling, the 6 Mile Liquor Store Manager, shares this summer favourite with us:

"Salmon is not just a BC fish. This salmon coloured pinot gris has had just the right amount of skin contact to boost the body with added fruit flavours of peach, berry and stone fruits. Added mineral and citrus notes on the finish only make this wine even more complex. The winemaker also voided the harsh tannins that some roses show, leaving us with a clean fresh summer patio wine. Drink with your favourite BC coastal shellfish or citrus grilled salmon."

Now available in select retailers.

Tristan Gill from Mattick's Farm VQA shares this current favourite with EAT readers:

"From Kelowna's St. Hubertus and Oak Bay Vineyards, this effervescent rose is truly Summer in a glass. Light berry notes combine with a subtle sparkle to create the ultimate patio wine. This versatile wine can be served chilled on its own or as an aperitif. Furthermore it will make the perfect compliment for grilled halibut or salmon and a mixed green salad. This unique wine is a fabulous value at under $16."

Russell Gelling of 6 Mile Liquor Store shares this current favourite with EAT's online readers:

"This is the perfect summer wine. A rose with a difference, this vintage is much deeper in colour then most including previous vintages from joie and is a blend of four grape varieties. By blending Pinot Noir, Gamay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Gris they have given life to a mid-pallet rose with huge flavours of strawberry, rhubarb, cherry and spice and just a slight sweetness. This vintage is perfection and will be hard to repeat so buy if you see it."

Available in select liquor stores. CSPC +551469 Price $20.90-$25.00. For more information about Joie Farm wines, click here.

Image: Joie Farmer planting by hand, from the Joie Farm website.