White - Old World

Crete, Greece

$12-14

Is your resolution to spend less?  Be more adventurous?  Expand your vocabulary?  Well – do I have the wine for you!  While we’re facing the wet BC winter weather, let your thoughts and palate take you to sunny Greece. Even the vibrant blue label harkens the Mediterranean Sea.  

Boutari is the Robert Mondavi of Greece, with the winery dating back to 1879 and wine domination pretty much continually since.  Kretikos’ blend will most likely add some new grapes to add to your tasting repertoire: Vilana, Thrapsathiri and Athiri. This pleasantly simple white has wafts of peach and grapefruit aromas and a fresh palate of dried apricot, citrus and almonds.  Bright acidity and refreshing aromatic finish exceed the steal of a price.  Would be a lovely match to creamy cheeses.

**  and a half

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!

Kamptal, Austria

$19.95

Does our Wet Coast weather leave you in a funk?  Not feeling groovy?  One easy way to let a little sunshine in is with a bottle of this fresh and fabulous Grüner Veltliner [GROO-ner FELT-lih-ner] a.k.a. GV or GruVee. Clean, stunningly bright nose of citrus, minerals and apples leads to a crisp palate with lemon-lime and nectarine fruit, floral notes, and a tart finish.  Medium bodied, with a wafting hint of satisfying honey sweetness and racy acidity, GV makes for a very friendly food wine.  From spring rolls to shellfish to sushi to creamy cheeses, – or just enjoy solo and feel the rainclouds melt away.   GV is synonymous with Austria, where it has been cultivated since Roman times.  It is also planted in Hungary, The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia. It is also called Grünmuskateller and Veltlini, as well as simply Grüner. 

*** and a half

Reviewed by Treve Ring

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! 

The women of housewine, Michaela and Michelle this summer respite:

"The relentless beating of the sun demands something crisp and refreshing in return. South Africa is our secret weapon to stay cool. Good Hope Winery’s Chenin Blanc is a perennial favourite and we’re especially excited about the 2008 vintage. Delectable flavours of citrus work like a charm with salads of all kind or drink as an aperitif by the pool."

$13.99 (BC CSPC # 792143)

Farmstead Wines creator Anthony Nicalo knows a thing or two about sniffing out a good wine. This week he shares a rare favourite with EAT readers:

"Kisi is an indigenous white-grape varietal grown predominantly in eastern Georgia. This wine is fermented in clay amphora and aged in oak. Slightly oxidized and a lovely amber colour with dried stonefruit and a minty-lemon balm thing going on. When I am not drinking a Farmstead wine, I look for really interesting, offbeat wines that are sometimes hit or miss, but always very intruiging and complex. This particular bottle is probably impossible to find in BC (look for it when you are in Seattle or shopping online for wine to send to your Pt. Roberts mailbox). To encourage agents to bring really unique, interesting wines to BC, the next time you find yourself in a great wine shop, ask for something unusual, esoteric or even weird. Neil, Matt and the folks at Kitsilano Wine Cellars are awesome at pointing at something delicious that even the most ardent wine-lovers may have overlooked."

Click here to read Julie Pegg's profile of Anthony Nicalo in our Food Heroes section.

Michelle Bouffard and Michaela Morris of housewine send this seasonal wine pick.

"The sun has been shining, the days are getting longer and the crocuses are in bloom. Spring has officially arrived so we can wear white shoes and drink white wine. We are definitely in our happy place, especially with a glass of Kris Pinot Grigio. Its fresh lush and juicy flavours of lime and lemon make it a perfect partner to salads or your favourite seafood pasta. It will cheer you up even if it is rainy outside."

$21.99 (BCLDB #151860)

Stay tuned to our bulletin board for housewine events and click here to learn more about their winetastings and other services.

Glenn Barlow from the BC Liquor Guys in Cook St. Village sends this pick to EAT readers:  "We just got a nice little Pinot Blanc in from Leon Manbach, Alsace for $18. It's spicy and aromatic with a rich orange zest finish." Available at private BC wine and liquor stores CSPC# 335141.