Anthony Gismondi: B.C. wine of the week, wine to cellar and calendar items
Credit to Author: agismondi| Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2019 18:00:24 +0000
The B.C. government quietly amended a liquor regulation on July 8 that allows licensed grocery stores to sell any domestic or imported wine (including cider, mead and sake) they may choose.
The change is all part of the revised North American Free Trade Agreement, where Canada agreed to phase out the policy by Nov. 1, 2019. It will be interesting to see what happens provincewide.
Save-On-Foods remains committed to B.C. only, but no doubt other chains will move ahead with imported wine. As it stands, the vast majority of British Columbians have minimal local access to licensed grocery stores due to municipal regulations and the provincial government which plays both sides of the fence with its nearly 200 liquor outlets across the province. Stay tuned.
• There is another new winery in British Columbia, and the second to open in the Lillooet wine region. Cliff and Gorge Vineyards is located on the historic Texas Creek Ranch, south of Lillooet and nearby Fort Berens.
The rugged, wild, backcountry ranch is home to the winery, vineyard, mule and whitetail deer, black bears and, from time to time, grizzly, cougars and wolves that roam the area.
You are welcome to visit the Texas Creek Ranch for a walk or hike and a picnic, but let’s call it an adventure. They will give you a map, but they suggest you stop at Abundance Artisan Bakery in downtown Lillooet to pick up your lunch. Tastings by appointment.
Mission Hill Terroir Collection Jagged Rock Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc-Semillion 2018, Okanagan Valley
$29.99 | 92/100
UPC: 776545991416
From the southern Okanagan’s Jagged Rock Vineyard, this white Meritage is a 60/40 mix of Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, aged in a combination of stainless and French oak. There is exceptional intensity here, with a layer of texture and complexity. On the palate there is a delightful mix of white fruits, honey, grapefruit sprinkled with a touch of Okanagan sagebrush and stony minerality. A super wine that should improve in the bottle through 2021 and perhaps beyond. Well done.
Cantina Tollo Mo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2012, Abruzzo, Italy
$23.49 | 88/100
UPC: 8002001047086
Montepulciano grapes grown in the Abruzzo region of central Italy are at the core of this rich, red riserva. The nose has an intense black cherry that spills onto a fresh palate with rich black cherries and licorice root, followed by grippy tannins in the back end. Serve now with roasted meats for best results. The wine spends 24 months in oak casks and six months in the bottle before release. A great rustic pizza/pasta red.
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