AS often as not wine and politics in B.C. intersect.
This past week, MLA Ben Stewart relinquished his convincingly decided Westside-Kelowna riding to give Premier Christy Clark a pretty solid chance at winning a seat.
Stewart is also a founder and co-owner of Quails Gate Estate Winery, although he has dutifully distanced himself from its operation since being first elected in 2009. Once free from cabinet, however, he was quick to comment on the need to bring B.C.'s lagging liquor laws up to speed.
They "need to be modernized so they're easy to understand, easy to enforce compliance and we (can) streamline regulations," Stewart told The Globe and Mail.
All this was unfolding the day after the major B.C. VQA spring release (below).
Aside from the main event, another highlight was a tasting organized by Rhys Pender, which showed how B.C. wines stack up beside comparable bottles from elsewhere in terms of quality and price.
One of the first people, if not the first, to do that was the Stewart well over a decade ago when there were still many who needed to be convinced of the Okanagan's ability to make "serious" wines.
Even though my notes have long ago vanished, I recall they showed well.
The following are some notables from last week's international blind tasting that also held their own.
? Quails Gate Family Reserve 2011
One of the best examples of an Okanagan Chardonnay with acid, fruit and oak in perfect balance (90 pts, $35).
? Mission Hill Perpetua 2011
Aromas of floral and mineral notes, with vibrant citrus and spice wrapped judicious oak with good length (90 points, $34.99).
-Haywire "Raised in Concrete" Canyonview Pinot Noir 2011
Dark berries and cherry notes on top with a broad palate of plush fruit, some earthy notes and good length, firm tannins and balanced acidity (90 points $35), release shortly.
Last week's major B.C. VQA spring rollout, one of the biggest yet, yielded a wealth of summer friendly wines, from good sippers to serious barbecue contenders. Here's a few to help get the season started.
- Bench 1775 Chill
This winery on the Naramata Bench is the reincarnation of defunct Soaring Eagle, now under the ownership of Paradise Ranch. First tastes impress, and this easy-sipping, crisp citrus and stone fruit toned off-dry blend is no exception. This blend has good structure from the Pinot Gris that holds all the other elements together. Mainly Pinot Gris (46 per cent) with Chardonnay (25 per cent), Sauvignon Blanc (11 per cent) plus Viognier, Pinot Blanc and Gewurz (all six per cent), it adds up to one refreshing drop. Great value (90 points, $15.99).
- Desert Hills Cactus White 2011
Easy sipping, fruity blend of Viognier, Chardonnay, Gewurz and Pinot Gris from different mainly South Okanagan vineyards yields floral and citrus notes with a juicy finish (88 points, $15.90).
- Volcanic Hills Gewurz. 2011
A little lighter style that still pushes all the right buttons with floral notes on top and a lychee, tropical-toned palate with a clean end (89 points, $17.90).
- Lang Vineyards Rosé 2011
(Naramata) Pale pink in the glass with floral and bright cut berry notes on top before a vibrant, juicy, mid-palate and clean close. Easy sipping or food friendly (89 points), excellent value at $14.99.
Tim Pawsey covers food and wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. Contact: rebelmouse.com/hiredbelly, on Twitter @hiredbelly or email [email protected].
