If you ever needed proof of the robust health of Vancouver’s wine culture, you should have been at this year’s CAPS Best Sommelier of B.C. Competition to drill down for the province’s top sommelier.
On Monday afternoon, more than 150 industry pros packed into swank surroundings at Rogers Arena to take in the climax of the competition, which featured finalists Todd Prucyk (Hawksworth), Mathew Landry (Stable House) and Shane Taylor (CinCin).
This is a truly gruelling contest.
Not only do you have to know your stuff (finalists have to place in the top three in a tough written exam), but you have to be able to serve and speak about the wines flawlessly in front of that pretty tough crowd, not to mention a panel of high-powered judges.
The sommeliers have to excel in all areas, from being put on the spot for their knowledge during simulated table service to successfully identifying a flight of wines and a cocktail poured blind plus suggest appropriate wine and food pairings. They also need to be able to point out some pretty geeky errors on a carefully contrived wine list (again in front of the crowd) in a matter of minutes.
At the end of the day it was Shane Taylor (wine director at CinCin) who walked away with top honours. He goes on to represent B.C. at this year’s nationals.
There is no praise like a salute from your peers:
“Watching Shane was like a master class in service,” notes fellow competitor Peter Van de Reep, (Upstairs at Campagnolo).
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The Wine World is here, and a lot of them are coming from Canada.
Even as recently as a couple of decades ago it would have been unthinkable to suggest that Canada would be in the spotlight at the hallowed Vancouver International Wine Festival. But that’s precisely the case at this year’s festival, which rolls out at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Feb. 11-19. Canada is indeed the country theme, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of confederation in true style. That said, there’s also no shortage of top wineries also on their way from around the world.
After the glitzy launch at the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner and Auction, the main portion adds up to eight days of 54 events, including dinners, educational seminars and, of course, the
International Tastings, with 180 wineries and their principals serving a mind boggling array of 780 wines, including regional tasting stations from Australia, British Columbia, New Zealand, Nova Scotia and Spain. For comprehensive event details and booking options go to vanwinefest.ca.
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This week’s picks
Cassini Cellars Aristocrat Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Textbook varietally correct, precise and elegant Cabernet with up-front plum and cassis notes followed by a well-structured palate, juice of red berries, and excellent length, wrapped in spicy oak and firm acidity. Drink or hold for a few years (92 points, $40).
Blue Mountain Pinot Gris 2015
This wine stands out for its complex texture and layers that come from 40 per cent of the wine being fermented and aged in French oak. The result is a luscious, orchard-fruit and peach-toned drop with great structure and length, underpinned by juicy acidity. B.C. has a lake of Pinot Gris but this one takes the cake (93 points).
Tim Pawsey writes about wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. He can be reached via email at [email protected].
