FORMER Olympic downhill super-star turned Senator, Nancy Greene reminded us the other day that, for most people of my generation, the most vital piece of equipment in learning to ski was a wine-skin.
It's true. The mini hill north of Montreal where the Hired Belly first strapped on boards boasted a hip-bruising snow tram to haul you up the last 200 feet to a smattering of cabins near the top. I don't recall exactly what went into the wineskin. But a few shots of "Dutch courage" usually served to soothe the nerves on the way down over late afternoon ice.
While Mont Christie family ski hill is no more, the former Tod Mountain has morphed into Sun Peaks, B.C.'s second largest ski-region. The 50-year-old venture owes much of its success to the tireless efforts of Greene, who makes sure she gets back from the "chamber of sober second thought" for her weekends on the mountain - when anyone who wants to ski with her just has to show up at 1 p.m.
Sun Peaks' magic lies in its wide range of activities (both winter and summer), a few of which we managed to pack in between events at this year's Okanagan Winter Wine Festival.
In the few years since our last visit we'd forgotten how the scale of this picturesque, family friendly village (where you can pretty well cruise on your board from anywhere right down to the day lodge) is so utterly delightful.
The one-of-a-kind wine festival boasts four days of seminars, dinners and rubbing shoulders with winemakers, culminating in a unique, progressive tasting that sees hundreds of tasters wandering and sampling their way through the village. And the schedule is very ski-friendly.
For info on next year check: sunpeaksresort.com or thewinefestivals.com.
Sun Peaks has also matured on the plate, with a bevy of good eateries, including eclectic tapas bar Globe, and newly landed Asian inclined Black Garlic Bistro; while The Delta Sun Peaks Winemasters Dinner and Sunday Brunch with Bubbles suggest this would be the perfect small conference spot in a semi-wilderness setting.
No surprise, we came home with a bunch of B.C. wine picks. Here's just a few for now (more on the blog later):
- St. Hubertus 2010 Riesling. Yes, we know, here we are on the Riesling kick again. But this may be their best yet - and it's super food-friendly. Floral and hints of honey on top with a lively citrus palate. Great value at BCLS $15.50.
- Church & State Cabernet Sauvignon 2009. A distinctly different Cab: medium bodied with definite mineral undertones, great structure and good fruit-tannin balance, from the impossibly stony Vanessa Vineyard in Similkameen Valley. Worth the search. $25.90 (winery and private stores).
- Stags Hollow Cabernet Franc 2009. Another demonstration of how B.C. Cab Franc can work well on its own. Black cherry and chocolate notes with juicy acidity on the palate balanced by fine tannins, cassis and lingering spice notes. Superb with Globe's pistachio crusted rack of lamb. $27.99 (winery).
- Fort Berens Rosé 2010. Even though we're all waiting for the Lillooet-grown wines (later this spring) there's plenty to like from the Okanagan, such as this citrus and strawberry toned dry rosé. A good match with Black Garlic's organic chicken hotpot. (Although, fermented black garlic with Fort Berens Meritage . . . who knew?) $18, winery and private stores (VQA).
- Cassini Cellars Syrah 2009. More proof that this South Okanagan newcomer hit the ground running. Luscious forward black fruit, layers of blackberry and anise, some meaty notes with firm but balanced tannins, grip and spice. $34, winery, private stores.
- Stag's Hollow 2010 Hart. This is one of the truest port styles we've tasted from the Okanagan. Made originally on a whim, from late hanging 100% Merlot, it yields sweet, plush rounded black fruit with measured, not hot alcohol. Foot-trodden, made in open fermenters. One of the classiest packages too. $25, winery.
