THE Hired Belly has recently noticed a flurry of media about tastes turning to less expensive wines.
Somehow it seems like old news. Only just now? We recall it was two years ago that quick thinking B.C. producers such as CedarCreek and Quails Gate repositioned their wines to two rather than three tiers, putting more premium fruit into the lower range wines and thereby delivering better value.
The reality is that most of us have been sipping more wallet-friendly wines for a while, including our neighbour, who recently asked for help in putting together a value-priced case for a winetasting party. The plan was to come with a few "good deal" wines to stock for upcoming fall dinners.
The rules were: nothing over $20 (most were much less) and they must be widely available. The 12 wines we picked out (from Everything Wine but also all sold at BCLS) covered the global spectrum, with a couple of worthy sparklers (Segura Viudas, $16.99 and Villa Theresa Prosecco, $16.97) included for good measure. Both bubbles were well received, no doubt in part because they were the first wines people tasted - and remembered!
When the votes were counted, the more popular four wines (any of which would be worthy of Labour Day sipping or barbecuing) were as follows:
- Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009. It's tough to find serious Cabernet for (just) under $20 but this drop delivers great style and complexity for a relative bargain. Juicy with a broad black fruit palate, clove and spice underpinned by firm but approachable tannins with a long finish definitely make it a winner. $19.99.
- Castillo de Monseran Cariñena 2007. This Spanish Garnacha made from 50 year old vines is one of the best value reds on the market. Medium bodied with some earthy notes, plush 'n plummy red fruit with good structure. Put it in a big glass and $13.99 tastes more like $18.
- Barossa Blonde 2010. One last summer sipper, not to be overlooked is this refreshing Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, and Sauv-Blanc 'cocktail': some lemon floral notes on top before a vibrant, citrus toned palate that's focused and zingy but not too dry. Great sipping or very food friendly. $15.99.
- Quails Gate Rosé 2010. Drier style with some earthy notes and mouthwatering acidity in a leaner, more food friendly style. $14.99.
Shelf wine prices are uniform but worth noting is that Everything Wine offers a five per cent discount on all case purchases.
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B.C. wineries continue to push the boundaries. First tastes from 40 Knots Winery suggest good things to come from this almost shoreside Comox newcomer established by former Tugboat captain Bill Montgomery and his wife, Michal.
Bucking the Island trend, pinning their hopes on the fresh sea air (hence the name) and a benign rain shadow, the Montgomeries have planted all vinifera varieties.
Production is very small from still young vines (just 219 cases last vintage, made with consulting Okanagan winemaker Christine Leroux) but worth the search are: a full fruited 2010 rosé, strawberrytoned and decidedly off dry, made with mainly Merlot (optimistically planted but soon to be pulled in favour of Pinot Auxerrois), 10 per cent Pinot Noir and a splash of Chardonnay, ($21). The keeper? A surprisingly full bodied 2010 Pinot Noir, with ripe layers of earthy, black cherry and savoury notes wrapped in juicy acidity ($25). Again, plenty of promise here, along with clean tasting, vibrant peach-and apple-toned Pinot Gris ($22).
Very limited availability at a few private wine stores, or from the winery at 250-941-8810; 40knotswinery.com.
