Wine Guy: Springing into wine

Article content

Have you spring sprout? Untimely hail and unseasonably cool temperatures be darned, it’s time to put a pep in both our steps and our wineglasses.

Article content

Sunshine, and sunny thoughts, can be a state of mind, and it certainly can’t hurt to set the stage by pairing with a fun wine. To help, here are three seasonally-approved bottles.

Rapitalà 2019 Grillo, Italy ($16.99, #68516)

Let Cricket put a grin on your face. Pronounced “GREE-low,” this Sicilian white grape is a cross of Catarratto and Moscato di Alessandria that has historically been the backbone in Marsala, the island’s well-known fortified wine. But these days Grillo is finding its way atop the dinner table thanks to bottles like the organically-farmed Rapitalà, which pours bright golden and provides fun floral-meets-savory aromas. It has less overt fruit, but brightness and balance abound in this mid-weight, easy finishing white. A bottle of this and some fresh seafood — yes, it’s spot prawn season too — screams springtime living.

Article content

Bottom line: B, Savory wine vibes

Quails’ Gate 2021 Rosé, British Columbia ($19.99, #170316)

Yes, rosé season is officially in full swing, with new bottles landing on shelves almost daily. Each year, West Kelowna’s Quails’ Gate is one of the first pink wines to arrive — and like the cherry trees blossoming it’s become an anticipatory event. This year’s bottling maintains a fun, bright light pink color in the glass and abounds with an aromatic combination of red berry, rhubarb, floral, and watermelon Jolly Rancher candy. A fresh and fruity intro holds true throughout, with a lick of spice to end. Food-wise again think fresh seafood, or simply a thrown together charcuterie plate — ideally served fresh under the extending sunlit hours.

Article content

Bottom line: B, Strong picnic wine vibes

Boland Cellars 2020 Cappuccino Pinotage, South Africa ($21.99, #380496)

You know what else must now be done? If the cover is still dusty and dirty, it’s time to clean and scrub the grill. Even if the evening temperatures don’t yet seem to be beckoning, it must be so! Consider it a “…build it and they will come” moment. And when that grilling time does arrive, well Cappuccino Pinotage is ready for you. Featuring prune and plums, mocha and herbs — this is a smooth, round and ripe flavor bomb of a wine that is calling to be paired with deep, succulent BBQ. Really, the smokier and greasier — the wine will provide nice contrast when matching.

Bottom line: B, Big time BBQ wine vibes!

The Swirl: Wines of BC Ambassador Program

Article content

Spring is the time for new beginnings, right? Perhaps this means learning more about BC wine through formal wine education.

Well, there’s a new low-stress option for this thanks to Wine of British Columbia. Their just-launched Ambassador Program is a three level wine course, and admittedly while Levels 2 and 3 are mainly geared to the wine trade, the online Level 1 course is billed as “. … designed for everyone — those making, growing, selling, or just enjoying BC wine.”

The program covers all the basics from the history, unique climate and geography, varieties and BC wine styles, and wine and food pairing. Level 1 is $75 and takes an estimated 90 minutes to complete, with a final exam to conclude — requiring 80 per cent or above to pass — before a certificate is provided. To register head to winebc.com.