Fine food and pours paired
The 12th annual Toast to the Coast runs Oct. 19 in support of Ocean Wise and the Vancouver Aquarium. The evening connects food and drink connoisseurs with ocean conservationists in a lively cocktail setting. Delicious bites assembled by Ocean Wise seafood champions Arc Restaurant, Diva at the Metropolitan, the Lobby Lounge and RawBar, Market by Jean- Georges, Minami, Notch8 Restaurant, and Ocean Wise executive chef Ned Bell will be paired with pours from the province’s top wineries, breweries, and distilleries.
The evening wraps with an after-party dance led by DJ Sherry Freeze from Girl on Wax. Tickets are $150. To view full event details and to purchase tickets, visit vanaqua.org/tttc.
The latest Organic Okanagan Committee progress report says that according to the Certified Organic Associations of B.C., “British Columbia is the strongest organic market in Canada, with 66 per cent of consumers buying organic weekly.” The committee, which has put several vineyard owners in touch with organic viticulturists, says that due in part to its efforts, major Okanagan wineries are now converting to organic practises including, but not limited to: Saint Hubertus Winery (65-plus acres), Mission Hill Winery (1,200-plus acres), Tantalus Winery (40-plus acres), Sperling Winery (25-plus acres), Okanagan Crush Pad (80-plus acres), and the Chase Winery is in discussion, looking at 120-plus acres, with many more considering transitioning.
WINE OF THE WEEK
River Stone Corner Stone 2014, Oliver, Okanagan Valley $34.90 | 90/100
UPC: 626990156444
River Stone is a small estate operating just south of McIntyre Bluff in the Oliver area of the Okanagan Valley. The blend is 27/27/20/18/8 Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot aged 18 months in French oak. The vineyards are on warm, south-facing slopes comprising rock, sand, and gravel laid down during the last glacial recession. Impressive from the start to the finish. Sleek, dry and firm, with just the perfect amount of muscle and fruit. Tannins are refined and stylish. Lamb would be a super match.
WINE FOR THE CELLAR
Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Napa Valley, California $116.99 | 92/100
UPC: 010465208903
A stellar Napa Valley vintage gives us this delicious 78/15/3/2/2 mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc from Phelps vineyards in South Napa, Oak Knoll District, St. Helena, Rutherford, and Stags Leap District. It easily soaks up the 40 per cent new oak, leaving a dark, inky red with intense, sweet, black fruit. You taste the small berries and loose cluster intensity yielding sweet mulberries, plums, anise and dense, rich, soft tannins. It’s the layers and complexity that set this apart from the norm, and what you pay the premium for. An impressive young Cabernet that will only get better in the cellar. If you drink it now, the match is rare T-bone steak.