the WINE GUY
Time for some spring cleaning. Or in this case, a little cellar clean out. Mind you, this is not to be confused with cellar management. It is important to keep tabs on any bottles squirrelled away to ensure optimum enjoyment. In this case, with all the bottles being tasted over the course of the year, not all manage to make it into the column in a timely fashion, which is what happened with this week's three picks. So, this is more appropriately a tasting journal clean out.
THE SWIRL: B.C. ALE TRAIL'S VANCOUVER TASTING PASSPORT
No pressure, but the Vancouver Tasting Passport has already begun. Hosted by the B.C. Ale Trail, the Vancouver Tasting Passport runs March 28-April 30. Taking part is easy: simply visit six of the participating businesses throughout Brewery Creek and Yeast Van, buy a glass to get a stamp, then submit a completed passport. Completed passports will be entered into a draw for prizes.
For complete details head to bcaletrail.ca/vancouverpassport.
Nomad Handcrafted Cider Kingston Black, B.C. (from $9.50 for 500mL, available through the cidery and select private liquor stores)
Tucked among all the wine bottles lurks a bottle of cider. A 500 mL bottle of Kingston Black from Summerland's Nomad Handcrafted Cider, to be exact. And it's very cool. Nomad's Orchard Series is dedicated to producing ciders from single varietals of locally grown cider apples. In this case Kingston Black, an apple with English origins that derives its name from deep red, almost purplish-hued skins, as showcased on the bottle's label. This is a serious and delicious cider, with ample apple aromas complemented by a rich entry and a tart midbite followed by a crisp, exuberant finish.
Bottom line: B+, pair with fish and chips.
Mezzacorona 2022 Pinot Grigio, Italy ($19.99, #312801)
Is it time to bring out the patio furniture? If not yet, when the time does arrive feel free to pour a glass of this cheery Pinot Grigio to welcome in the al fresco season. Mezzacorona's Pinot Grigio hits all the classic stylistic notes of northern Italian PG. Pouring a bright light golden, it wafts aromas of citrus and flowers with underlying peach and stone fruit. A smoother, robust entry is quickly beset by freshness and mineral tones. This is an easy white wine partner that will ably complement an array of dishes, from butter chicken to grilled seafood.
Bottom line: B, pair with jean shorts
Lake Sonoma 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($29.99, #738401)
This is one bottle that could handle a few more years in the cellar. That said, it's sipping fine right now. Dark and dense ruby, it brings aromas of ripe dark fruit and black cherry alongside baking spices, cocoa and herbs — classic for California Cab Sauv. Aged 11 months in new and neutral French oak, a sweeter entry portends a fruitforward style overall, with soft and supple tannins lingering on a generous, lengthy finish. This is a crowdpleasing food partner, so bring on the burgers, roasts, or wild mushroom ragu.
Bottom line: B, pair with backyard barbecues.