Tofino food, wine event should make for wild night
B.C. wine fans take note: the B.C. Wine Institute is inviting consumers to“Search Near Not Far” and explore the unique differences comingfrom our defined wine growing regions. The campaign invites consumers to explore the character within each B.C. wine region and to learn about the Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and the four new regions of Thompson Valley, Kootenays, Lillooet and the Shuswap.
Each region will be profiled for one week on winebc.com and across social-media channels. Participating consumers can win weekly prizes culminating in a grand prize of the ultimate B.C. wine-touring experience for two. To enter, visit WineBC. com/SearchandSavour.
Tofino Resort + Marina has announced its chef collaborations for the winter.
Chef Paul Moran has invited talented chefs with different backgrounds from across Canada to prepare something absolutely unique for his guests. Named after Tofino’s first post office (which opened in 1909), 1909 Kitchen specializes in all things local.
Next up on Dec. 1, chef Angus An from the popular Thai restaurant Maenam in Vancouver will be in the kitchen. The combination of Moran and An should make for a wild night on the West Coast. For reservations, call 250-726-6122 or visit tofinoresortandmarina.com.
B.C. WINE OF THE WEEK
Culmina Family Estate Decora 2017, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley $21 I 91/100 UPC: 827413000706 Decora, from the Latin for beautiful, comes off Margaret’s Bench at 595 metres above sea level. The 2017 is a beautifully crafted style showing much more finesse than previous versions. It’s extremely delicate with fleeting mineral/floral undertones and scents of orchard fruits. The attack is stony with grapefruit pith and more mineral, chalky and wet stone notes. It’s not as intense as a great Mosel, but definitely tracking in the right direction. Very drinkable and well balanced; oysters on the half-shell please. A super bargain, so back up the truck.
WINE FOR THE CELLAR
Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve 2015, Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, Chile $92.99 I 94/100
UPC: 00608057104841
The latest Don Maximiano is a marked evolution in style, especially with its new flavour profile and highly refined textures. Red fruit and silky, soft tannins have transformed this wine from a brute to a highly polishedred wine. The wine is fermented in smallish stainless-steel vats and aged in two-thirds new French barriques for 22 months. You won’ t find the word elegant in any of our previousDon Max notes, but this wine is all that and more. Floral, elegant and red-fruited, brushed with dried herbs and wrapped in seamless tannins equals a whole new Don Max and I say bravo, Francisco. I love the tension and balance here, indicating it will age effortlessly. This is a terrific Chilean blend.