The Vancouver International Wine Festival’s Tasting Room could be considered heaven. One hundred and seventy wineries will be pouring more than 750 wines. The sad truth is that you won’t be able to try them all. While making a valiant attempt, don’t forget to chat with the fine folks who are behind the booths pouring. Many of them are winery owners or winemakers and have a come a long way to chat about their wines. Below are just a few of my must-visit tables with the fascinating people you’ll meet there and what to try.
Yalumba with Jane Ferrari, winemaker and communicator extraordinaire
To Jane’s title I would add tireless ambassador, not just for Yalumba but also for the Barossa Valley. Hilarious, sometimes irreverent but always a fascinating educator, she’ll deftly defend Yalumba’s position as organic “fence-sitters”. Try her.
My pick: 2014 Yalumba, Y Series, Viognier • South Australia • $17.99, BC Liquor Stores
This plush white evokes spring flowers and a bowl of the ripest, most succulent peaches.
Fowles with Matt Fowles, CEO
Handsome, witty, charming and down-to-earth all describe Matt. An avid hunter, he also knows how to shoot a gun. Most importantly, he is responsible for some damn good Shiraz and Chardonnay. Spend some time with him finding out why the region of Strathbogie Ranges is capable of producing top-notch wine.
My pick: 2013 Fowles, Are You Game? Chardonnay • Australia • $24-28, VIWF and private wine stores
Taste what a judicious use of oak means. Tropical mango and vanilla notes and a creamy texture are balanced by zesty lemon and bright acidity.
McGuigan with Neil McGuigan, CEO/chief winemaker
One of Australia’s five largest producers, McGuigan may be associated with inexpensive everyday drinking wine. What intrigues me though is their expansion to the premium level. Besides delving into more specific regional expressions of Aussie’s classic varieties, they’re also offering some interesting off-the-beaten-track gems. Highly awarded winemaker Neil McGuigan will lend insight into where Australian wine in general is headed.
My pick: 2013 McGuigan, Shortlist Montepulciano • Barossa Valley, Australia • $29.99, VIWF store only
Italy’s Montepulciano grape meets Australia. Exuberant yet firmly structured with wild dark cherries, chocolate and licorice. A mere 400 cases made.
Montes with Aurelio Montes Jr, director of winemaking
I had the pleasure of meeting Aurelio Montes Sr when Chile was the theme country in 2012 and he made quite an impression on me. This year his son, who is said to be just as charismatic, will be joining us. Questions about terroir, biodynamics or Syrah in Chile? He’s your guy.
My pick: 2012 Montes, Alpha Syrah • Colchagua Valley, Chile $25-29 • VIWF and private wine stores
A spicy and expressive number. Lots of baked black plum and blackberry tangled with sarsaparilla and toast.
Stina with Ivica Kovačević, winery director
Though Croatia has been making wine for centuries, great improvements in the last couple of decades make this a most exciting up-and -coming wine country. The Stina winery, located on the stunning Dalmatian coast and brought to its modern iteration by Ivica Kovačević, attests to this.
My pick: 2010 Stina, Majstor Plavac Mali • Brač, Croatia • $59.99, BC Liquor Stores
Crafted from the indigenous Plavac Mali grape, which boasts Zinfandel as one of its parents. Grilled herbs, maraschino cherry, subtle smoke, tamarind and cinnamon stick are underlined by grippy tannin.
If you don’t have your VIWF tickets yet, there are still some available for Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon. VanWineFest.com
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