2008 Averill Creek Pinot Gris

Vancouver Island, B.C.

In a unique twist this week we have sourced some Pinot Gris from the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. Normally we associate British Columbia wines with the Okanagan but grapes are also grown on the lower mainland, the Saanich Peninsula and Cowichan Valley. The Cowichan Valley lies approximately 50 km north of Victoria and is actually a very warm growing region. "Cowichan" means the "warm land" and is generally 5-8 degrees hotter than Victoria.

 Averill Creek Winery was founded by Andy and Wendy Johnston who are from Edmonton but relocated to the coast to establish a 40 acre vineyard and vertical flow winery on the slopes of Mount Prevost just north of Duncan. Since their first release the winery has acheived critical acclaim and specializes in Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

The 2008 Pinot Gris was barrel fermented in neutral French Oak. The wine is golden in color, with an aromatic nose of clover honey, spice and citrus. The wine has forward acidity and is a great food pairing wine. A wonderful food match would be West Coast smoked salmon with some mascarpone cream cheese with lemon zest!

Enjoy!

Cellar Door Price $19.95

2009 Cuvaison Pinot Noir

Carneros, California

With Valentine's Day in our sites we start to think about the heartbreak grape, Pinot Noir. Pinot can be a real heartbreaker to the grape grower for it's fickleness but if all the elements come together just right it will make you swoon. One of our favorite pairings for richer pinots, such as this week's feature, is with beef tenderloin or grilled steelhead trout or salmon.

Cuvaison Estate Winery was founded in 1969 and the current winemaker Steve Rogstad joined the winery in 2002 with an impressive pedigree of having worked with some of Napa’s greats included Saintsbury, Spring Mountain Vineyards, Clos Pegase, and Rombauer.

The grapes for the Pinot come from the Carneros region which is the southernmost corner of Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Carneros is characterized by fog and cool breezes from the San Pablo Bay, gently rolling hills and dense clay soils. The morning fog keeps the grapes from heating up too quickly, while the afternoon wind lowers leaf temperature and dries the dew left by the morning fog. Pinot Noir thrives in these conditions.

The 2009 Pinot is a rich full bodied pinot noir with damson plum, strawberry, black cherry and a touch of spice/clove. The wine has firm tannins but a juicy mouth feel which makes it a great food wine.

Cellar Door Price: $42.95

2009 Orin Swift "Saldo" Zinfandel

Napa, California

Thinking big in 2012 can means tasting some rich full bodied wines that are ideal for this time of the year. Enter the Saldo Zinfandel from Orin Swift. With grapes sourced from some of the finest growers in Northern California the 2009 Saldo is a deep ruby in color and has bright red fruit aromas with a bouquet of toasty oak and sweet vanilla. The wine is big and has a long finish. Drink now or enjoy over the next five years .

The word "saldo" has many different meanings in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. In Spanish, it mainly refers to "balance on hand", and sometimes it can mean "from here and there." This wine represents the best of the best lots from vineyards all across Northern California.

Wine Maker's Notes: The 2009 Saldo bursts with aromas of ripe strawberry and black fruits with well integrated oak. The entry is mouth coating and leads into a mid palate with structure and good acidity. The finish is bright and long with soft tannins and subtle oak sweetness. Drink now and enjoy over the next five years.

Cellar Door Price: $45.95