For 18 years now, our local mountain has hosted Cornucopia. This food and drink extravaganza is a brilliant way to get re-acclimated to the mountain lifestyle just before the season starts. I make the annual pilgrimage religiously.
And if the best part of hitting the slopes is the après-ski, then thank you Whistler for offering us a little ‘avant-ski’ as well.
Much like skiing, presenting five seminars back to back (covering Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cab, Argentina and wine with Asian cuisine) requires stamina. But I always have the energy to check out what my colleagues are up to. So if I’m AWOL from my own seminars, that is where you'll find me.
The Saturday morning dilemma is choosing between Riesling and Mediterranean Marvels. The former will be a balletic tour de force of dry to sweet styles with a through line of vibrant acidity guaranteed to keep you stimulated until the finish. As for Mediterranean Marvels, of course it includes Spain and Italy, but the real draws here are the truly unique gems from Greece, Croatia, Lebanon, and Turkey.
If you want to be cutting edge, the Natural Wine seminar is a must. Not sure what that is? Don’t worry. DJ Kearney and Master of Wine (MW) Rhys Pender will shed some light on this hotly debated approach to winemaking. It’s a timely discussion as even our local winemakers are getting in on the action. Expect examples from Stag’s Hollow, Haywire, CedarCreek, and Laughing Stock Vineyards. Save me some dregs, please.
The true endurance test is making it to the seminars on Sunday. The Exotic Wine Safari ventures beyond known grape varieties. Afterwards, be sure to hit the blind tasting competition. Up North & Down Under pits Kurtis Kolt (representing BC) against Pender (supporting Australia). All you need to do is taste, vote and heckle.
The festivities continue the following weekend, with the Barbarian Pizza Party (matching wine with pie) being my top pick. And if you can’t make it up the mountain, the following are some tasty highlights.
2012 Schloss Reinhartshausen, Dry Riesling, Rheingau Germany • $19.99 • BC Liquor Stores
Bone dry with citrus zest, white peach, green apple, and thirst quenching acidity.
2012 Château Megyer, Dry Furmint, Tokaji, Hungary • $20 - $23 • Private wine stores
Expressive and round with tasty apple peel and apricot, loads of minerality, and a slightly nutty finish. Definitely exotic!
2012 Jean Maurice Raffault, Chinon AOC, France • $21.99 • BC Liquor Stores
All you need to bring to the pizza party is your appetite, and this Cab Franc is sure to stimulate it. Mouthwatering red currants, herbs, and tobacco. Would also work at a burger bash.
2013 Akarua, ‘Rua’ Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand • $26.99 (SKU #20552) • BC Liquor Stores
I promise not to desert my Pinot Noir seminar. In New Zealand’s stunning region of Central Otago, this beguiling grape boasts cherry, plum and wild thyme.
2011 Emiliana, Coyam, Colchagua Valley, Chile • $29.99 (SKU #845321) • BC Liquor Stores
A Syrah-heavy red worth every penny. It’s like the Rhône Valley hooked up with Bordeaux but in Chile. And it’s made by superstar biodynamic guru Alvaro Espinoza. Go to the Natural Wine discussion for all the juicy details.
