Ever wonder what wine pros chat about when we get together to drink wine? I can see you yawning already. Sure there's a certain amount of “geek factor,” but the colleagues I hang out with are pretty well-rounded. We tend to keep the technical chatter to a minimum and discuss the juicier tidbits about the wine. Usually it revolves around whatever wine destination someone has returned from. Then we gossip, laugh and swap stories just like less wine-obsessed folk.
Alcohol is a great leveller. And wine has a way of leading the conversation. Here's a few bottles to loosen your lips.
2005 Anciano Tempranillo, Gran Reserva • Valdepeñas DO, Spain • $14.99,BC Liquor Stores
This Spanish red should inspire at least a few comments. At over 10 years old, it’s a departure from the fruit forward youthful wines that dominate the shelves. Instead leather, sweet spice, dried fruit and vanilla waft from this charmingly rustic gem. Introduce your friends to something new. The general consensus will be the excellent value for money Spain can offer.
2014 Tiberio Pecorino • Colline Pescaresi IGT, Italy • $27.99,BC Liquor Stores
I first tried Pecorino while visiting Abruzzo in 2007. I thought the sommelier was offering me cheese so of course I said yes. After getting over my surprise when he brought me a glass of white, I was taken by the crisp, herbal mouthful. Years later, I'm returning to Abruzzo in search of new discoveries but also to finally visit Tiberio, one of the region's finest producers of Pecorino. Luckily you don't have to travel all the way to Italy to enjoy this medium weight gem with flavours of pear, sage and lemon balm.
2015 Bodegas Garzón Albariño • Uruguay • $27-30,private wine stores (such as Village Liquor, Everything Wine & Legacy Liquor Store)
Wines from less mainstream places always spark a conversation. Uruguay makes wine? Yes! It has gained a reputation for full-bodied reds made from Tannat but Albariño from Uruguay was new for me. Associated with Spain's wet northwest region of Rías Baixas, this grape is thought to be well-suited for Uruguay's humid and rainy climate. Somewhat Viognier-ish with canned peach, honey and blossom aromas along with fleshy nectarine but zippier acid and a lemon pith finish.
2014 Coronica Malvazija • Istria, Croatia • $39-40,private wine stores (such Everything Wine)
Friends recently returned from a vacation in Croatia with bottles and tales to share. As enthusiastic as they were about what they ate and drank, the dialogue soon took a serious turn to the war of independence and its lingering effects. A reminder that wine has a link to people, place and a culture. Here's one you can ponder over from the area of Istria crafted from the gorgeously fragrant Malvazija Istarska (Malvasia Istriana in Italy) grape. Pretty and pure with scents of fresh flowers.
2013 CedarCreek, Platinum Block 4 Pinot Noir • Okanagan Valley, BC • $55.99,winery direct
Around the world, BC is still fairly unknown as a wine region. So when travelling abroad, I’m always guaranteed a moment in the spotlight when I pull out a bottle of our local wine. Pinot Noir is one of the grapes we are starting to gain acclaim for and if I really want to make a statement, I pack one of CedarCreek's limited platinum series. Block 2 is particularly elegant and crunchy with some wood spice, cherry, violets and a silky texture.
