With my first glass of the New Year in hand, I’d like to take a moment to contemplate what we’ll all be drinking in the coming months.
Drum roll please… Prosecco sales in British Columbia will continue to grow. I certainly won’t be hailed as soothsayer for my prophecy. Italy’s effervescent darling shows no signs of slowing down. At some point, the proverbial bubble will burst. Until then, Prosecco can be used as a springboard from which to explore other sparkling wines from Italy. This could be the transition year that Franciacorta, Trento DOC, Moscato d’Asti and Lambrusco take off. Here my prediction is morphing into hope. Some may call it a pipe dream, but I have faith.
Rosé is another hot category that will stand its ground. The balmy summer of 2015 saw us chug back copious quantities. I, for one, am already dreaming of the freshest batch of rosés to arrive. But why wait until June to drink pink? My desire is that seasonal popularity will spill into the cooler months and rosé fans will embrace it year round.
When I look closely into my crystal glass, I see the rise of refreshment and drinkability. In a recent poll by Harpers Wine & Spirits magazine, wine professionals agreed that both reds and whites are moving away from oak. The same survey indicates a growing preference for higher acid whites. Why not reds as well? And, as tolerance for acid goes up, the inverse may be true for alcohol. The last decade or so has seen more and more wines pushing 15 per cent alcohol. The pendulum is poised to swing the other way as enthusiasts seek out wines with more digestible alcohol levels of 12-13 per cent.
Predictions or pipe dreams? We’ll have to wait until the end of the year to find out. Until then, you can join me in my wishes with the following wines.
2014 Logeril, ‘L’Orangeraie’ Rosé, 12.5% ABV
Pays d’Oc, France • $14-15, private wine stores
A tasty tangle of rose petals, dried herbs and red currants. While it may remind you of summer, this rosé will stand up to warming fare like roasted chicken and fish stew.
n/v Codorníu, ‘Cuvee Barcelona 1872’ Brut Rosé, 12% ABV
Cava DO, Spain • $19.99, BC Liquor Stores
In the wonderful world of bubbles, Cava is a highly worthy and similarly priced alternative to Prosecco. And with its pale pink hue, the new cuvée from Codorníu scores in colour category. Go rosé go!
2014 Medici Ermete, ‘Concerto’, 11.5% ABV
Lambrusco Reggiano DOC, Italy • $19.99, BC Liquor Stores
You might find this quite a departure from Prosecco. First of all, it’s red. But it is bubbly and, like Prosecco, it’s lower in alcohol. Crafted from the Lambrusco Salamino grape, the Concerto is dry, with a delicious explosion of succulent black raspberries. Just promise me you’ll try it.
2014 Chateau Ste Michelle, ‘Eroica’ Riesling, 12% ABV
Columbia Valley, Washington • $29.49, BC Liquor Stores
Could this finally be the rise of Riesling? Unoaked with moderate alcohol and spine tingling acidity, it is the epitome of food friendly and thirst quenching. Check out this dry vivacious example from our neighbours to the south.
2014 Domaine Piron-Lameloise, ‘Quartz’, 12.5% ABV
Chénas AOC, France • $29.99, BC Liquor Stores
The region of Beaujolais is good place to look for reds baring modest alcohol as well as bright refreshing acidity. Cru designations like Chénas offer some of the region’s best. Delivering on both fronts, the Quartz charms with wild berries, minerally stones and gorgeous lilac blossoms.
