Bloom - VQA Spring Release event

This past Tuesday I attended the VQA new releases event at The Fish House. It was a gorgeous day, but packed and hot inside. Right away I wanted something to cool me off (Remind me not to wear suits to any more of these summery events.)

I found myself at Church and State trying their Sauvignon Blanc which was full of honeydew and other green fruit flavours. Next was Gehringer Brothers' floral Dry Ehrenfelser which

A big winner was Paradise Ranch's 1999 Chardonnay Ice Wine. How wonderful to find an ice wine with such lingering acidity. It went on and on, and tasted of caramel, bananas and nuts - imagine candied banana bread. If you can't find the 1999, it won't be quite the same but you can try the 2000 for $60 http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/587006?region=5

Tinhorn Creek's Oldfield's Collection Merlot tasted of rich ripe dark fruit, spice, and was smoky without being sour. Another very good find. If you like their Gewurztraminer, you'd best be buying it up now, because they just replaced those vines with Muscat.

My favourite of the day was a custom blend courtesy of David Scholefield. He poured me a taste of the Rigamarole Red , a blend of Gamay, Pinot Noir and Merlot that was full of berry flavours and a little spice ($16 http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/77156?region=5). A good find on its own, but then David went to town and splashed a bit of See Ya Later Ranch Riesling into my red (about $20 at VQA stores). Why not? After all, Shiraz and Viognier work well together. As David put it, BC wines are all about fresh fresh fresh, and the Rielsing accentuates the characteristics you love in the Rigamarole Red. Buy a bottle of each and try this trick at your next BBQ.