A Wine List for Spring!

Courtesy of another wine lover – Kurtis Kolt shared his favourite wines to enjoy this Spring on WE Vancouver. We are happy to be included on the list!

“While the cherry blossoms are still in full bloom around much of Vancouver, let’s crack open a few wines that’ll suit springtime well!

La Stella 2012 Moscato D’Osoyoos | Osoyoos, BC | $20-25/500ml | LaStella.ca or Private Stores
This light and merry sparkler bursts with aromatics of peach nectar and red currant, but on the palate it’s all fruit cocktail with fresh slices of Bartlett pear thrown into the mix. At first sip, you’ll think it’s rather sweet, but as you continue on, you’ll note its lively acidity and find yourself reaching for more. Made from a couple Muscat varieties sourced around the Okanagan, never mind waiting until dessert – enjoy it with Thai or Indian curries instead.

Chateau de Sancerre 2012 | Loire Valley, France | $29.99 | BC Liquor Stores
Sauvignon Blanc isn’t often my thing, particularly when there’s that intense cat pee/ammonia thing going on. What I like with Chateau de Sancerre’s version, besides its annual consistency, is the full bloom of orange blossom on the nose, and then its fresh, abundant layers of Golden Delicious apples, Asian pear, green table grapes and lemon curd. The acidity folds in well – not that extreme tear-your-face-off style – but the kind that lends a wee bit of a richer viscosity and has a seemingly-endless finish.

Domaine de Chaude Ecuelle 2009 Chablis 1er Cru | Chablis, France | $47.99 | Kitsilano Wine Cellars
Whiffs of zesty lemons and wet rocks on the nose will transport you straight to Chablis, Chardonnay’s mecca for many of us. In classic form, there’s a purity of citrus fruit here, and I’m also picking up the intensity and charm of key lime pie. Throw in some hints of limestone, very good length and, oh, is that a little jasmine, too? I love this wine; it’s well worth the price tag. Put it this way; the first thing I said upon tasting was, “Holy shit!”

Stag’s Hollow 2013 Syrah Grenache Rosé | Okanagan Valley BC | $22-26 | StagsHollowWinery.com
This is totally a strawberry rhubarb pie cooling on a farmhouse window sill on the first day of summer. Tucking into it a little further, there’s cherry jam, red wine gums, dried thyme and pinch of heat on the fairly-dry finish. This isn’t a one-dimensional wine either, there’s ample character to ponder if that’s what floats your boat. Available winery-only at the moment, hitting Vancouver stores within weeks.

Marisco Vineyards ‘The Ned’ 2013 Pinot Noir | Marlborough, NZ | $20.99 | BC Liquor Stores
This Pinot Noir has the quality and allure of a much pricier and handcrafted, small-production wine. How lovely then, that for just over 20 bucks you can get this quite-solid testament to the variety. Wild mushrooms, bay leaf, and then red and black berry fruit float along, singing all the way. Give it a few minutes in the fridge to chill, then enjoy. Marisco Vineyards is going to be one of over 80 New Zealand wines poured at the BC Hospitality Foundation’s annual Dish ‘n Dazzle, May 1 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. For more information, head to DishNDazzle.com”

Kurtis Kolt | WE Vancouver