Whether you are barefoot in the park, at the beach or
just setting up a blanket on the cramped corner of your
patio, summer is the time for dining alfresco. My
perfect wine would have a screwcap (but that's a
future piece) for simplicity and sheer laziness. But
seriously, its not difficult to throw a crank into your
picnic basket as you swing out the door. Picnic
wines can be whatever floats-your-boat,
whatever you
like or whichever wine best pairs with the pickins you
are
packin' . But no matter which wine you choose
remember to pack some ice to keep those pinks,
whites
and reds chillin'...
Warm pear and peachy flavours with citrus blossom,
minerals and smoked spice notes. Rounded and
quite hot on the palate with more spice, vanilla and
crisp white grapefruit on the finish.
Try with spiced crab cakes! $15.90 BC
$18.99 AB (+103044)
I love seeing those pink stars appearing on the wines
I have reviewed. Since you (the readers) are the
ones tasting the wines, you should have your input
too.
The average score will always appear and as soon as
you score the wine the results are tallied!
Bubbly...under $16!
Wolf Blass Sparkling Brut Australia
Made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes the
Wolf Blass
Brut is straw coloured and pleasantly moussy with
aromas of
apple, pineapple, citrus and minerals with a yeasty
undertone. On the palate it's neither bone dry or
sweet with citrus zest, berry and a hint of nutty
flavours on the finish.
Great Value! $14.99+ (+292631)
private wine stores
Picnic Wines...
Calona Vineyards "Artist Series" Merlot, Okanagan BC 2005
Dark, rich aromas of sweet ripe plums, spiced
chocolate and earth. In the mouth the Calona Merlot
has loads more sweet, fresh dark fruit, cocoa and
tobacco with nice acidity and smooth tannins on the
finish.
Such an easy drinking wine is made for weeknights or
picnics! $14.99 BC (+458695) $15.29
SK $16.99 AB
A Wine Diva Feature - Shelf Talkers
Perfect for Agents and Retailers
Shelf Talkers are perfect for agents who need
them quickly and don't have in house printing.
Or for all you Retailers-private beer and wine
stores in and outside of Vancouver who read
Wine Diva religiously, carry the products I review and
want to have your own "Pink & Cheeky" Wine Diva
talkers.
You can print them in black and white or in colour.
(Just remember to set you advanced printer settings
and check off "colour").
There are four per page-all different-and they print out
exactly as you see them on the page.
You can see all the available shelf talkers by clicking
on the Shelf Talkers menu
item on the left side of the site. If a wine review
has a shelf talker, it a link will appear in the review.
If you want to know how to get a shelf talker made for
your wine contact me at daenna@winediva.ca
Heading to Okanagan wine country?
Here's a touring option
There are a lot wineries
to visit in the Okanagan.
Small, family owned and boutique wineries as well as
some of British Columbia's most recognized
producers.
It can be daunting.
But one easy option is the Great Estates of the
Okanagan Tour and Great Estates Passport.
Participating Vincor properties; Sumac Ridge, See Ya
Later Ranch, Nk'Mip, Jackson-Triggs and Inniskillin
offer single day or multi-day tours with options of
private tours and tastings, transport, lunches,
winemaker's dinners and winery discounts...
