So we are back from our hiatus and will be talking about some of our own.

Joie PTG and Therapy Vineyards Alterego.

The Joie PTG is a light bodied wine made in the old world style of Alsace and Burgundy.
It is a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay. The Pinot Noir gives it a multilayered mouthful and the Gamay adds just the right amount of spiciness to it.
This is a delicate wine and has been aged in premium French oak that gives it the finesse that is well deserved by all of us.
Although it’s a red it would go well with white fish, turkey and light cheeses.

Now for the Alterego, its name is a play off of Therapy Vineyards Superego.
The Alterego is a blend of pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, viognier and chardonnay.
This is definitely a fruit driven wine but with layers. I have personally enjoyed this wine on its own, but pair it with pork tenderloin and you will be very happy.
Alterego has been aged in French oak and this has enhanced the subtle flavours of the fruit.
It is by no means a fruit bomb. It is a very well balanced and tasty offering from Therapy Vineyards and the 2010 is the inaugural release.
If their first try at it is this good I will definitely be trying the next release.

Cheers
James and the 1er Cru at Coal Harbour Liquor Store

Some of the best kept secrets out there are the quality of our own wines from the interior.

Many of our wineries are fantastic but to small to have a huge impact on your shopping. Here are 2 of my choices that I think exemplify our home grown quality.

Perpetua, chardonnay

• From Mission Hill Family Estate
• It is a single vineyard wine and is fermented in new French oak for 10 months and stirred by hand every 2 weeks.
• The finished product is rich and creamy with nice toasty notes on you palate with butter and smoke making it one of the best chardonnay’s out there.
• Mission Hill can impress when they want to and with the Perpetua they have certainly impressed me.

For our red this week I have chosen a new entry into the B.C. home grown market.
Painted Rock is only into its second vintage now and has created something even more special for us since its first release.

• Painted Rock Icon
• Estate grown
• It is a blend of Merlot at 30%, Cab Franc at 25%
• Malbec at 25% and Petit Verdot at 20%

It was aged in new French oak for 18 months and gives you a huge bodied red with fantastically ripe and concentrated fruit, with a deep deep red almost black in colour appearance. The ripe fruits explode on your palate but it does not resemble an Australian fruit bomb in any way. A true representation of what good wine making is all about.

Cheers
James and the 1er cru at Coal Harbour Liquor Store

Because the Spring is still trying to arrive, a small push from the land of Burgundy might just help.

The Chassagne Monttrachet, 2007 from Louis Jadot is one tasty tasty Chardonnay. It appears golden in colour and has fresh peaches, apricot and mango aromas that fill your nose. You get a full bodied Chardonnay with subtle herbs on your palate and a long lasting finish. Even in our crazy weather this little beauty will put some sunshine in your day.

For those of us who do not mind a big red wine any time of the year, I have remained in France and have chosen The Grand Vin of the Southern Rhone Valley.

Chateau de la Gardine from the world renowned Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation.

This is a smooth and velvety wine that goes well with food or on its own, (on its own works really well for me)
It has dark dense purple colour and a subtle smokiness that brings out the black currant and black cherry notes on your palate. This wine has a very full bodied mouth feel and finishes with velvety smooth tannins. Very hard to put down. A great go to wine when you want good quality and don’t have the time to test new wines prior to needing them.

If I was a wine critic both of these would be in my top 10 percent!!