The Hired Belly has been polishing his crystal wine ball to come up with a few fearless predictions for 2014.
In short, it should be a very good year, highlighted by France’s time to shine in the spotlight at the Vancouver International Wine Festival.
This year’s event (Feb. 24 to March 2) features appearances by French luminaries Michel Chapoutier (winemaker, M. Chapoutier), Etienne Hugel (owner, Hugel et Fils), Thomas Perrin (owner, Famille Perrin), Christian Seely (AXA, Compagnie Médocaine), Clovis Taittinger (Champagne Taittinger), and Philippe Zinck (winemaker-proprietor, Domaine Zinck Vins d’Alsace).
Not only will the strong French presence serve to boost interest in flagship regions such as Burgundy, Rhone, Bordeaux and Champagne, but consumers will discover lots to like from Alsace, Languedoc Roussillon and more. Best to grab tix now, as they’ll start to go fast (vanwinefest.ca or 604-873-3311).
There will be plenty more, of course, with just about every major wine-producing country in attendance. Well, almost. Hello, Greece, are you still out there?
In the newer world, it’s been a long road back, post-Apartheid embargo, for South African producers, but an eagerly anticipated tour of top Cale wineries is scheduled to make its way across Canada sometime in late spring. And if you still think the Cape makes only good budget and entry-level drops, you’re in for a big surprise from the likes of Ataraxia, Radford Dale, Mulderbosch, Raats and Springfield Estate. These guys are making some brilliant wines. I truly hope we’ll get to taste more of them here and soon. Stay tuned.
Expect more good things from B.C., too, and not only from the Okanagan although I have no doubt the province’s flagship region will continue to shine. One B.C. wine that unexpectedly caught my attention in 2013 was Harper's Trail’s inaugural Cabernet Franc. It’s the best sign yet that there are more surprises to come from B.C.’s “hinterland” wineries, including Lillooet’s Fort Berens and Creston’s Baillie-Grohman.
While Cabernet Franc will continue to blossom increasingly as B.C.’s single red varietal of choice, riesling’s ascent will surely continue, driven in part by our chefs’ appeciation for its role as a spectacular wine with food.
I expect even more good things from Syncromesh, whose Storm Haven 2011 riesling launched it firmly into Tantalus territory.
Riesling guru Stewart Pigott (author of Planet Riesling and soon-to-be-published The Best White Wine on Earth — The Riesling Story) was also impressed by a number of B.C. producers, which he visited last summer.
Along with Tantalus (the “established star”) and Syncromesh Storm Haven 2012, Pigott singled out CedarCreek Platinum 2012 for special mention in an area in which he discovered some “amazing wines” he says he had no idea existed.
Farther south, Similkameen will continue to be the valley to watch, with the likes of Orofino, Clos de Soleil, Herder and Little Farm leading the way. Not to be overlooked, a handful of Vancouver Island wineries will spread their wings, including Beaufort, which continues to impress especially with 2012 Ortega. Sadly, they won’t include Starling Lane, which has ceased production.
Over the holidays I got to re-taste their Célebration Brut. There is arguably no better indication of what Vancouver Island should have been doing from the start.
• • •
Belly’s Best - Wine of the Week
Hester Creek Cabernet Franc Reserve Block 3 2011
Made with fruit from some of the oldest vines in the valley, this has some smoky hints on top, followed by plush raspberry, red and black fruit, wrapped in firm but balanced tannins, with juicy acidity and good length.
It is more proof that Hester Creek is an Okanagan Cab. Franc standard bearer and a great sequel to the 2010 Lieutenant Governor Award winner. It is worth putting away for a few years too (91 points, BCLS $28.95).
Tim Pawsey covers food and wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. Contact: rebelmouse.com/hiredbelly, on Twitter @hiredbelly or email [email protected].
