Wine reviews that take us to Italy, France, Chile and the Okanagan

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Pick of the Week: Pasqua Passimento Rosso IGT

But – also discussed on what turned into a wide ranging review episode:

Thumbs up to:

•Ruffino’s Orvieto Classico Bianco 2017, from Italy
•Laurent Miquel Vendanges Nocturnes Classic Red, from France
•Blue Mountain Pinot Noir, from the Okanagan (watch out, this one will be pricey)

Mixed review to:

•Wave Series By Carmen’s “Right Wave” Pinot Noir, 2017, from Chile

More wine talk with Glenn Barlow from Cook St. Liquor

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We had so much fun the first time so we invited Glenn Barlow back to be our special guest. But this time we talk nothing but wine, including —

Glenn’s top picks in the $10-$15 range:

•The “Antares” brand, particularly their Carménère,
from Chile
•The “Masia F” Vino Tinto Tempranillo from Spain.

Glenn’s top picks with no price restrictions:

•Domaine Boucabeille Les Terrasses Cotes du Roussillon Villages, from France
• Finca Nueva Rioja, from Spain

Holiday Beer Picks from the B.C. Ale Trail

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Special Guest Joe Wiebe from the B.C. Ale Trail updates us on local beer news around town and then presents his list of this year’s top Holiday Themed Beers. You can find the full list on their website. 

Here are some of the highlights:

Three special holiday seasonal beers by Bridge Brewing (North Vancouver):

Grinch Winter Ale (6.5% ABV | 26 IBU) A tasty Christmas-style beer with vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon and clove.

Santa’s Sac (10% ABV | 30 IBU) A big and bold Belgian Golden Ale with notes of fruit, spice and pepper.

Sleigh Booster (9% ABV | 71 IBU) An Imperial Red Ale with a big dose of hops to round out the malt character.

Available at government and private liquor stores, and the brewery. Found on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.

 

Two special barrel-aged beers by Backroads Brewing (Nelson):

Ambree (6.8% ABV | 20 IBU) A Biere de Garde aged in Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir barrels with a tart, red-wine finish.

Jolene (8.9% ABV | 32 IBU) A bourbon barrel-aged smoked baltic porter: big and malty with smoke and bourbon notes.

Available at privately owned liquor stores and at the brewery. Found on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail.

 

Two special seasonal beers by Vancouver Island Brewing (Victoria):

Champagne Powder Belgian Brut IPA (6.2% ABV | 23 IBU) A celebration in every sip. Floral, fruity, spicy, and bone dry.

Barrel-Aged Hermannator Ice Bock (9.5% ABV | 25 IBU) Smooth and malty with vanilla and oak – call it the Bourbonator!

Available at government and private liquor stores, and the brewery. Found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

 

Stoked Winter Ale by Mt Begbie Brewing (Revelstoke) (6% ABV | 20 IBU)

This easy drinking winter ale is brewed with rich malts and subtle spices: cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and cocoa.

Available at government and private liquor stores, and the brewery. Found on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail.

 

Frozen Pond English Strong Ale by Silver Valley Brewing (Maple Ridge) (7.5% ABV | 40 IBU)
Rich and malty with hints of caramel, toffee, dark fruit, and treacle.

Available at the brewery only. We will be adding Maple Ridge to the BC Ale Trail in 2019.

 

Winter Beeracle Winter Ale by Dead Frog Brewing (Langley) (7% ABV | 24 IBU)

This winter warmer is a celebration of all the good things winter brings: complex beers, warm fires, close family, and good friends. It features flavours of dark chocolate, hazelnut and orange.

Available at government and private liquor stores, and the brewery Found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

 

Brix & Plato by Mount Arrowsmith Brewing (Parksville) (7.2% ABV | 20 IBU)

This rich, dark amber Belgian Dubbel is brewed with additions of organic cocoa nibs and orange peels, then finally aged with Shiraz-steeped oak staves, resulting in a festive, complex beer.

Available in privately owned liquor stores, and the brewery. Found on the Vancouver Island Ale Trail.

 

“Sessionable” Russian Imperial Stout by Trading Post Brewing (Langley) (8.5% ABV | 40 IBU)

Brewed in collaboration with Full Barrel Brewing, the brewery’s local Homebrew club, this “Sessionable” Imperial Stout produces big flavours while offering a low ABV for the style. The aroma of brown sugar and dried fruit combined with bourbon and oak create levels of complexity that delight the senses.

Available in privately owned liquor stores, and the brewery. Found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

 

Two special seasonal beers by Parallel 49 Brewing (Vancouver) that are ideal for cellaring:

Russian Imperial Stout (10.5% ABV) This whiskey-barrel aged Imperial Stout is warm, full-bodied and fit for a Czar.

Barley Wine (11.8% ABV) A showcase of malty richness and complex, intense aromas.

Available in privately owned liquor stores, and the brewery. Found on the Vancouver Ale Trail.

How NAFTA’s replacement could change the B.C. wine scene. Plus, Rioja!

Portugal, Rioja, Spain

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Pick of the Week: Confidencial Red, Lisboa, Portugal

Also on the show, we discussed three wines from the Rioja region of Spain:

•Lopez de Haro Crianza Rioja
•Vina Real Crianza Rioja
•Campo Viejo Reserva Rioja (2012)