Price: $19 Available at Everything Wine...
UPC: 894509005105
Score: 88/100 (for the '05 vintage)
Remarks: Good solid fruity earthy Zin for the money and well-balanced. We had this the other weekend with friends from the Difference Engine. As a pre-dinner aperitif with with crackers and strong cheese...it was delicious.
A couple of other zinfandel suggestions: Painter Bridge (about $14); Shenandoah an organic wine (about $20); Cline (about $20); 7 Deadly Zins (about $27), all from California, and all readily available in BC.
Some other red varietals that may interest you: Santa Rita Reserva Pinot Noir, from Chile ($15); perfect for your Christmas Turkey, Finca Los Primos Malbec from Argentina ($10); LoTengo Malbec from Argentina ($14); Jean Bousquet Malbec (organic grapes) from Argentina ($17); Espelt Saulo Garnacha from Spain ($15).
BLUE NUN RIESLING 2007, RHEINHESSEN, GERMANY
Price: $11
UPC: 4022025390030
Score: 87/100 and 89/100 from Wine Access
Remarks: Perfect for take-out Thai or Chinese. This is a category champion from the recent Wine Access Magazine's International Value Wine Awards. 'This wine has terrific varietal character and the Germanic hallmark of precisely balanced fruity ac
idity. Expressive lemon-lime and peach fruit punctuated by jazzy acid for a cleansing finish, this Riesling punches well above its weight'. A delicious pre-dinner wine.
Some other suggestions in this type of wine: Cono Sur Gewürztraminer from Chile ($11); Villa Maria Riesling from New Zealand($16); Cedar Creek Gewürztraminer from BC, ($18). Some other cool aromatic whites that may interest you; Castillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc (Castle of the Devil), from Chile ($13); Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva from Chile ($12); Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Five Vineyards from BC, ($16).
Price: $15.95
Score: 88/100 (for the '06 vintage)
'This is quintessential cool-climate New World Viognier from Chile’s Rapel Valley. Love the ginger melon mineral nose, the dry palate with mineral honey pink grapefruit notes and the general vibrancy of this wine'. We had this the other night with friends...it paired deliciously with BBQ pork. We also had this last year with our Christmas turkey and it was fabulous. A couple of other Viognier's for you to look for: Yalumba Y Series from Australia ($18), Clay Station from California ($20), Cono Sur Limited Reserve from Chile ($11).