B.C. Wine Tasting

Filed in archive Canadian Wines on November 19, 2006

You don't have to be Canadian to enjoy a tasty bottle of Riesling. Or, at least, I'd like to think so considering I live thousands of miles away from Canada.

But, according to the North Shore News, it helps:

Short of hopping a plane to Strasbourg, there are few better ways to discover the joys of Alsace than a visit to Le Crocodile, particularly with two of the region's leading wineries as hosts.

Alsatian wines remain some of the best valued, under-appreciated bottles you can find on local shelves - a curious thing really, especially when you consider that it's often just an easy step from drinking B.C.

With a good part of the Okanagan grounded in cool climate varieties, it's interesting to taste the likes of Riesling, Gewurz, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris from a part of the world that's had more than a few centuries practice.

Pfaffenheim and Dopf & Irion are know for making clean, fruit expressions that may remind you of better B.C. labels - although quite often with a more textured palate.

And, as this tasting showed, these mid-range Alsatians can often yield some more complex, mineral nuances (particularly with Riesling) that we don't always see from the Okanagan.

At least, not yet.

Mix in the deft hand of Le Crocodile owner-chef Michel Jacob, with some superlative dishes, and you have the recipe for a perfect soir'e - along with some pointers as to what works well when pairing plates at home, perhaps for the holiday season right around the corner.