< PreviousPlease enjoy our wines responsibly.© 2019 Ruffino Import Company, Rutherford, CASAVOURY PASTRIES CONTINUEDpairs with Chicken and Leek Pot Pies LOUIS LATOUR BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAYFrance $25.99 55533 Apple, pear, lemon, vanilla cream and hazelnut aromas emerge on the nose of this stylish white Burgundy. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a slightly rich texture and a fine line of acidity.pairs with Chicken and Leek Pot Pies MISSION HILL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANCBC VQA $21.99 388629 A small portion of this Sauvignon Blanc was aged in French oak, of which 30 percent was new. It is a beautifully balanced wine with notes of lemon drop, lime zest, lemongrass and a hint of vanilla.pairs with Braised Beef Vol-au-Vent BLACK SAGE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANCBC VQA $26.49 593038 Dried sage, smoky mocha, vanilla and spice accents frame the core of blueberry, plum and black cherry flavours in this beautifully rich, ripe style of Cabernet Franc. Enjoy with beef or mushroom dishes.Chicken and Leek Pot Pies19bcliquorstores.comfor recipes, see index on page 96Find out what everyone is talking aboutNEW SUNTORY ROKU GINJapan $44.99 211842 Roku takes a distinctly Japanese spin on gin by adding sansho pepper, sencha and Gyokuro tea, yuzu, and sakura leaf and flower to the classic botanical mix. SCARPETTA FRICO LAMBRUSCOItaly $19.99 186062 4 x 250 mlAn Italian sparkling wine in a can, this Lambrusco is vibrant, with a kiss of sweetness and a wonderful tart finish. Expect notes of redcurrent, strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate and plum. THE AUDACITY OF THOMAS G. BRIGHT CHARDONNAYCanada $16.99 171929 Golden-hued, bold and a little bit racy, this Okanagan Chardonnay is enriched with a touch of sunny vineyard sweetness. Try it with roast chicken.20Try these before everyone knows they’re cool. STERLING VINEYARDS WEST COAST CABERNET SAUVIGNONUSA $21.99 218019 Plum, black cherry, boysenberry and blackberry flavours, accented by hints of mocha, vanilla and lavender, mark this medium- to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with ripe tannins and a seamless finish. PRINCE IGOR EXTREME VODKACanada $22.99 767855 Quadruple-distilled and ice-filtered for utmost purity, this vodka has delicate aromas, a soft texture and a clean finish that is perfect for sipping or mixing. MARIA BONITA VINHO VERDEPortugal $14.99 185986 Vinho Verde, meaning “green wine,” is Portugal’s most popular white wine. Made to be enjoyed early and fresh, this wine has light, lean and wispy flavours of citrus fruits and flowers with a crisp finish.21bcliquorstores.comSip Through the Seaso22It’s time to get comfy, turn up the heat, embrace fall’s fare and ease into heartier wines. After the long days of summer and post backyard barbecues, get-togethers and road trips, September can be a blessing. No longer trying to cram as much as possible into each day, we’re happy for a reprieve – to slide back into our routine, like a treasured pair of slippers.Our favourite television series return, and the nights cool down, even as the days founder, trying in vain to hold on to the waning heat after the demise of the dog days of summer. It’s time to get comfy, turn up the heat, embrace fall’s fare and ease into heartier wines. SEPTEMBERNo matter how old we get, September means back to school, new clothes and shoes and the anticipation of more days tucked indoors. This month really is the transition between summer and fall; it gently lulls us into shorter, less energetic days.Likewise, our choices in wine for September evolve; they are still reminiscent of the juicy wines we prefer in the summer, but perhaps just a little fuller-bodied. Gamay fits the bill admirably, whether you choose one from its birthplace of Beaujolais in France, or one made here in British Columbia. Finally enjoying its well-deserved moment, Gamay is receiving a litany of support from wine lovers around the world (check out #gogamaygo on Twitter). And why not? Gamay, France’s underdog (the Pinot Noirs from Beaujolais’ neighbour Burgundy get all the publicity), is delicious; it is fruity, light-ish in body and floral. And when September blesses us with the odd day of late-season warmth, it tastes fantastic with a slight chill.Here in BC, we also take our Gamays seriously; there are excellent examples for you to delve into – be they light or medium-bodied versions.Additionally, the heartbreak grape known as Pinot Noir also merits a place at your table for any September meal (or the rest of the year, for that matter). Like Gamay, it pairs exceedingly well with fall-type fare such as mushrooms, sweet squash, beets and turkey – which brings us to October.OCTOBERWe are now fully entrenched in fall. The leaves, golden, red and amber, ceaselessly drift downward, creating a crunchy carpet under our feet. The days, now chillier, have us reaching for lofty sweaters; the nights have us seeking generous liquids, wines to embrace the season and welcome the Thanksgiving holiday. When it comes to traditional Thanksgiving feasts, rich whites such as fleshy Rhône blends (think Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne) are exceptional; buttery Chardonnays are too. The Pinots (Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir) are also exceedingly well suited to the cornucopia of October, as are Cabernet Francs from BC or the Loire Valley. And, as the month marches on toward November, and carb-loading becomes commonplace, consider a Sangiovese, be it from Chianti or Chianti Classico, to partner with your heaping bowl of pasta pomodoro.NOVEMBERBrrrr. Summer is now a distant memory, as cold winds, driving rain, and progressively shorter days see us bundled up in scarves and coats while outdoors, and perched fireside within. Stick-to-your-ribs dishes such as beef stews and hearty bean chili call for boldly flavoured, robust and spicy reds like Zinfandel or Shiraz. 23bcliquorstores.comDAENNA VAN MULLIGENDaenna Van Mulligen is a Vancouver-based wine journalist, but is typically found in the world’s vineyards. She is also a wine judge, accredited sommelier and international speaker. Daenna is publisher of the long-running websites WineDiva.ca and Winescores.ca. She has been published in numerous local and internationally distributed publications and is a regular contributor to Vines Magazine and, more recently, Montecristo Magazine. Follow her @thewinediva.Did you know?Gamay is the predominant grape variety used in red Beaujolais.SIP THROUGH THE SEASON CONTINUEDCabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style red blends will do in a pinch too. Yet, perhaps the most brawny of red table wines, one guaranteed to warm your belly, is Amarone from northern Italy’s Valpolicella region. Made from a blend of indigenous grapes (Corvina, Rondinella and others, including Corvinone and Molinara) that have been dried to add concentration, Amarone (and its little brother Ripasso) are seductively weighty and plush. Pair these with game meats, roasted portobello mushrooms, grilled eggplant and pungent hard cheeses.Whatever your dish or occasion, there is a wine to suit. Sometimes it is as simple as what you are in the mood for. Whichever bottle you choose, pour a glass, snuggle in and get warm. TEDESCHI DELLA VALPOLICELLA AMARONEItaly $56.99 110312 Expect aromas of dried cherries, blueberries, tea leaf, fine spices and a bouquet of roses and violets. A sweet glycerol character and a chocolatey finish describe the palate. CHÂTEAU DE PIERREUX BROUILLYFrance $19.99 161117 This cru Beaujolais delivers delightful aromas of raspberry, licorice and rose petals with plump, purple grapes that roll into an expressive, juicy and energetic palate. TANTALUS PINOT NOIRBC VQA $29.99 200881 A sweet and savoury wine with cherries, botanicals, fine spice and woodsy notes. It is a stylish, juicy but complex red with expressive fruit. RICASOLI BROLIO CHIANTI CLASSICOItaly $29.99 3962 Aromas of cherries and dried roses, earth, leather and vanilla lead to a supple and rich palate laden with spice, cocoa and espresso. MER SOLEIL SANTA LUCIA RESERVE CHARDONNAYUSA $34.99 453142 Yellow apples, acacia, honey and creamed butter aromas lead to a creamy palate with spiced nuts and vanilla flavours. It’s on-point and satisfying. M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANCFrance $17.99 175042 Clean and tangy notes of golden fruits, beeswax, dried flowers and oyster shell lead to a precise and mouth-watering palate, which trails lime across the finish.25bcliquorstores.comSign up today! bcliquorstores.com/enewsBe in the Knowwww.bcliquorstores.comMore for Your Pour5 Under $15 MISSION HILL FIVE VINEYARDS PINOT GRIGIOBC VQA $14.99 563981 This is quintessential BC Pinot Grigio, with its peachy hue and delightful notes of Okanagan tree fruits, exotic citrus, honey and wildflowers that finish crisp and tangy. Enjoy with West Coast cuisine. RIGAMAROLE REDBC VQA $13.99 818641 Aromas of plums, cherries and dark berries with added wafts of vanilla, bittersweet chocolate and dried herbs characterize this BC red blend. Medium-bodied with a velvety finish, this wine will pair nicely with grilled steak or pasta. CONO SUR CASABLANCA RESERVA ESPECIAL SAUVIGNON BLANCChile $14.99 615369 With layered notes of grapefruit, gooseberry, green pepper, minerality and delicate herbs that linger over a mouth-watering finish, this exceptional Sauvignon Blanc is an incredible value! Sip with seafood. FLAGSTONE POETRY CABERNET SAUVIGNONSouth Africa $12.99 315069 Over-delivering for the price, this delicious Cabernet Sauvignon offers notes of blackberry, black cherry and mocha with herbal, floral and spicy undertones on a fresh, balanced and medium-bodied palate. PAUL MAS PAYS D’OC VIOGNIERFrance $13.99 151100 This fragrant beauty from the South of France has a floral-infused bouquet and succulent summer fruit flavours with flecks of pineapple and ginger. The palate is medium-bodied with a plush texture.27bcliquorstores.comNext >