< PreviousADVISIT SYLRANCH.COMPlease enjoy responsibly.Our founder, Major Hugh Fraser, had a very straight forward philosophy when it came to the eventual success of See Ya Later Ranch. He’d say, “just make great wine and they will come.” Turns out he was right. So, to all those who love wine as much as we do, our gate is always open.BOWLS FOR THE SOUL CONTINUEDpairs with Wonton Soup ORMARINE LANGUEDOC PICPOUL DE PINETFrance $17.99 124834 This lithe, light-bodied Picpoul de Pinet is a fine accompaniment to the wonton soup, starter courses or served on its own as an aperitif. It offers quaffable notes of citrus peel, pomelo, peach skin, quince and saline minerality.pairs with Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup QUAILS’ GATE GEWÜRZTRAMINERBC VQA $16.99 585745 Perfumed aromas of rose water, lychee, Asian pear, ginger and exotic spice mark the nose of this beautiful Gewürztraminer. On the palate, off-dry flavours of stone fruit and grapefruit are balanced by juicy acidity.pairs with Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup DOMAINE HOUCHART PROVENCE ROSÉFrance $19.99 252338 With its classic pale hue and distinctive bottle shape, Houchart is the year-round Provence rosé. It is delicate and fresh, with notes of red berry fruits, apricot and citrus that linger on the finish.Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup59for recipes, see index on page 96bcliquorstores.com#otred CENTRAL CITY RED RACER REIGN OF HOPS MIX PACKCanada $21.99 170741 12 x 500 mlPale ale fans will enjoy this aptly named mix pack from Red Racer, which includes their IPA, Session IPA, Super Solar IPA and Northwest Pale Ale. Expect hops, hops and more hops! MEIOMI PINOT NOIRUSA $28.99 278937 Enticing aromas of ripe black cherry, blueberry pie, plum, mocha and vanilla lead to a medium-bodied palate with silky, supple tannins and a long, harmonious finish. Try with duck or turkey. TITO’S HANDMADE VODKAUSA $34.49 65011 This corn-based vodka is distilled six times over using old-fashioned pot stills. It has fresh aromas, a smooth, creamy mouth feel and a clean finish, making it perfect for sipping or mixing in cocktails.60Pick up one of these super-hot products today! WILD GOOSE AUTUMN GOLDBC VQA $18.99 414755 A blend of equal parts Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Blanc, this BC gem offers honey-tinged notes of apricot, apple, pear and tangerine with hints of spice, ginger and rose, all underscored by lively acidity. JOSH CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNONUSA $19.99 850073 A killer value among California Cabernets, this wine delivers loads of cassis, plum, black cherry, vanilla and toasty spice in a lush, medium- to full-bodied profile with juicy acidity and a long, velvety finish. LEMON HART BLACKPOOL SPICED RUMGuyana $29.99 385328 Meet your new favourite rum. Blackpool is a beautifully crafted spiced rum with notes of exotic dried fruit, island spices, vanilla bean, toffee and butterscotch. A gentle hint of bourbon oak lingers on the finish.61bcliquorstores.comDark Beer10162…don’t be fooled into thinking a beer’s colour dictates its taste and flavour profile… even within the dark-coloured spectrum of brews, there is a plenitude of beer styles.Here’s a question: how does the beer in your glass get its colour? In short, it’s chemistry! Specifically, a beer’s colour is largely the result of two chemical reactions: the Maillard reaction and caramelization. Indeed, thanks to a little science in the brewing process, those yellow-to-golden grains get turned into fifty shades of – ahem – darker colours, and the beer world is all the more delicious for it! The Maillard reaction is the magic that occurs between amino acids and sugar in the presence of heat. And if that sounds complicated or decidedly not palatable, take a moment to consider a searing steak, a cookie baking a golden crust, or a pan-fried dumpling getting crisp. That is the sound (and colour and texture) of flavour being developed, and it’s thanks to the Maillard reaction. Caramelization is like the Maillard reaction taken to the next level – more heat and higher temperatures that actually brown sugars, imparting whole other levels of flavour (technically, the sugars are breaking apart during caramelization).So how does this relate to beer? Well, a beer’s foundation is malted grains. The malting process starts with soaking grains to encourage germination (all the better for starch development and hence sugar-into-alcohol fermentation). But at some point, germination must be quelled, and this quelling is undertaken with heat. The more heat applied, the more the Maillard reaction and caramelization come into play – and the more colour the malt takes on. And well, the colour of the malt used in the brewing process is a prime harbinger of the final colour of the beer in a glass. After all, there is a reason dark malts are commonly known as chocolate or caramel malts! But don’t be fooled into thinking a beer’s colour dictates its taste and flavour profile. To be sure, roasted malts and the impact of caramelization can typically prelude more roasted, malty, chocolate and coffee notes (to name but a few common descriptors of dark-coloured beer). However, even within the dark-coloured spectrum of brews, there is a plenitude of beer styles. A dark lager, after all, is still brewed following the bottom-fermented, low-temperature lagering process. This inherently leads to a lighter, crisper beer overall, but with toasty and roasted notes. On the other hand, stouts are appropriately known as beers that eat like a meal – heart-of-darkness like suds that can be so dense and opaque that nary a drop of light can pass through the pint glass. Ultimately, just as a book should not be judged by its cover, nor should a beer be judged by its colour. That said, science and chemistry cannot be discounted, and the Maillard reaction and caramelization return to remind that roasting and browning inherently lend themselves to more toasty, robust and deeper flavours overall. Just the sort of flavours, in fact, that pair so well with the robust and more comforting dishes of fall; which is why now is the time to seek out black lagers, red and brown ales, porters and stouts and other darker-coloured beers lining BC Liquor Store shelves.63bcliquorstores.comby James NevisonDARK BEER 101 CONTINUEDTHE BEER GEEK PROGRAM Select BC Liquor Stores across the province offer a rotating selection of new, exciting and rare beers. Available only for the season and in limited quantities, these beers tend to be quite unique, intriguing and experimental in style, reflecting some of the most exciting trends and innovations in the craft beer industry. Whether you are an experienced craft beer drinker, a budding enthusiast or someone looking to try something new, there is something for everyone in the Beer Geek Program.Watch for new products coming to select stores this fall. VANCOUVER ISLAND DOMINION DARK LAGERCanada $11.99 902320 6 x 341 mlUnsurprisingly, this Schwarzbier, or “black beer,” pours opaque and dark as a night sky and features notes of coffee and chocolate, but with a crisp lager backbone. PARALLEL 49 RUBY TEARS NORTHWEST RED ALECanada $11.99 699447 6 x 355 mlRuby Tears employs a bevy of West Coast hops in an assertive, robust style, full of caramel and malt on the mid-palate with a hoppy, lip-smacking finish. NELSON AFTER DARK ORGANIC BROWN ALECanada $11.99 844118 6 x 355 mlMade with organically grown chocolate malts, this organic brown ale pours a deep brown and offers up easygoing goodness with nuances of dark fruit, cocoa, and a hint of roasted sweetness. HOWE SOUND RAIL ALE NUT BROWNCanada $7.99 698043 1 LPouring a fetching mahogany, this American brown ale comes across rich, almost creamy, with chocolate notes and an as-advertised nuttiness through a smooth finish. HOYNE DARK MATTERCanada $5.99 948398 650 mlWith nice toasty, roasted notes and assertive hops, this deep brown-black ale dances on the tongue while rousing the cockles before a fresh but malty finish. RUSSELL A WEE ANGRY SCOTCH ALECanada $5.49 878009 650 mlThis full-bodied ale doesn’t shy from the caramel and roasted malt notes, with ample dried fruit to boot. This is comfort beer, made to pair with comfort food.65bcliquorstores.comA Kiss of CocoaCocoa Pasta with Wild Mushrooms66pairs with Chocolate and Rosemary Short Ribs E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNEFrance $24.99 259721 A superb value year after year, this Syrah-dominated blend delivers classic Southern Rhône notes of plum, cassis and mulberry as well as savoury hints of leather and spice with full-bodied richness and polished tannins.pairs with Cocoa Pasta with Wild Mushrooms FONTANAFREDDA BAROLOItaly $39.99 20214 Dried rose petals, leather, eucalyptus, tar and truffle notes frame the core of red cherry, plum and wild berry in this beautifully complex Barolo that is dark and brooding, yet elegant in style.pairs with Cocoa Pasta with Wild Mushrooms LA CREMA SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIRUSA $35.99 366930 Mouth-filling flavours of black cherry, raspberry and plum are plush and loaded with spicy richness. Cream and chocolate elements flood the long, rich finish, along with hints of earth and sweet tobacco.Chocolate and Rosemary Short Ribs67bcliquorstores.com for recipes, see index on page 96recipes and food styling by Lawren MonetaNext >