< Previous#otred RUFFINO PROSECCOItaly $17.99 192153 Aromas of orchard fruits mixed with floral nuances of wisteria and elderflower characterize this fruity and fragrant Prosecco. Fine, persistent bubbles leave a soft, creamy, slightly off-dry finish. OLMECA ALTOS PLATA BLANCO TEQUILAMexico $35.99 762773 Produced, in part, using the traditional tahona process followed by distillation in small copper pot stills adds complexity to this blanco tequila. Expect citrusy, peppery and mineral notes with a lingering finish. POPLAR GROVE PINOT GRISBC VQA $18.99 196264 Delivering plenty of lush Fuji apple, apricot, pear, honeydew and honeysuckle notes with crisp acidity and satiny texture, this Pinot Gris is one of the most popular in the province for a good reason.48Pick up one of these super-hot products today! BUMBU CRAFT RUMBarbados $56.99 281451 Handcrafted using sugarcane sourced from eight countries and aged up to 15 years, this rum is exceptionally smooth, balanced and complex, with aromas of banana bread, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon and spice. SUNTORY WHISKY TOKIJapan $54.99 855445 Toki, meaning “time” in Japanese, celebrates heritage and innovation in this blend of malt and grain whiskies. It is balanced and full of finesse, with green apple, grapefruit, honey, ginger and mint notes. NUDE VODKA SODA PEACHCanada $12.49 135792 6 x 355 mlHandcrafted in BC, Nude Vodka Soda contains only 100 calories per can and is free of sugar, sweetener and gluten. This peach flavour is a great thirst-quencher for warm weather.49bcliquorstores.comA Aussie Aquaitace50In addition to producing wines that are distinctly Australian in style, winemakers there are now focusing on the regional expressions of their diverse terroir.It is no secret that when one thinks of Australian wine, Shiraz pops to mind. However, there is more to the land down under. Australia produces everything from traditionally made sparkling wines to unctuous fortified dessert stickies. In addition to producing wines that are distinctly Australian in style, winemakers there are now focusing on the regional expressions of their diverse terroir.Most of the country’s wine producing regions are along its southeastern corner. Smack in the centre of the southern part of the country is the region of South Australia, which also represents the heart of Australia’s wine industry. Moving east along the southern coast, the country is dotted with many noteworthy regions covering Victoria and New South Wales. In recent years, wine production has also been flourishing in the region of Western Australia at its southwestern corner. When you pick a bottle today, you might notice that most Australian wines are broadly labelled by their over-arching regional designations such as: South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria or Tasmania. However, within these, are regions that are particularly exceptional.With this lay of the land broadly drawn out, let’s navigate through the range of wine styles produced and identify the regions that are noteworthy.WHITE WINESChardonnay represents more than half of all of Australia’s white wine production. Margaret River is known for its lean, restrained styles that are often unoaked. Such elegant and finessed Chardonnays can also be found in Tasmania and Victoria, particularly in Yarra Valley. Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills. These regions are known for fuller-bodied, complex Chardonnays that are often barrel-fermented and matured in oak.While Sémillon is widely grown, those from Hunter Valley are exceptional. Younger Sémillons can be fresh and fruit-forward while mature ones deliver nutty, toasty and earthy nuances. Viognier also enjoys success as single varietals or in blends. The world’s thirst for Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are gaining ground here, literally, as more vineyards are being planted with them. As for Riesling, Clare Valley and Eden Valley are renowned for their dry, crisp expressions.RED WINESAs Australia’s favourite child, Shiraz can be found practically everywhere. Barossa is lauded for unapologetically bold and full-bodied Shiraz. Those from McLaren Vale are recognized for their elegance and finesse. Shiraz from cooler regions such as Adelaide Hills and Victoria, particularly Heathcote show pure fruit expressions with higher acidity.Whether featured in blends from Barossa to Langhorne Creek, or on their own, easy-drinking affordable options of Cabernet Sauvignon can be found just as well as award-winning collectibles. McLaren Vale, Barossa and Margaret River are most noteworthy. In Coonawarra however, Cabernet Sauvignon is the true baron of the land. This region’s distinct terra rossa soil favours this grape, producing cellar-worthy wines of great gravitas.Pinot Noir has recently seen a rise in the cool-climate regions of Victoria and Tasmania. Other notable red wine varieties include Grenache and Petit Verdot which are grown and produced in just about every wine region across South Australia.BLENDSAustralia’s ubiquitous red and white blends, reminiscent of European styles, are produced across the board in a range of price points. Australia is renowned for their powerful red blends inspired by Southern France’s Rhône Valley. These wines, which are the union of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, commonly known as GSM blends, 51bcliquorstores.comLARA VICTORIALara Victoria, DipWSET, CSW is a WSET Certified Educator. Her training as a chef, along with her extensive qualifications in wines, spirits and sake, make her a credible expert in food pairings. She teaches, judges and writes on these subjects internationally and is a hospitality consultant. See her work on www.laravictoria.com and follow her @laravictoria.cheers.are amongst Australia’s finest wines. While Barossa Valley is particularly known for these dark beauties, other parts of the country are also known to produce these blockbuster wines.SPARKLING AND FORTIFIEDIn addition to Sparkling Shiraz, Australia produces a whole range of sparkling wines. Victoria and Tasmania are known for their traditionally made bubbles of exceptional quality. No stranger to fortified wines, Australia produces many highly coveted Tawny-style wines, as well as their very own unique Topaque from Rutherglen.Australian wine expresses not only their regional characteristics but also the Australian innovative spirit, embracing new advances in winemaking along with a committed focus on environmentally sustainable practices. With so much (more than Shiraz) on offer, it is no wonder that the world is justifiably returning its attention to this country. Therefore mate, if you haven’t already given these wines a swirl lately, it’s time to get (re)acquainted with the wines of Australia. Cheers!Did you know?There are 65 wine regions in Australia with over 100 different grape varieties planted. Shiraz and Chardonnay are grown in every region.AN AUSSIE ACQUAINTANCE CONTINUED SERAFINO MCLAREN VALE SHIRAZAustralia $27.49 93260 Mulberry, blackberry and blueberry burst with notes of mocha, crushed pepper and oaky vanilla that are elegantly balanced with medium acidity in this full-bodied wine. PETER LEHMANN BAROSSA CLANCY’S RED BLENDAustralia $17.99 611467 Through supple tannins this medium-bodied pleaser reveals ripe plum and dark berry compote alongside soft herbaceous notes that lead to a gently spiced, rounded palate. WOLF BLASS COONAWARRA GOLD LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNONAustralia $26.49 120840 Reflecting Coonawarra, this wine offers a savoury expression of plum, cassis, minty chocolate, licorice and a hint of earthy umami with layered complexity and balance. TYRRELL’S HEATHCOTE RUFUS STONE SHIRAZAustralia $26.99 153056 Experience this cooler-climate Aussie Shiraz with well-balanced, restrained elegance that exudes dark chocolate, blackberries, plum, mint, toasty vanilla and crushed peppercorns along with silky tannins. ROSEMOUNT TRAMINER RIESLINGAustralia $13.29 244301 Mouth-watering tropical notes of lychee with honeydew melon, lime and tangy ginger make this aromatic, off-dry, refreshing blend a delightful companion alongside spicy Asian cuisine. YALUMBA Y SERIES VIOGNIERAustralia $17.49 624502 Aromas of honeysuckle and melon lead to lip-smacking juicy white peaches, lychee and white tea that gush on the palate with medium acidity and body.53bcliquorstores.comMexica FiestaMexica FiestaPork Carnitas Tostadas served with Blood Orange Sangria54ingredient in Blood Orange Sangria THE BEND IN THE RIVER RIESLINGGermany $12.99 501080 Named after the Rhine River, this Riesling is light, juicy and tangy, with aromas and flavours of grapefruit, lemon, peach, passion fruit and pineapple. A mineral note lingers on the finish.ingredient in Blood Orange Sangria JAUME SERRA CRISTALINO CAVA BRUTSpain $13.99 551218 Made using the traditional Champagne method, this terrific value Cava is dry and crisply acidic, with a mineral-laced underpinning and flavours of citrus, green apple, pear and a hint of lees.Stuffed Poblano Pepperspairs with Pork Carnitas Tostadas TRIVENTO TRIBU MALBECArgentina $13.99 870527 Shockingly good for the price, this Malbec delivers fresh blueberry, plum, cherry, spice and floral notes on a supple palate with soft, sweet tannins and juicy acidity. A great wine for entertaining!55for recipes, see index on page 108bcliquorstores.comNATHAN FONGAwarded the inaugural IACP/Julia Child Award of Excellence for Food Styling, Nathan is also an internationally published food and travel journalist, and television and radio contributor. His work has appeared in The Vancouver Sun, Cooking Light, Men’s Health, Enroute and WestJet magazines.pairs with Grilled Fish SANDHILL PINOT GRISBC VQA $18.99 169060 Honeydew melon, Bartlett pear, apple, peach and honeysuckle aromas flow to a medium-bodied palate with a slightly rich and oily mouth feel that is perfectly balanced by a refreshing splash of acidity.pairs with Grilled Fish EL PETIT BONHOMME RUEDA VERDEJOSpain $14.99 79046 Canadian winemaker Nathalie Bonhomme is behind this vibrant Verdejo made from 50-year-old vines. Tangy stone fruit, mango, pineapple and citrus flavours come together on a plump and bouncy palate.pairs with Pork Carnitas Tostadas CORONA EXTRAMexico $13.79 186510 6 x 330 mlBrewed and bottled in Mexico since 1925, this iconic beer is recognized worldwide for its grassy hop aroma, light, refreshing taste and softly bitter finish. Serve this summer favourite with a lime wedge.pairs with Stuffed Poblano Peppers DOS EQUIS XX ESPECIAL LAGERMexico $13.79 156174 6 x 355 mlA lager that drinks like a pilsner, this golden beer is light-bodied, crisp and refreshing, with frothy carbonation and a biscuit-like malt flavour that finishes balanced and clean.pairs with Stuffed Poblano Peppers VILLA MARIA MARLBOROUGH PRIVATE BIN SAUVIGNON BLANCNew Zealand $19.29 342360 Ripe, aromatic and expressive, this wine encapsulates what has made Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc so successful over the years. Expect invigorating grapefruit, passion fruit and gooseberry flavours with racy acidity.Grilled Fish served with Tomatillo Salsa and Pickled Red Onions57for recipes, see index on page 108bcliquorstores.comMEXICAN FIESTA CONTINUEDNext >