TASTE_Fall2023

| STOMPING IN STYLE |

The Wurstmarkt, held in Bad Dürkheim (in the Pfalz wine region), attracts about 750,000 visitors over two weekends in September. This festival goes back 600 years, when farmers gathered to sell their harvest to pilgrims heading to the chapel beyond town. But the Romans were making wine in the area well before that, as the remains of a recently excavated winery have revealed. If Wurstmarkt sounds like it might involve sausage, you’re right! Even so, this festival is all about wine, with some 140 wineries participating. The fair’s centrepiece is a giant cask, and a special 500 ml goblet is artfully designed to prevent it from being dropped. BC, OKANAGAN Back here in BC, we too know how to mark the harvest in style. Now in its 38 th year, the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival is a hugely successful tourist draw. Not to be outdone, its smaller, one-day-only cousin, Oliver’s Festival of the Grape, attracts some 4,500 people. The highlight is a wild and wacky grape stomp, where crazily costumed teams compete for the Wine Capital of Canada’s most coveted trophy! FALL WINE FESTIVAL & FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE

LAURENZ V. SINGING GRÜNER VELTLINER Austria $23.99 458034

LOUIS JADOT BEAUJOLAIS- VILLAGES COMBE AUX JACQUES France $29.99 469924 This light- to medium-bodied Gamay invites with fresh cherry and spice aromas before a well-balanced palate with peppery notes and a slightly savoury edge.

An excellent example of this quintessential Austrian variety sports orchard and stone fruit aromas before a juicy palate with hallmark white pepper through the close.

MASCOTA UNÁNIME GRAN VINO TINTO Argentina $29.99 814822

GNARLED VINE CABERNET SAUVIGNON USA $17.99 780315 This good-value Cabernet, with a touch of Zinfandel, from the hot San Joaquin Valley delivers juicy cassis and cedar notes with bright berry fruit through a lengthy end.

This blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with Malbec and Cabernet Franc complex layers of red and black fruit wrapped in well- integrated tannins. punches above its weight with

GEHRINGER BROTHERS PRIVATE RESERVE

BAROSSA VALLEY ESTATE BAROSSA SHIRAZ Australia $22.49 428946 Lifted notes of black fruit, spice and vanilla lead to a supple plum and dark berry palate with approachable tannins. This wine is ideal for braised meats or barbecue.

PINOT GRIS BC VQA $18.99 347203

P.J. VALCKENBERG GEWÜRZTRAMINER Germany $23.99 541573 Classic, correct varietal style yields up front floral notes before rose petal and white pepper on the palate. Perfect with grilled pork sausage or mildly spiced dishes.

A crisp Pinot Grigio- style sports orchard fruit and citrus aromas before an apple, pear and zesty palate wrapped in juicy acidity. Very versatile for pairing with fresh seafood or grilled chicken.

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