As we hurtle along toward 2012 and the completion of the 2011 vintage, a little round-up of some of the latest news items from around the world of wine, each with a recommended bottle tacked onto them.
Germany: It looks like the State Parliament of the Rheinland-Pfalz has made its call and is going ahead with the construction of a massive bridge and highway straight through the Mosel River wine region, affecting everything from serenity to ecological balance. The picturesque Mosel is home to globally-respected wine legends, Selbachs, Loosens and the like, and is also recovering from an epic hailstorm this summer which in some cases wiped out 40 per cent of this years fruit.
St Urbans-Hof 2009 Riesling | Mosel, Germany | $19.99 | BC Liquor Stores
With hints of nectarines, apple skin, limes and honey try this wine with curries, spicy wings or Mexican fare.
Australia: Western Coal, a Canadian mining company, has its sights set on exploration mining in Western Australias stunning Margaret River wine country. Save our Southwest, a local agricultural-community coalition, is seeking an injunction to prevent the project from breaking ground.
Sandalford 2009 Classic Dry White | Margaret River, Australia | $25 | Private Wine Stores
A blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc thats so fresh and juicy, youll be wiping your chin after each sip. Gooseberry, pear, lemonade and a touch of white pepper will complement grilled salmon, halibut or scallops.
Spain: The Regulatory Council of the Penedès DO, home to the majority of Spains sparkling wines, are in the proposal phase of separating the region into five or six sub-appellations. This would be a good thing for label clarity as to which of the areas diverse microclimates your wine hails from, be it seaside valleys or 800 metres up in the mountains. Changes could come as soon as mid-2012.
Pares Balta 2009 Blanc de Pacs | Penedès, Spain | $22 |Private Wine Stores
Try this organic still-wine version of Pares Baltas popular Cava Brut. The blend of Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo results in a very dry refresher of lemongrass, lime rind and crisp minerality thatll have you shucking oysters in no time.
British Columbia: Okanagan MP Dan Albas has introduced private members bill, Bill C-311, looking to overhaul the current law that prohibits inter-provincial wine shipping. This is fantastic news for consumers looking to order wine from out-of-province wineries and those who think its ridiculous that crossing the BC/Alberta border with a bottle of wine in the trunk is a criminal offence. Keep tabs on this one at FreeMyGrapes.ca
Van Westen Vineyards 2010 Vivacious |Naramata, BC | $19 |Private Wine Stores
This third-generation Naramata farmers blend of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris has all the usual citrus elements, plus blood orange, kaffir lime leaf and evidence of the regions mineral-rich soil. This one will keep your summer going, even as you heat up chicken pot pie or have a second helping of butternut squash soup.
Visit KurtisKolt.com for links, news and notes from the wine world.
