Prepping for the Playhouse

On March 16, the spot to be is Le Gavroche, where your host Manuel Ferreira will mix and mingle the wines of California and Australia at Romancing the Grape. Pinot noir, merlot and chardonnay will flow freely courtesy of three Sonoma County superstars: Cambria Estate, Gloria Ferrer and Matanzas Creek. The Oz connection is none other than Yellow Tail, the runaway, home-wine hit consumers can't get enough of. New World wine and classic French cuisine -- this one is a winner. It's $125.

On March 17, California Zin-a-Go-Go shines the spotlight on California's "mystery" grape, the red and robust Zinfandel. This event is at Sugar and Sugar in Gastown, Vancouver's newest private lounge with two storeys of contemporary urban art. An evening of music, food and a variety of zinfandel tasting stations designed to appeal to the young discerning oenophile (okay, old folks are welcome too). It's $49.

On March 18, What's in a Grape? Discover Syrah/Shiraz will feature a panel led by scientist/winemaker Nerida Abbott, a bona fide syrah/shiraz expert with a PhD on the subject to prove it. The tasting precedes the opening of the international tasting room at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, giving you a chance to fine-tune your tastebuds prior to your tour of the big room. It's $55.

Over the Top with Down Under Wines happens March 19, and will feature 12 icon wines presented by Southcorps' Matthew Lane, 2001 Sommelier of the Year in Australia. The stellar lineup includes the likes of Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay, Grange, St. Henri, RWT, Rosemount Roxburgh, Robert Mondavi/Rosemount Estate Talomas Kirralaa and much more. This tasting also precedes the opening of the international tasting room at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. Bites to eat are courtesy of the centre's chef, Blair Rasmussen. It's $95.

On March 20, The Best of Napa and Sonoma -- A Terroir of Two Valleys is the tasting to attend at the convention centre. Napa and Sonoma have spawned a large array of sub-appellations and top-flight wines such as Signorello Vineyard Il Padrone, Kendall-Jackson Great Estates Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Pine Ridge Andrus Reserve, Chateau Ste. Jean Cinq Cepages, Rodney Strong Symmetry Sterling Vineyards Reserve Merlot, Matanzas Creek Reserve Merlot and much more. Fine Riedel stemware will be used. It's $75.

Should any of the preceding events interest you, my advice is to phone the Playhouse at 604-873-3311 or Ticketmaster at 604-280-3311 as soon as possible to secure a ticket.

When you finally get to the tasting room, one of this week's feature wineries, Kim Crawford, will be pouring its wine. You won't find Canyon Road at the Playhouse, but its parent company, Geyser Peak, will be there pouring its premium labels.

Canyon Road was launched many years ago as budget brand, but over time improvements in grape sources, winemaking and technology have all help to improve the quality/price ratio of the brand.

A good example is the Canyon Road Merlot 2001 with its smoky, leafy warm compost nose with black cherry fruit undertones. The flavours mix light, dry, cedary notes with smoky, licorice, black cherry flavours and a peppery, olive finish. Sound, if a bit acidic on the finish.

The Canyon Road Sauvignon Blanc 2002 has a buttery, nutty, grapefruit nose with green peach and kiwi aromas. It is round and soft on entry with bitter grapefruit rind, bell pepper and kiwi flavours with some buttery notes. Fresh and lively on the finish. Excellent value.

You can taste the Geyser Peak hand in the Canyon Road Shiraz 2001, a delicious well-made red. There's a firm line of acidity in an otherwise smooth leathery wine with spicy, gamy, black fruit flavours. Good value.

Now to New Zealand. One of the most consistent wines in our market is the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2003 with its delicious passion fruit, canned jalapeno and melon aromas flecked with mineral and chalky notes. It has a zingy, dry entry and an elegant structure. The flavours are a mix of grapefruit rind, passion fruit and jalapeno flavours with a clean fresh, delicate finish.

Smoky, toasted oak, barnyard compost aromas with peppery, black cherry and clove mark the nose of the Kim Crawford Pinot Noir. It is soft, round and easy drinking with toasty, spicy oak, black cherry, licorice flavours. A clean, light, fresh, drinkable pinot at an affordable price.

The finale, Kim Crawford Merlot Te Awanga Vineyard 2002, opens with a smoky, resiny note mixed with bell pepper, olive, clove and leather aromas. The entry is dry and silky with similar smoky, mocha, roasted bell pepper flavours flecked with mint, vanilla flavours. The finish is clean and fresh.

All three Kim Crawford wines come with screwcap closures, leaving them fresh and clean, not to mention making them simple to open and store.

Weekend Wine Tasting: Canyon Road, California and Kim Crawford, New Zealand

Wine Canyon Road Sauvignon Blanc 2002, California
Price $13.38
UPC 083417043204
Score 14.5/20
Remarks Grapefruit, green peach and kiwi flavours streaked with buttery.

Wine Canyon Road Merlot 2001, California
Price $14.43
UPC 083417054200
Score 14/20
Remarks Smoky, licorice, black cherry flavours.

Wine Canyon Road Shiraz 2001, California
Price $14.43
UPC 083417055207
Score 14.5/20
Remarks A medium weight red that will shine by-the-glass.

Wine Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2003, Marlborough, New Zealand
Price $24.61
UPC 9419227001256
Score 15.5/20
Remarks Zingy, with grapefruit rind, passion fruit and jalapeno flavours.

Wine Kim Crawford Pinot Noir 2002, Marlborough, New Zealand
Price $23.99 *
UPC 689352009680
Score 15.5/20
Remarks Clean, light fresh, drinkable pinot at an affordable price.

Wine Kim Crawford Merlot Te Awanga Vineyard 2002, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Price $28.99 **
UPC 689352009673
Score 15/20
Remarks Smoky, mocha, roasted bell pepper flecked with mint and vanilla.

* Coming in the Fall
** Sold in Private Wine Shops or represented by Atlas Wine Merchants