Twist and Half Fill Your Glass

I say this now after travelling all summer, either working or on vacation, and discovering that finding a decent corkscrew and a well-designed wine glass way from my tasting bench was a challenge to say the least.

I did managed B.C. stops in Lantzville, Robert's Creek, Whistler and Penticton as well as an out-of-province sojourn to Southern Ontario's Niagara wine country and a final stop in the Thousand Islands.

Each visit involved a wine tasting or two and predictably, the biggest challenge was locating a working corkscrew and a decent wine glass. I should report there is no shortage of glasses in most house, cottages or cabins, but it's the design that counts.

Today's wine glasses come in all shapes and sizes but the most practical should contain 8 to 12 ounces of liquid, have a thin rim. Most important the bowl of the glass should be wider in the middle than at the top or bottom (to contain the bouquet and the wine).

If your wine glasses are less than 8 ounces and their shape resembles a "V", my advice is toss them into the recycle bin.

The glass is only half the battle. The corkscrew is the real nightmare. This summer I encountered at least 20 different corkscrews none of which got the job done with any certainty.

A waiter's corkscrew, with a knife, a long Teflon coated worm or screw, and a two-level lever for easy extraction is your best bet. It's the Teflon and the long screw that makes it work efficiently. If you do not have the strength for that, the original Screwpull opener is your best bet for home.

Better glasses and corkscrews can be found in most serious private wine shops so, take inventory, and go out and get yourself the proper tools to really enjoy your wine.

The fastest way to fix the corkscrew problem is to buy wine that comes with a twist-off screw cap. Despite overwhelming evidence that screwcaps are improving almost every wine sealed under listings are growing painfully slow in this market.

Today we look six very hip bottles, all a simple twist away from opening.

The Pepi Shiraz 2002 is a treat to sip. It's big, rich and dry with ripe black cherry fruit and spicy, sweet licorice root and plum pudding flavours. Great for parties and even better with duck or lamb shanks.

The Secret Stone Sauvignon Blanc 2004 out of Marlborough, New Zealand is a new label from Oz-based Foster's Wine Group. Look for a grassy, canned asparagus, mineral, green pepper nose with grapefruit rind, jalapeno, and gooseberry flavours with a tasty mineral undercurrent. Well made.

There's no rush to drink the verdelho grape in North America, which explains why is why you can only find the Lindemans Verdelho Reserve 2004 at Vij's Indian eatery on South Granville. Vikram Vij knows food and wine and this floral and aromatic white with splashes of watermelon and grapefruit is tailor-made for his spicy cuisine. It's only on the wine list at VJ's, but I'm sure this <$10 best buy wine will be a mainstream pick in local wine shops next summer.

I just love the austere character of the Nautilus Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2004 from Marlborough. Characteristically crisp and dry it has plenty of grassy, green apple, mineral, smoky jalapeno, flavours and while herbaceous, it's well balanced and flavourful. Those who like austere, zesty sauvignon will love this. It's the perfect oyster wine.

It's easy embrace the Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2002 from McLaren Vale with its spicy, vanilla, bacon crisp, blackberry jam nose. The entry is smooth and rich with blackberry jam and more spicy cedar vanilla, pepper and pencil lead flavours. Lots of flavour intensity but has a warm, slightly acidic finish. Attractive consumer style. Best of all it comes in screwcap.

One of the first New Zealand wineries I visited was Jackson Estate and I couldn't understand why its wines were never available in B.C. I soon learned they were sold out every year and if you wanted their wine you had to get in line. Well, they are here now and the Jackson Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2004, Marlborough edition is a winner with heaps of grapefruit, smoky jalapeno notes and grassy, gooseberry mineral flavours. The finish is crisp and stylish with just enough finesse to keep you sipping.

TWIST AND SHOUT:

Wine Pepi Shiraz 2002, California, United States
Price $19.95
UPC 086982002669
Score 88/100
Remarks    Sweet vanilla, smoky licorice root and plum pudding flavours.

Wine Secret Stone Sauvignon Blanc 2004, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Price $24.95
UPC 9311220086813
Score 88/100
Remarks    A crisp, jalapeno, grapefruit, gooseberry and mineral flavoured mussel wine.

Wine Lindemans Verdelho Reserve 2004, South Australia, Australia
Price $28.00
UPC 9311218117079
Score 88/100
Remarks    Exclusively on the wine list at Vij's in Vancouver.

Wine Nautilus Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2004, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Price $25.99
UPC 9416827004021
Score 88/100
Remarks    The perfect oyster wine.

Wine Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2002, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Price $29.95
UPC 836974000056
Score 89/100
Remarks    Blackberry jam with spicy cedar, vanilla and pepper streaks.

Wine Jackson Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2004, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Price $21.95
UPC 9416564981012
Score 89/100
Remarks    Classic grapefruit, canned asparagus, smoky jalapeno aromas and flavours.