Victoria's Symphony of Wine

One of the people helping to push for change is Axel Binneboese, food and beverage director of the Fairmont Empress. Not surprisingly, Binneboese has turned to food and wine to extend the fall tourism season and he's invited some 25 internationally renowned wineries (including three from B.C.) to the wine festival at the Empress Nov. 2 through 4. If you can't make it to Victoria, here's a quick look at just six of the wines being poured that weekend. The BRL Hardys booth will be pouring the 1998 Tintara Shiraz -- a vintage star. Look for ripe, black cherry fruit, vanilla smoke and a lovely supple texture in this delicious red. Burgundy superstar Antonin Rodet returns to B.C. to open some super premium labels but don't miss the Givry Domaine de La Ferte in B.C. liquor stores. It has a classic cherry, barnyard, carrot top nose, plummy fruit and a firm dry finish. Perfect pinot for the price. Things are happening at Batasiolo (Piedmont, Italy) where after a several disappointing years the quality of wines is beginning to turn around. The "Sovrana" Barbera d'Alba is a single vineyard wine aged in oak and blessed with cherry kirsch, earthy, tarry nose and soft and forward roasted plum, cherry and tar flavours. Don't miss the Carmen 2000 Reserve with its rich toasted lees nose and butter and honey flavours. It is fine value. A favourite stop at any festival is Portugal's Quinta do Crasto. The 1998 Douro Tinto is a big, dry red perfectly suited to fall and winter weather. Look for ripe cherry, plum fruit in the mouth with licorice, spice and pepper tones. Finally, the Bonterra viognier isn't cheap but it's good and organic. Look for a peach-scented aromatic white with plenty of oomph. Think Asian food. For more festival information contact the Empress at 250-389-2727 or log on at www.victoriawinefestival.ca - - - The annual Sonoma County Wineries Association Tasting Tour pours into Vancouver on Monday, Oct. 22. Twenty-five wineries will be pouring over 100 wines between 7 and 9:30 p.m. at The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. Tickets are $45 and $40 for all wine club members and Vancouver Opera subscribers. Tickets are available exclusively through the Vancouver Opera box office at 604-683-0222. VICTORIA WINE FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS Wine: Hardys Tintara 1998 Shiraz, South Australia Price: $26.95 Stock No.: 575704 Score: 16.5/20 Comments: Rich peppery generous red. Wine: Antonin Rodet 1999 Givry Domaine de la Ferte Cote Chalonnaise, France Price: $25.95 Stock No.: 575613 Score: 15.5/20 Comments: Textbook pinot noir. Wine: Beni di Batasiolo 1998 Barbera d'Alba "Sovrana" Piedmont, Italy Price: $19.95 Stock No.: 427336 Score: 16/20 Comments: Round plummy tarry fruit. Wine: Carmen 2000 Chardonnay, Valle Central, Chile Price: $12.95 Stock No.: 235663 Score: 14.5/20 Comments: Fresh bright stylish. Good value. Wine: Quinta Crasto 1998 Vinho Tinto, Douro Portugal Price: $18.95 Stock No.: 499764 Score: 16.5/20 Comments: Supple, balanced delicious food wine. Wine: Bonterra 2000 Viognier, Mendocino California Price: $24.95 Stock No.: 573691 Score: 15/20 Comments: Rich aromatic honeysuckle and peaches.