Wine Prices: Who's Zooming Whom?

Sure we have hundreds of private wine shops but they don't really compete with government stores otherwise their prices would be lower. Hell, they don't even compete with each other, otherwise they would have websites that stated which wines they sell, and at what price.

Expect Australian prices to rise this fall as producers face massive juice shortfalls. You could even see some lower end brands disappear due to lack of supply.

The rush for local wines has stiffened Okanagan prices to a point where it's becoming hard to simply support them because they are local. Now that B.C. wine is beginning to measure up against the import competition in terms of quality it is going to have to start to compete on price.

Despite rising prices globally, much of the import competition in the same quality range is now substantially cheaper than domestic wine. Given how much money local wineries are piling up selling direct, and thus avoiding the lion's share of tax applied to imports, there should be plenty of adjustment room.

The strong Euro and some fabulous vintages do not point to any relief from Europe. That leaves South America, where the US dollar is widely employed by most exporters and California as potential producers of quality affordable wine. At least moderate prices can be expected from Chile and Argentina with perhaps even some downward movement at the top end.

As the Canadian dollar edges toward parity I'm hoping California wine prices will begin to drop further in Canada. It seems to me the moment the value of the Canadian dollar drops against the US dollar, California prices must go up, yet a rising Loonie fails to have the reverse effect.

The wineries blame our taxation system. Distributors point anywhere but at themselves, retailers plead ignorance, but in the end it's the consumer gets nailed. While driving to the US and buying almost anything from computers to cars is now an attractive proposition for Canadians wine remains the forbidden fruit as in there is no "free trade" when it comes to the alcohol and in the end that translates to higher and higher prices for consumers.

I say all this because for decades the wine industry was desperate to get North Americans interested in drinking more wine. Now that we are interested, it seems everyone wants to stick it to us. It's times like this that remind one of the story of the golden goose. Enough said, let's do some tasting.

Casal Thaulero Pinot Grigio Osco 2005 is typically Northern Italian with its almond, mineral overtones and bits of citrus, grassy, green apple aromas. The entry is soft, and almost sweet, mixing honey, mineral, nutty, lees flavours. This is simple, easy sipping, and very affordable, imported pinot grigio.

The latest Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris 2006 now under screwcap is as good as it gets for the price. This is light, delicate, pinot gris that is made for summer sipping and its subtle nature is perfectly revealed under screwcap. Look for light floral notes mixed with delicious crisp, green apple, mineral and nectarine notes. The finish is round, soft and dry with just a hint of sweet fruit.

The Mission Hill Pinot Gris Reserve 2006 is more or less a carbon copy of the '05 with its fresh, crisp, lemony demeanour. The entry is lip-smacking fresh with northern Italian honeyed grapefruit, green apple mineral tones mixed with some creamy mid-palate textures. It appears to be a touch less austere, or conversely fruitier, than the previous version, which I'm sure will be welcomed by most sippers. Made for B.C coastal food.

The Castello Banfi Principessa Gavia 2005 is made from the cortese di Gavi grape. It is all northern Italian with its light, showy, open floral nose redolent of flowers and almonds. The palate is crisp and clean with delicate red apple flavours and a touch of citrus. A classic summer patio wine, perfect for a fresh tomato panini or light seafood and pasta dishes.

From Northern Italy to central Argentina we present a new listing: Trivento Amado Sur 2005 a blend of malbec, bonarda and syrah from this exceptional quality for money producer. This is a rich savoury malbec, further bolster by a 30 per cent addition of bonarda and syrah. The entry is sweet and spicy with peppery mid-palate tones while the flavours are reminiscent of red plums with hints of smoke and vanilla.

Finally back to Italy for an upscale Tommasi Valpolicella Ripasso 2004 that is big and spicy with floral, vanilla, smoky, gamey licorice notes. The palate is super smooth and stylish with black cherry, licorice and chocolate flavours and a characteristic, savoury pudding finish. Warm but as always, with balance. Hold for 3 to 5 years or drink now with hearty foods.

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Casal Thaulero Pinot Grigio Osco 2005, Abruzzo, Italy
Price: $10.99
UPC: 08001713000228
86/100
Remarks: Honey, mineral, nutty, lees, easy sipping grigio.

Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price: $16
UPC: 624802981024
Score: 87/100
Remarks: Delicate pinot gris that is made for summer sipping.

Mission Hill Pinot Gris Reserve 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price: $22
UPC: 776545991034
Score: 88/100
Remarks: Honeydew, green apple mineral tones mixed with creamy mid-palate textures.

Castello Banfi Principessa Gavia 2005, Gavi, Piedmont, Italy
Price: $26
UPC: 08000016510564
Score: 88/100
Remarks: Classic summer patio wine to serve with fresh tomato panini, or light pasta dishes.

Trivento Amado Sur Malbec Bonarda Syrah Malbec - Shiraz 2005, Mendoza, Argentina
Price: $15
UPC: 7798039593503
Score: 87/100
Remarks: Sweet and spicy with peppery mid-palate and ripe plummy dark fruit flavours.

Tommasi Valpolicella Ripasso Corvina - Rondinella - Molinara 2004, Veneto, Italy
Price: $30
UPC: 8004645365102
Score: 89/100
Remarks: Stylish black cherry fruit with licorice and chocolate flavours.