Winefest Approaching Sell-out

Year 31 is a significant one for local wineries who for the first time ever will be the designated theme region with some 50 British Columbia wineries preparing to share the spotlight inside the tasting room.

British Columbia has also inspired this year's Global focus that will shine a spotlight all things pinot: pinot noir, pinot blanc, pinot gris. Organizers expect there will be over 160 different pinots in the room and there will be a specific tasting station where many will be available for tasting in a side-by-side format.

As always it's the visiting principals that set this show apart and despite an economy that would suggest wineries stay home and preserve their travel budgets for better times 2009 may feature the largest number of winery types in Vancouver to pour wine and share their experiences with you.

British Columbia will have 59 storytellers at the festival and I'm betting more than half of the contingent will be unknown to most regular festival attendees. How you decide which booths to stop at is beyond me but one not to miss is grower turned winemaker Lanny Martiniuk of Stoneboat Vineyards.

As natural as it might seem I can't imagine what it's like to go from grower to producer in essence forsaking the unreliability of dealing with the weather to having to deal with consumers and wine writers. Judging by some early releases it all looks good. The Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Gris 2007 is a fresh, bright style of pinot gris with bits of citrus and mineral. The mid-palate is dry with a stony mineral bent and just a hint of creamy spiced fruit in the finish. A good start and a wine to look for in future vintages.

Jose Alberto Zuccardi has an infectious smile and a huge capacity for work. The current head of the family business is a driving force in Mendoza, one of the eight designated wine capitals of the world.

With vineyards in Vista Flores and Altamira (Uco Valley), the Maipu and Santa Rosa districts of Mendoza and a large modern visitors centre, restaurant and art program, the Zuccardi forte is its ability to deliver terrific value for money Argentine wines while constantly exploring all the possibilities of the modern wine world.

A fine example of their pioneering spirit is the Zuccardi Textual Caladoc 2007. Caladoc is a French cross of grenache and malbec. The result is a smoky, peppery, plum nose with bits of black cherry, tobacco and mint. The entry is dry and supple with juicy cherry, black plum fruit with a spicy, savoury, tobacco leaf, compost, menthol underside. A perfect red for grilled, meat entrées.

The names don't get much bigger than Robert Hill Smith the man behind Yalumba Wines and Négociants International a business that spans the globe trading in wine. Hill Smith returns to Vancouver with a strong lineup of wines including his highly sought after Yalumba Viognier Eden Valley 2007. Yalumba's work with viognier has been tireless and rewarding as evidenced by this ginger, white floral, peachy, gem. So fresh and enticing on the palate with honey, acacia, vanilla, orange, creamsicle flavours with candied citrus and nectarine in the finish. Not to be missed.

Darren Blood has the perfect name for someone who loves to sell red wine in Vancouver. Blood is the North American face of De Bortoli Vineyards and will no doubt have stories about the horrific fires that decimated parts of the Yarra Valley. I would assume the best way you can help out is by buying the delicious De Bortoli dB Petite Sirah 2006. It soft yet slightly tannic palate is awash in rootsy, licorice, coffee, black cherry flavours. Barbecue anyone?

Spain's Ramuntxo Andonegui is in the early running for the most difficult principal name to pronounce at the festival, but you will love his Espelt Vailet 2007, an unusual blend of garnacha blanco and macabeo. Expect an enticing fresh, light-scented nose of citrus, pineapple and grass. On entry, the wine is soft and round (that comes from the macabeo) with dry fruity notes of mineral, seawater and oyster liqueur and a dry lip-smacking, fresh finish. Absolutely all it can be for the price and more.

Back to B.C. for a must visit and tasting with Osoyoos Larose winemaker Pascal Madevon. The French-born maestro who recently became a Canadian citizen will pour his current and best release yet the Osoyoos Larose 2006. Dry, and as moderately rich as Paschal Madevon will allow, this version is ripe and warm on the palate with grainy, supple tannins. There is fine aromatics and balance with an unexpected suppleness (yeah). The finish has a savoury dark chocolate undertone. Made to age a decade.

For festival ticket information log on to playhousewinefest.com.

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STONEBOAT VINEYARDS PINOT GRIS 2007, OLIVER, OKANAGAN VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Price $19
UPC 626990058991
Score 87/100
Remarks A fresh leesy bright style of pinot gris with bits of citrus and mineral.

ZUCCARDI TEXTUAL CALADOC 2007, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA
Price $18.00
UPC 7791728018264
Score 87/100
Remarks A French cross of grenache and malbec.

YALUMBA VIOGNIER EDEN VALLEY 2007, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Price $27.00
UPC 9311789079745
Score 91/100
Remarks Fresh honey, butter, vanilla, orange, candied citrus flavours.

DE BORTOLI DB PETITE SIRAH 2006, SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA
Price $12
UPC 679940000427
Score 85/100
Remarks Soft, round, slightly tannic palate with rootsy, licorice, coffee, black cherry flavours.

ESPELT VAILET GARNACHA BLANCO - MACABEO 2007, EMPORDÀ, CATALUNYA, SPAIN
Price $15
UPC 08436020950186
Score 87/100
Remarks Expect a dry lip-smacking, fresh finish. Absolutely all it can be for the price and more.

OSOYOOS LAROSE 2006, OKANAGAN VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Price $40.00
UPC 871610001554
Score 90/100
Remarks Typically spicy with tobacco, coffee, black cherry, vanilla and liquorice.