Media Releases

January 18, 2010 (Kelowna, BC) -With the Games less than a month away, British Columbians are preparing for their moment in the spotlight. Whether you are attending the festivities or watching the events from the comfort of your couch, we have your guide to pairing BC VQA (100% BC) wines with some of your favourite winter sports.

It is no secret that the most highly anticipated event next month is hockey. As Canada’s unofficial sport, the entire nation will be celebrating the Canadian victories and cheering our teams onto the gold medal games. For such momentous occasions, you may want to try Church & State Wines’ Coyote Bowl Syrah, a versatile red for your game-night fare; or perhaps the smooth Road 13 Vineyards’ Chardonnay, which, believe it or not, is the perfect match to concession favourite, buttered popcorn.

Who better to suggest the best skiing wine than BC’s Ski Queen, Nancy Greene Raine:
“This February, Canada will be going for gold in Vancouver. Canadians will be waving the flag on the mountains, on the ice and also in the vineyards and cellars of our rich and diverse country. One of the newest entries into the “Grape Games” is the Young & Wyse Collection. Located in the sun-drenched town of Osoyoos in the South Okanagan, multi-gold medal winemaking winner Stephen Wyse and his family have charged out of the gate. The result, my new favourite Canadian wine, the 2008 Young & Wyse Collection Shiraz. If you want to paint the town red at a medal ceremony dinner, you should consider impressing your international friends with this elegant yet savoury Shiraz. Grown and produced in the South Okanagan and nurtured by one of Canada’s best winemakers, this is definitely a wine worthy of the podium.”

As a recent addition to the roster, snowboarding has become one of the most exciting and popular events of the Winter Games. In its debut year, Ross Rebagliati won the first ever gold medal. Ross’s choice for his top snowboarding wine is “CedarCreek Estate Winery’s Platinum Meritage, because it is complex; has power and finesse; tracks well in all conditions; [and] has a long career (will age well). Once it has developed into all its lusciousness, it is unbeatable and looks good.” Other fine choices include Stoneboat Vineyards’ Pinot Noir for its smooth palate, finesse and balance; and Mission Hill Family Estate Winery’s Quatrain with its harmonious blend of big flavour and soft tannins.

Speed skating is not a sport typically associated with wine, but why not? The first Canadian races date back over 150 years and, like BC VQA Wine, there is a long-standing medal-winning history as well. When watching another historic moment in time, we urge you to try Quails’ Gate Estate Winery’s Chasselas-Pinot Blanc-Pinot Gris. Not only was Chasselas the first vinifera planted at the winery in 1961, but, like speed skating, it too had European beginnings. Another great choice is the fresh, vibrant Tantalus Vineyards’ Riesling; this cool-climate varietal has sharp, racy acidity and succulent flavours that will outlast the long track races.

The quintessential Canadian winter wine is Icewine. The best examples are delectably sweet and elegant with great balance; the perfect sipper while watching figure skating. Whether watching the powerful elegance of the single programs or the graceful acrobatics of ice dancing, the refined palate of Paradise Ranch Wines’ Riesling Icewine or Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery’s Minus 9 Ehrenfelser Icewine will provide the perfect accompaniment. But if you prefer a bold wine; try Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards’ Dark Horse Meritage, a big succulent wine to bring out the passion in both enthusiasts and closet figure skating fans.

Curling is another Canadian classic and is often considered a drinking sport. Recent winners of the Scotties BC Championship, Team Kelly Scott from Kelowna enjoy sipping the crisp fruit flavours of the Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery’s Pinot Gris and the full bodied, complex notes of Nk’Mip Cellars’ Qwam Qwmt Syrah post-victory. Another great choice for your local bonspiel or while viewing the gold medal round is Sandhill’s Osprey Ridge Vineyard Viognier: a refreshing, easy sipping wine with luscious fruit flavours and a smooth finish.

The majority of Canadians have imagined they are luge, skeleton or bobsleigh champions when tobogganing down their local hills. Double’s luge pair Chris & Mike Moffat don’t have to imagine, they are indeed champions of their sport. These brothers from Calgary enjoy the bold, succulent flavours of Black Hills Estate Winery’s Nota Bene and Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin “because we too start off big and finish strong.” For a lighter note, try St. Hubertus Estate Winery’s Gamay Noir. Like these three sports, winery owners and brothers Andy & Leo Gebert hail from Switzerland and their Gamay Noir is a versatile red for all occasions.

Once your favourite team or athlete has achieved victory, it’s time for the celebration wines. There are some incredible BC bubblies to try at your victory parties including Sumac Ridge Estate Winery’s Tribute; Gray Monk Estate Winery’s Odyssey Brut; and Summerhill Pyramid Organic Winery’s Cipes Brut. These sparkling wines are versatile, food-friendly, and are sure to make all your celebrations pop!

To plan a celebration around your favourite sports, visit a BC Liquor Store or BC VQA Wine Store near you for the best selection of BC VQA wines.

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About the BC Wine Institute (BCWI)
The province’s lead wine industry trade association since 1990, the BCWI has played a pivotal role in taking BC’s wine industry from a vision to an internationally-recognized niche region producing premium wines and providing quality wine tourism experiences.

The BCWI supports and markets the VQA Wines of British Columbia (BC VQA) brand, which gives consumers assurance they are buying 100% BC. The BCWI also markets BC’s wine regions; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of BC’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of its members.

About BC VQA
BC VQA = 100% BC Wine. BC VQA is an appellation of origin system that guarantees authenticity of origin and stipulates minimum quality standards for BC wines. Please visit www.winebc.com/vqadefined.php for more information.

Based in Kelowna, the BCWI promotes the Wines of British Columbia (BC VQA) and the Wine Regions of British Columbia brands.

For further information:
Lindsay Kelm, Communications Manager
tel (250) 762-9744 ext. 103 toll-free 1-800-661-2294
lkelm@winebc.com