the wine diva

March 27th, 2021 Bubbles & Pinot Noir from Niche (Narrative from Christine Coletta & Wine Diva Bubble List)

hello

Small Batch Bubbles and Pinot Noir from NICHE.

(Narrative from Christine Coletta/Bubble List  from Wine Diva)

THE SHOW

 

“wine is an expression of the things you can’t control”   Joanna Schlosser Niche Wine Co.

Niche Wine Co (West Kelowna) – Joanna Schlosser (co-partner)

Niche Wine Co

 

Joanna and James Schlosser could be the poster couple for “small batch” winemaking.

Their family-owned and operated winery, high in the hills of West Kelowna, produces complex, aromatic wines that showcase the nuances of the North Okanagan. This combination of high-altitude, homegrown wines paired with a limited, high-quality/hands-on production make their wines both sought after and hard to get your hands on.

They are, however,  well worth the chase.

 

The Small Batch Bubble is just so good. Tight complex bubbles. Just off-dry. Perfect for food pairing. Easter dinner. Crêpes.  They suggest anything buttered or honeyed. Or with nothing but conversation.

Here’s the bottom line 175 cases. $26.00 and right now you can find it at select wine shops and Save – On. (Joanna will explain)

Segment two covers the two new Pinot Noirs now available.

2019 Farmhouse Pinot Noir.  Clones 667/115.  Vineyards planted 23 years ago. $28.00   125 cases.

All of their  Pinot is produced exclusively with grapes grown by the family-owned and operated Hugh & Mary Vineyard. The hot summer days and cool nights make this vineyard prime Pinot growing country, The vines range from 12 to 23 years of age and are a mix of clone 667 and 115. Fruit forward. Really bright. Pepper, raspberry notes on the nose. Spice and Cherry in the mouth. Harvested by hand. Basket pressed.

Niche Vines

2018 Extra Mile Pinot Noir. Clone 115. Vines 23 yrs old. 57 cases. $45.00

Beautiful soft texture in the mouth. Minimum intervention. Violet and truffle on the nose. Dark cherry in the mouth.

25% new oak for 16 months.

Complex and balanced. A special wine.

Joanna will also take us through their Small Batch Boxes.  Partnering with local businesses.

It’s a great idea.

 


Christine Coletta –  Co-Founder of Okanagan Crush Pad  and Narrative Wine (Summerland)

Christine Coletta

Christine Coletta

Everyone in B.C.’s wine industry knows Christine Coletta.

Innovator, community champion, visionary, land steward— She is a force.

Christine, or CC as she is known by many, has earned awards and accolades throughout her illustrious career. She was named  One of Wine’s Most Inspiring People for 2020 by Wine Industry Advisor.

Christine is one of the founding members of the BC Wine Institute and the BC VQA program, and she has helped to mentor a number of professionals in the food and wine industries over the last 30 years.

Through her crush work at Okanagan Crush Pad, she has also been involved in the start of a number of new wineries in BC.

Her guidance, support, and mentorship have landed her the nickname, “Godmother of BC Wine.”

 

Okanagan Crush Pad is the home for

Haywire Wines

Free Form

Bizou and Yukon

And  

Narrative

Today CC brings the new releases from Narrative.

2019 Viognier/Syrah except its 80% Viognier and 20% Syrah

(spice, pepper, raspberries, and strawberries. Lots of rich  texture)

 

Viognier I was very impressed by this release a while back and had to ask CC about it.

Slow fermented in concrete.  Yummy!

 

2018 Syrah Viognier.  It’s quite a process to get this wine just right.  Syrah co-fermented with Viognier in clay amphora. On skins for 90 days. Some of the Syrah is in concrete which brings out the spice and texture. It’s crazy good.

 

2016 Syrah (organic)  Grown in the South Okanagan  Spends lots of time in concreteIt’s soft in the mouth with notes of white pepper.

There’s a surprising lift in the mouth mid-palette. Not the usual dark chocolate.

THIS is a Syrah you want to find and it’s one of Narrative’s Winter Reds. Best of all it’s been in the bottle for 2 extra years.

 

Check out the outstanding Okanagan Crush Pad website.

https://okanagancrushpad.com/


 Daenna Van Mulligen – The Wine Diva and The Bubble Queen.

Daenna van Mulligen

Thinking ahead to the Easter long weekend I was checking out wine pairing with traditional Easter meals. What kept coming up were references to Rose, Riesling, and a lot of talk about bubble.

Daenna van Mulligen specializes in bubble.

Here are three recommendations she’s tasted and made copious notes on.,

 

Blue Mountain Rose Brut $40 (winery/private)

Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut $90 BCLS

Segura Viudas Cava $16.99 ($14.99 special until March 6) BCLS

 

www.winediva.ca

www.winescores.ca

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

Bartier Brothers – Spring Releases.

Valleys of Wine – Luke Whittall (author)

December 19th, 2020- Kurtis Kolt & The Wine Diva with Outstanding Bottles and Bubbles  

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Kurtis Kolt & The Wine Diva with Outstanding Bottles and Bubbles

 

THE SHOW

 

As the Holidays get closer I’ve always found myself drawing closer to friends. It’s never planned, it just happens.

It may be because of shared experiences and moments or flat out long time friendships.

Whateverrrrr!

I sent out two invites this week.  One to Kurtis Kolt.

Kurtis-Kolt

Vancouver based wine consultant, occasional writer for VanMag, a wine educator and top tier Wine Judge.

And a friend.

I asked if he would bring with him a list of wines that impressed him over the year and that could be found at most BC Liquor Stores.

Kurtis said Yes.   He Suggested 4 Whites – One Pink – 4 Reds. Something for everyone.  Please find the list below..

I also wanted to ask Kurtis about the state of BC Restaurants and Wineries in 2020 and how we can help both in 2021.

 

Domaine Martin Jund Edelzwicker – Alsace, France, $31.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/15782

 

Pewsey Vale Eden Valley 2018 Riesling – Eden Valley, Australia, $19.99 LTO til January 2, $21.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/617126

 

Anthonij Rupert Wines Protea Chenin Blanc – Western Cape, South Africa, $14.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/777953

 

Bartier Bros. 2019 Semillon, Okanagan Valley, B.C., $16.97 LTO til January 2, $19.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/245910

 

Domaine Lafond Roc Epine 2018 Tavel, Rhône Valley, France, $27.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/110411

Tenuta Castellaro Ypsilon Rosso, Sicily, Italy, $35.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/143498

 

Robin Ridge 2018 Gamay, Similkameen Valley, BC, $22.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/484907

 

Marchesi Di Barolo 2014 Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, $59.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/378729

Langmeil Valley Floor 2017 Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia, $30.99 LTO til January 2, $34.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/564450

 

Thank You Kurtis

@Kurtis Kolt

The second friend I reached out to was Daenna Van Mulligen – The Wine Diva

Daenna Van Mulligen

 

If you’ve heard Daenna on TRR over the years you’ll know that she LOVES her Bubble.

So when Daenna said Yes, I focused on an end of the year/gift giving Best Bubble List.  I’ve posted the list below.

(The complete list can be found at winediva.ca)

Okanagan Crush Pad ‘Narrative XC Method’ Sparkling, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

See Ya Later Ranch Sparkling Brut, Okanagan Valley, BC $23.99

Freixenet ‘Cordon Negro’ Gran Seleccion Cava, Spain $16.49

Freixenet Prosecco, Veneto Italy $20.00

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva, Penedes Spain, NV $16.99

Valdo Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore “Marco Oro”, Veneto Italy $23.99

 

Play Estate Winery ‘Teatro’ Moscato Frizzante, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Equinox’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Steller’s Jay ‘Mountain Jay’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $22.99

 

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Brut Rose, Okanagan Valley $40.00

L’Acadie Vineyards Vintage Cuvee Rose, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia $35.00

L’Acadie Vineyards Vintage Cuvee, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia $35.00

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery Reserve Brut, Okanagan Valley, BC $25.00

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Gold Label Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $30.00

L’Acadie Vineyards Prestige Brut Estate, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia $55.00

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards ‘Fitz’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards ‘Fitz Reserve’ Sparkling Rose, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

 

You can find all of her Wine Lists at www.winediva.ca and www.winescores.ca

Click on Wine Lists

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

The Hawksworth Cookbook

Sperling Vineyards

Best of the Year

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL…  STAY SAFE!