If you’re unfamiliar, imagine if you were friends with a bunch of sommeliers and wine industry types and for someone’s birthday everyone decided to bring a cool bottle of wine to share with the group: this festival is really a collection of those bottles and the people that make them. It’s a group of wineries and winemakers that Kurtis, his partners Medina Cafe’s Jenna Briscoe and Joey‘s Jason Yamasaki and a small army of sommelier volunteers have identified as making thoughtful, interesting wine.

They’re from all over the globe: the Okanagan, Oregon, Argentina, Italy, France etc. Some are small, some quite large, some natural, some more traditional, but they all share a unique passion and vision that sets them out in their respective areas. They’re the sort of producers that if you find yourself out for dinner in a foreign city and order one of their wines you’ll probably get the awesome knowing nod from the somm…and isn’t that alone worth the price of admission? (which, exclusively for VanMag readers is $25 off if you use the code topdropvip).

As a preview we’ve asked three of the people involved in the festival—a somm, a restaurateur and a winemaker—to tell us about a bottle that will be poured that they’re super jacked about.

Shira Blustein, Owner, The Acorn

This year at Top Drop our Wine Director, James, and myself are most excited to try the new Margo from Anapea Village in Georgia. James is crazy for Qvevri wines and he thinks this is the perfect summer red because it is a direct pressing of Saperavi grapes, which have red flesh and juice. The past vintages have been bright, refreshing and a perfect pairing for the always-exciting Acorn summer menu. It has also been truly inspirational to see them create such beautiful wines from a once-desolate plot of land. Their dedication to sustainability, soil restoration and natural winemaking perfectly align with what we strive to achieve every day at The Acorn. As the old saying goes “it takes a village,” and that’s exactly what they have—an entire village dedicated to sustainable farming and winemaking. We are super excited to meet Giorgi and Gocha, hear their incredible story and share it with our guests at The Acorn!

David Paterson, Winermaker, Tantalus

In 2008 I asked my wife to marry me in Ambleside, Vancouver. We celebrated with a 1996 Blanc de Blanc from Bruno Paillard. So this year I am very much looking forward to the nostalgia of trying all the wines for Bruno Paillard, in particular the Cuvee 72 they are bringing, as I have not had the pleasure of tasting that bottling before.

Belinda Siu, Sommelier, Kissa Tanto

The post Top Somms’ Top Picks at Top Drop appeared first on Vancouver Magazine.

But when it comes to laying their own money out for a bottle, most folks aren’t interested in a John Maynard Keynes primer—they’re seeking an increasingly maligned concept called value. So am I, to be clear. The last time I went to a wine store and bought a bottle without considering price was, well, never. That being said, I don’t think most B.C. malbecs offer very good value compared to their Argentinian counterparts… and when it comes to B.C. Bordeaux-style blends over $45, the duds outnumber the stars by about two to one. But here’s the truth: the thoughtful consumer can find real value in B.C. wines across many segments—and here are exhibits A, B and C for you to ponder.

1. Spearhead Riesling 2022, $24

Let’s start with an easy one: thanks to trailblazers like Tantalus and St Hubertus, we’ve developed a cadre of producers (now also including Fort Berens and Quails’ Gate) who make serious, handmade riesling for the same price as a behemoth like Kung Fu Girl. We’re going with pinot specialist Spearhead, whose crisp, crunchy, flinty take is a steal at $24.

2. Averill Creek Joue White 2022, $27

As a rule, natty wine ain’t cheap, but it caters to those who see value in things beyond dollars and cents: stewardship of the land, connection to the winemaker, a sense of adventure. You generally have to start at $33 and go up from there to embrace such noble ideas, regardless of where the wine is from. So what a treat to see this juicy, salty winner from Vancouver Island’s Averill Creek for under $30—easily one of the best low- intervention deals going.

3. Martin’s Lane DeHart Pinot 2020, $100

Stay with me here. On the economics side, I have no doubt it costs more than $100 to make this wine, given the monumental investment in this winery. And on the hedonist side, this is not only one the greatest pinots made in the province, it can also easily stand shoulder-to-shoulder with acclaimed bottles from Sonoma, Oregon and New Zealand (bottles that are frequently double or triple the price). So yeah, it’s a C-note of value.

Product Pick: The Best Deal for a Decanter in Town

Two truths: fancy decanters are a pain, and simple ones are invaluable. More truth? One doesn’t normally go to tony Atkinson’s for deals, but they are quietly selling Riedel’s lovely, basic merlot decanter for $59 (one of the best prices in Canada). They sell the fancy ones too, but we know about those, don’t we? atkinsonsof vancouver.com

The post The Best Value B.C. Wines on Shelves Right Now appeared first on Vancouver Magazine.

It’s an idea I wholeheartedly support, but I’ve got to admit it gives me some trepidation in reality. I think I’m like many local wine lovers in saying, yes, I love B.C. wine, but I also love the wine from around the world. The prospect of staying away from Barbaresco, or mature Bordeaux or Rioja—to name just three—fills me with dread.

So here’s an idea here to lessen that fear, while supporting our local industry: a series of cheat sheets that, should you so choose, will scratch the itch of a certain wine region by subbing in B.C. wines. These are bottles that will ably stand in for some of the world’s historic wine regions… all made close to home.

Think of it like this: you’ve grilled some lamb chops for a special Friday night and, as is your practice, you plan to pair it with a Merlot dominant wine from Bordeaux (as classic a pairing as there is). But we’re going to step and guide you to some Okanagan wine options that are more than up to the challenge.

Are you a bad person if you really can’t give up your Troplong Mondot? Of course not. And I know even many of us hardcore supporters won’t totally forego other wine regions. But if we all reach for a local alternative just a few more times this year, it could the the difference between disaster and salvation for our wineries.

First up: the Loire, one of the largest wine regions in France and home to an immense range of different wines. You have the steely Sancerre from the Eastern part of the region, salty Muscadet from the west, juicy Cab Franc in between. And it’s one of the birthplaces of the natural wine movement to boot. But there are winemakers in B.C. who clearly love it as much as we do—here are three who’ll transport you there for the time it takes to crack a bottle.

You Crave: Vouvray

You Sub: Da Silva Chenin Blanc 2022 $36

Chenin’s spiritual birthplace is the Loire and (with apologies to South Africa), it is here where the criminally under-appreciated grape reaches its highest calling. We grow very little Chenin in the Okanagan, which is crazy, because the little we do make is almost always amazing and for me, this elegant bottle from Da Silva—green apples, quince, lanolin—hits the same high points than a great wine from Vouvray might give you. It also sits a nice low alcohol percentage, something that can’t be said for many New World Chenins.

You Crave: Chinon or Bourgueil

You Sub: Free Form Cabernet franc 2019 $35

Cabernet Franc is emerging as one of the signature grapes of the Okanagan, but most of the expressions tend towards the bold, muscular style one encounters on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. But the Cab franc in the Loire is a different beast: savoury, juicy, low in alcohol. And this organic offering from Free Form hits all those light notes with an explosion of freshness in the glass with some lovely crunch for ballast. It also skews natural, one of the other themes from the Loire. And finally Cab Franc has more resistance to cold than its offspring Cabernet Sauvignon, so we may be seeing more of it in the future.

You Crave: Sancerre

You Sub: Township 7 Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $25

Okay, this one is tricky because the Sancerre loves are a very particular group. On the plus side, many of our Sauvignon Blancs already skew a bit more towards the more crisp peach and less towards the more grassy examples from New Zealand. On paper, this choice from Township 7 seems odd… it’s grown in hot Oliver, which is not at all similar to Sancerre, but 2022 started out very cold. The wine also has some small amount of barrel fermentation, again not that common in Sancerre. But it does deliver some of the hallmarks: crisp acidity, gooseberry, citrus peel that I love in a nice Sancerre and does saw at a considerable lower price to boot.

The post The Go Drink Me Campaign: Finding the Loire in the Okanagan appeared first on Vancouver Magazine.

But a year and a half later, the Ontario import is a self-taught aficionado welcoming other imbibers into the vivacious world of vino with her cult-y cool Maude Sips events.

“When you move to a new place, what do you do? You drink a lot, you go out, you try to meet people,” says Maude. Glass by glass, she fell in love with the stories behind the wines she was discovering, and started hatching a plan to use her new passion to make connections: she’d start a wine club, something casual, inclusive and, most import- antly, fun. “I wanted to bring a little vogue, a little sexy to wine culture.”

She stayed up for three nights studying and prepping tasting notes, and crammed a dozen friends and friends-of-friends into her studio apartment for her first blind tasting night. Her approach was, well, approachable, and both the wine and good times flowed. “I led with the intention of, it’s not going to be an intimidating space. You don’t need the right vocab. You’re going to taste and try and just see if you like it or don’t like it,” she says.

A year later, Maude Sips has outgrown her apartment and now takes place in a rotating selection of venues (like Subject Studios) throughout Vancouver. Collaborator Becca Higdon—a personal chef—feeds the crowd each month, focusing less on flavour pairings and more on beautiful, sharable plates that align with the theme: a big, bold salad; a decadent main. New friends are made, new favourite wines are discovered, and the night usually ends with an organic dance party.

Maude’s approach to wine education is friendly and story-focused. “You’re going to remember that a wine is made by nuns, not that it tastes like stone fruit,” she says. Over the year, with the help of her (much-appreciated) “ops team” and the occasional guest curator, the events have evolved around themes, typically tied to the region or identity of the winemakers. September was all about Indigenous-owned wineries, while May (co-hosted by Sharla Farrell) centred on female vintners.

Maude’s nine-to-five is in marketing (she’s currently working in fintech) and, intentionally or otherwise, she has put her knack for building buzz to work here. Monthly events have limited tickets ($125) that drop with minimal notice on her Instagram; if you do manage to snag one, you’ll find yourself in a space full of dressed-to-impress, eager-to-socialize friends who are absolutely going to post about this beautiful long- table dinner on social. In other words: it’s a vibe. “If you’re coming with an open mind, if you’re coming to meet new people and learn something along the way, then you’re welcome,” says Maude. The only thing stopping her from opening up the tickets further? “There are just never enough chairs.”

Follow @maude.sips for spring event dates

The post Maude Sips Offers a Joyful Entry Point to a New Generation of Wine Nerds appeared first on Vancouver Magazine.

Though I would call myself a gin drinker, this was the first time I tried this particular brand of juniper-forward liquor. Over several hours spent at the event I was given the opportunity to try Fords both in cocktail form (a classic G&T for me, thanks!) and neat. In my spare time I’m known to sip on a martini or two, but trying the gin without any pomp or circumstance gave me access to the flavour profile and helped me on my next task: tackling the DIY G&T bar. 

Spoiler alert: I’m not the bartender in my household. But I took my drink-making seriously at the VCW event. After picking up on the bright citrus, warm spices and floral notes in Fords Gin I fashioned my perfect cocktail, complete with a more-is-more style of garnishing. What can I say? I’m an overachiever. 

Sure, I enjoy a weekend cocktail but I rarely have the chance to interact with the art of making them with an expert guiding me along the way. Vancouver Cocktail Week still has events with tickets available, which means if you’re interested in the art of cocktail making (or even just the art of cocktail tasting), there are ample events to choose from. Think everything from dinners featuring thoughtfully crafted cocktails (Omakase and Kujira Whisky? Yes please) to an evening of drag with a welcome drink. 

Vancouver Cocktail Week (March 3 – 10)
vancouvercocktailweek.com

The post It’s Official: Gin is Definitely (Still) In appeared first on Vancouver Magazine.

Castello di Gabbiano (Bellezza Chianti Classico Gran Selezione), $43

There may be no wine more associated with Italy than Tuscany’s chianti, and this one captures the sangiovese grape’s past and future in one bottle. On the one hand, the winery makes a large production of “basic” chianti: bright, fresh and a perfect pizza wine for under $20. But they also make this. Gran Selezione is the new term for wines at the top of the chianti-quality pyramid—and here you get ageability, more chewy tannins and a wonderfully long sour-cherry finish for less than a decent bottle of Napa cabernet.

Medici Ermete (Lambrusco Phermento Ancestrale), $33

Outside of its home turf of Emilia-Romagna (and maybe some parts of Brooklyn or Silver Lake), Vancouver is an odd, awesome outpost for the quirky sparkling red known as lambrusco. Its low alcohol and high acidity make it a dream to pair with food, and this take from the famed producer Medici Ermete ups the ante by using the method ancestrale (making it a “pet nat”) to funk up the bubbles—which skew more pink than red in this version—just a touch.

Casale del Giglio (Matidia Cesanese Lazio Rosso IGT), $40

Among the delights of Italy is falling in love with one of their hundreds of indigenous grape varieties that you had never previously heard of—lagrein, lacryma Christi and schioppettino are all under-the-radar winners. Or take, for example, cesanese, a stalwart grape of the Lazio region near Rome. It has the dark hue and marasca cherry notes slightly reminiscent of barolo and a
spiciness that’s very syrah-like, but somehow remains unknown to 99 percent of wine lovers.

Raise a Glass to This Wine Cooler

Keep It Freddo It seems odd to get excited about keeping wine cool in a Vancouver winter, but warm falanghina is a problem any time of year. Thankfully, Yeti brings a tired genre into the 21st century with their brand-new cooler ($90)—available in red, white and green, if you so desire.

The post Wine List: The Best Italian Wines to Try at Vancouver International Wine Fest appeared first on Vancouver Magazine.

The reality is that the intersection of diverse soils and wildly different climatic regions in B.C. means we can be really good at a lot of different wines. But if you asked me about our future, I’d say that in a world where the appetite for even middling prosecco seems rampant and where people have very quickly agreed that paying $80-plus for a bottle of English sparkling wine is entirely reasonable (it is, BTW), I look at what we can deliver and say yes, please. We’re headed into the holidays now, so here’s your chance to test my premise that we have the potential to be one of the world’s great-value sparkling producers. Let’s pop some corks and find out.

Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut, $32

I love the legendary Steller’s Jay, but for me, this is the wine that started the revolution: traditional method (like they do in Champagne), traditional grapes (chardonnay and pinot noir) and B.C. terroir coupled with the insane quality control of the Mavety family. The result is a revelation year after year: think fine bubbles and a toasty, complete mouthfeel that will go with almost any dish you serve. It’s a $32 bottle of wine that I get excited about every time. bluemountainwinery.com

Lightning Rock Canyonview Blanc de Noirs 2021, $40

Let’s categorize this as second-wave bubble greatness: it’s been around less than a decade, but it’s putting a lower-intervention spin on the classics. The departure  of founding winemaker Jordan Kubek (she moved to  Pamplemousse Jus, where she makes excellent natty wine) could have been a problem, but the wine here is  still vibrant and electric. This bottle of 100-percent  pinot explodes in the glass with restrained energy.  lightningrockwinery.com

Fitz Blanc de Blancs 2018, $45

The Fitzpatrick family’s sale of CedarCreek to Anthony von Mandl was one of those rare win-win deals. CedarCreek has moved to a new plateau of quality and the Fitzpatricks have used their money to develop one of the great sparkling-wine houses of Canada. You could close your eyes, randomly choose a bottle and be happy— they make five different types—but let’s go with this  100-percent chardonnay option and revel in its ethereal, linear elegance. Cheers to that. fitzwine.com

One More Thing: Here Are the Best Glasses for Bubbly

Flutes are for flautists. Can we all agree to kibosh the shape, which is happy to sacrifice aroma and  usability in the name of preserving bubbles? Those bubbles are only one element of sparkling wine’s appeal (Pepsi has bubbles): I’d much rather you use a normal white wine glass, but if you like that special sense of occasion, then Riedel’s entry-level Ouverture line will do the trick for less than $25 a stem. riedel.com

The post Find an Excuse to Celebrate, Because These Sparkling Wines Are the Best in the Fizz appeared first on Vancouver Magazine.

The Vanmag Editors’ Favourite Drinks of 2023

The Chino Margarita from Bao Bei

Sometimes, a drink menu can be paralyzing. What’s a girl to do when she loves margaritas and drinks with egg whites? But at Bao Bei (recently added to the Michelin Recommended list), women can have it all: the chino margarita is a tequila-based, deliciously citrus, ginger-spicy cocktail finished with both egg white and a chili-salt and sugar rim. In other words, the perfect drink for an indecisive lush. And if you pair it with the brasserie’s always excellent Chef’s Choice meal (a steal in this economy at $65 per person), it’s the last decision you’ll have to make all night. —Stacey McLachlan, editor-in-chief

READ MORE: Chinatown’s Best Restaurants

Martin’s Lane DeHart Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020

I’ll cop to a bit of recency bias here—Martin’s Lane winemaker Shane Munn was in town a few weeks back with his yet-to-be released slate of 2020 Pinots, so the tasting is still front and centre in my mind. That being said, I’m pretty sure that, had I tasted these wine in February, it would still be front and centre in my mind for the fact that one of the single-vineyard wines—the DeHart—was the greatest bottle of BC Pinot I think I’ve ever tasted. I don’t say that lightly, as I’ve had some wonderful bottles over the years: an early 1990s (1991?) Pinot from Blue Mountain stands out, as do countless bottles from Meyer, from Foxtrot, from Tantalus. I had a 2020 Rathjen Cellars Saison Vineyard that sommelier Savannah Robinson poured me at Victoria’s  Marilena earlier this year that might rank as the best Vancouver Island Pinot I’ve had. But the second I swirled the DeHart in my mouth I was taken: by its balance, its restraint, its structure. If I had to bring a bottle of BC Pinot to taste blind anywhere in the world, I immediately thought that not only would I be proud to bring this, but that I’d blow people away when they found out where it’s from—it’s that good. Awesomely Munn’s entire line-up of single vineyard are significantly different (as they should be, but so rarely are up here) and I think I was the only one how loved DeHart the best, but I couldn’t be more confident in my love. I should mention that it ain’t cheap: finding these wines can be tricky if you’re not a member of their wine club and if you do, it’ll be $100 or so, but I assure you when you put these with their Pinot peers from around the world, it’s a bargain—Neal McLennan, wine editor

The Late Harvest Cocktail from Maxine’s Cafe and Bar

My most memorable cocktail of the year found its way into our December/January issue—24 Things to Eat and Drink in 2024—and not just because it’s pretty in pink. (Though it certainly had me turning to a neighbour’s table and asking, ‘What’s that?!‘) The Late Harvest Cocktail ($18) is basically an updated Old Fashioned with a pretty and purple twist. It’s made with high-proof Wild Turkey 101—so it’ll quickly warm you up on a chilly winter night—and then made bright, lively and just a little earthy thanks to housemade beet shrub. With a dash or two of Fee’s celery and black walnut bitters, plus a twist of orange peel, this is the drink you want to both start and end the night with. —Anicka Quin, editorial director

The Painted Spritz from The Painted Ship

A night out on the town is getting more and more pricey, so whenever we can, my partner and I try to take advantage of happy hour deals (yeah, of course “not going out” would be the best way to save money, but studies prove that abstinence-only restaurant education doesn’t work). Happy hour is the responsible solution. But finding one that has actual deals ($1 off a $25 cocktail? No thanks) is held at a reasonable time (2:00pm to 3:00pm? I’ve got a magazine to edit—and come on, everyone knows happy hour should be more than an hour) and is easy to get to (walking distance only) is a bit of a puzzle. Our new neighbourhood bar, The Painted Ship, happens to fit all three of the above conditions. There, I always get the Painted Spritz—a summer-y cocktail made with tequila, elderflower liqueur, lemon, passionfruit, prosecco and soda (plus rosemary and dehydrated lemon to garnish). It’s $12 from opening until 6 p.m. every day, meaning on Saturdays and Sundays, six hours are happy.—Alyssa Hirose, managing editor

The post Editors’ Picks: The Best Things We Drank in 2023 appeared first on Vancouver Magazine.

2024 is finally here! And what better way to embrace the season of fresh starts than with a mocktail that supports your Dry January goals. Zarak by Afghan Kitchen’s Chasm-e-Pista is like nothing you’ve tried before: it combines the citrusy zest of bergamot (courtesy of the infused Earl Grey) and the delicate earthy sweetness of pistachios. The result? A creamy cocktail that demands to be savoured, just like the moment. Here’s to new beginnings and a night of drinking you’ll remember!

The Chasm-E-Pista Mocktail

Ingredients

Serves 1

2 oz Free Spirits Bourbon (for a boozy option, substitute 1½ oz Bulleit 10-Year-Old Bourbon and ½ oz cognac)

1 ½ oz Earl Grey tea

¾ oz pistachio syrup (see recipe, below, or tip above)

½ oz fresh strained lemon juice

Optional: 1 egg white

How to Make

1. Boil water. Steep one Earl Grey tea bag (or roughly 2 grams of loose leaf) until dark (4 to 5 minutes). Let cool.

2. Add Earl Grey brew, bourbon and the rest of the ingredients to a shaker with ice to mix (or stir directly in the glass and add ice).

3. Top with whisked egg whites if you like foam.

Pistachio Syrup

Ingredients

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup filtered water

¾ cup pistachios, finely chopped

1 oz vanilla extract

How to Make

1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.

2. Let simmer on low for 10 minutes.

3. In a blender or food processor, blend until smooth.

4. Run the liquid mix through cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to remove particles.

5. Cool before refrigerating. Kept in the fridge, the syrup should be good for up to a week.

Sweet Deal: If you’re going with store-bought pistachio syrup (no shame in that game), bartender Winnie Sun recommends the Monin brand, which you can find at the Gourmet Warehouse (gourmetwarehouse.ca)

This recipe was originally published in the December/January 2024 issue of Vancouver magazine.

The post Nightcap: The Chasm-E-Pista Mocktail From Zarak by Afghan Kitchen appeared first on Vancouver Magazine.

It’s not exactly a groundbreaking concept—it’s simply interspersing boozy libations you’re enjoying at social gatherings with non-alcoholic options. The advantages of doing so are many, from staying hydrated and avoiding hangovers to not being the subject of hilarious anecdotes about “that time at the office party when you were positive you could still do a good cartwheel.”

Sure, there are plenty of delicious wine, beer and cocktail possibilities around us, but with zero-proof options surging in quality and popularity, we can always find similar tipples that’ll keep us on the straight and narrow.

Here are a quartet of favourite refreshments available around the city, with just-as-enjoyable non-alcoholic options that’ll keep your partying smart.

The Best Drinks to Bring to a Holiday Party (and Their Zero-Proof Alternatives)

If you like NiceLife Cocktails…

A little bottled cocktail to start things off? The NiceLife Cocktail Co. Gin & Grapefruit, comin’ at us straight outta Port Coquitlam, is chock-full of good stuff—far better than most of the mass-produced canned or bottled beverages on the market. The full ingredient list? Carbonated water, premium gin, grapefruit juice, sugar, grapefruit peel, orange peel, citric acid, a pinch of salt and a little sodium benzoate to preserve all of the goodness. With all the juniper and gin botanicals, it’s charismatic, zippy and will certainly add some colour to the season.

…Try Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktails.

Local veteran barman Nick Devine has been crushing the non-alc cocktail category over the last couple years, and cracking a can of Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Company Paloma—a juicy wonder of tequila extract, grapefruit and lime—will show you why. When behind the stick, he’s always used premium ingredients, so his line of canned cocktails (which also includes a mojito, mule and a Collins) was never going to be any different. Here we have filtered water, tequila extract, sugars, apple cider vinegar, pink grapefruit concentrate, lime juice concentrate, salt and natural flavours. It’s remarkably crushable when poured over ice and, frankly, it also works great as a mixer with your favourite gin, tequila, or vodka.

If you like StrangeFellows Brewing’s Talisman…

Vancouver craft beer enthusiasts are generally adventurous and always up for the next big thing, so any ale with staying power year in, year out is testament to its outright deliciousness. Many of us have kept a couple cans of StrangeFellows Brewing Talisman within arm’s reach during the good times over the last few years for good reason. The sessionable West Coast pale ale from their East Van digs strikes a good balance of tropical and citrus notes with perfectly punctuated hops. It clocks in at a mighty-civilised 4% ABV, so even after a few, you can still look forward to a spring in your step the next day.

…Try their Nevertheless Non-Alcholic Pale Ale.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear the folks at StrangeFellows just took their Talisman and slapped on a fresh label, dubbing it Nevertheless Non-Alcholic Pale Ale. Let me just do a a little copy and paste, and share that it strikes a good balance of tropical and citrus notes with perfectly punctuated hops. They’ve taken a slew of Citra and Mosaic hops and have built what is quite possibly the best non-alcoholic craft beer in town.

If you like Tantalus Vineyards Riesling…

One of the most consistently beloved white wines coming out of the Okanagan, Tantalus Vineyards Riesling’s 2022 edition perfectly walks that tightrope between soaring acidity and a cheeky off-dry nature, making it a perfect pairing for spicy cuisine or any salty snacks you’re dishing out. Tart apples, fresh lime and kiwi notes are all bright and electric, with grins guaranteed after every sip.

… Try Leitz Eins-Zwei-Zero riesling.

Leitz Eins-Zwei-Zero Riesling out of Germany is so damn close to the real thing that I’ve actually duped more than a couple sommelier pals when switching it into the mix on various occasions. Muddled lemon mingles with peaches and a little fresh tarragon, with good acidity and the smallest kiss of sweetness on the finish. For me, it’s a no-brainer with sushi and seafood-centric dishes, but it’s equally at home on the couch with a bag of chips.

If you like Soliera Lambrusco di Sorbara…

It’s the season when we’re more likely to pop the cork from something fizzy, and I always like to go the less-expected route and paint the town red. Soliera Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC is available in the Italian section in various locations of BC Liquor Stores, and with a good chill on it, it’s ready to accompany your cheese and charcuterie platter with zesty red fruit, cloves and peppery finish. It’s a fun, offbeat pairing for your turkey dinner, and can ride all the way through to chocolatey desserts.

… Try ONES+ sparkling red.

Booze-free red wine has always been the toughest nut to crack, so I am delighted to share that not only have I found a good one, but it’s an incredibly tasty bottling from right here in B.C. Local winemaker Tyler Harlton stepped away from his critically-acclaimed TH Wines brand a few years back to save us all from the piles of putrid alcohol-free red wines that have unfortunately been the norm until now. ONES+ 2021 Sparkling Red is made from premium Okanagan Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec grapes, and it isn’t loaded with sugar (which is often the way non-alc red wines are made so they can at be remotely palatable). In fact, there’s no sugar and no carbs here, just 18 calories per glass worth of effervescent currants, blackberries and hibiscus tea, finishing nice and dry. Shockingly good, and worthy of a holiday toast.

The post The Best Drinks to Bring to a Holiday Party (and Their Zero-Proof Alternatives) appeared first on Vancouver Magazine.