OFF THE VINE by Tania Tomaszewska
Your Flight With Dad:
Lining Up Some Picnic & BBQ Drops Looking forward to family picnics and barbies (when it's safe to do so, of course)? Pondering some gift ideas for dad which fall into the libations category? How about a "virtual flight" somewhere off the Island? Here's a few picks which could pair nicely with your plans and get you started.
Take-Off and Picnic Grazing Bubbles: Freixenet – Cava Cordon Negro Brut (Spain) An iconic dry sparkling wine made in the rolling hills of Penedes (southwest of Barcelona) using the traditional method, like its cousin Champagne. A blend of parellada, macabeo and xarel-lo grapes, it's light, dry and crisp with citrus, apple and nutty tones. Streaked with minerality, fresh acidity and persistent lively bubbles. 10 to 14 months sur lie brings toasty and creamy tones to the party. Cava is great on its own or with any kind of food. Bonus: It also comes in piccolo 200ml bottles which are pretty light in the backpack. Just saying. White: SpearHead Winery 2019 Pinot Gris (mid-Okanagan Valley, B.C.) A light aromatic white from "pinot" specialist SpearHead made from beautiful Summerland fruit. Juicy and vibrant with lemon and green apple tones unfolding into peach and stonefruit after time in your glass. Touched with honey, some minerality and fresh acidity to finish. A lovely aperitif and fantastically food-friendly, pinot gris matches a broad range of palates and pretty much goes with anything (greens, salads, fish, creamy pasta salads, sushi, pan-Asian fare). 24 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JUNE 2021
Rosé: Gérard Bertrand 2019 Côte des Rose (Languedoc-Rousillon, France) A dry and soft rosé from southwest France where these grenache, syrah and cinsault grapes thrive in the Mediterranean climate. Beautiful pale rose colour from some time on the skins. Strawberries, rhubarb and vibrant red fruit with citrus and garrigue. Elegance matched with its glass closure and carved glass rose base. (Who says you can't give flowers to dad?). Bonus: It also comes in small 325ml bottles. Interlude vino anyone? (On its own or with any picnic. Salads, veggies, prawns, tacos, charcuterie, feta, goat cheese.)