News and Blog Posts from Cornucopia 2010
Cornucopia is North America's largest food and wine festival, held annually in the western Canadian ski resort of Whistler, BC. This year, from November 11-14, wine producers from South Africa and Argentina will be featured - along with chefs, food and wines from host province British Columbia.Sunday, November 14, 2010
NEWS BRIEF: Canadian sparkling wines stood up to some of the best French champagnes at the Bubbles and Oceans reception hosted by Araxi Restaurant in Whistler as part of the 14th annual Cornucopia food and wine festival. In several samples tested by Savvy Traveller, we were pleasantly surprised with the progress made by Canadian producers. Gone is the sugary, flat presentation of earlier vintages - Canadian bubbly - even those listed for under $15 - feature a crisp, drinkable character that make the labels appropriate for everyday drinking or pairing with seafood or land-based appetizers. Summerhill's Cipes Gabriel and Sumac Ridge were among the notables at Araxi.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
NEWS BRIEF: Small winery owners and offshore producers alike say the powerful state-owned British Columbia Liquor Store chain is an inhospitable sales channel. Biased, unimaginative selections, difficult supply rules and high markups have forced many to seek alternative channels for sales. The provincial retailer has about 200 stores province-wide. Typically, BC Liquor Stores devote a large proportion of floor space to BC wines - however only the large producers are present. Small operators sell from on-site locations, online, via distributors or directly to restaurants.
You won't find this great BC wine
on BC Liquor Store shelves.
NEWS BRIEF: Great news for aficionados of British Columbia wines. 2010 looks to be a great vintage as southern Canadian wineries have been spared the late summer mix of rain and cold experienced by winemakers in northern California regions such as Sonoma. Several winemakers interviewed by Savvy Traveller at Cornucopia 2010 said the crucial late summer weather made for great grape growing in the Okanagan Valley. Cool weather in Sonoma this summer has led to smaller-than-average crop sizes - some winemakers said it was the worst summer ever in terms of weather. Okanagan growers did fear that higher-than-normal rains and a late summer cold snap could damage their fruit, but most are predicting a banner year for such grapes as Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Wineries we like so far:
Seven Stones Winery
Similkameen, BC
Dunham & Froese Estate Winery
Oliver, BC