Everything Wine

Memoirs from the Barossa Valley

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:40:00 -0800

It was almost a year ago in a post Christmas glow that I got the news that I had been hired as a seasonal vintage worker for Orlando Wines in the Barossa Valley. I had been in Australia travelling and working for almost 8 months at this point, but what I really wanted to do was to learn about wine from beyond the bottle. As such, I left the sunny beaches outside of Perth, bought the cheapest car that I could find (didn’t even make it through the entire vintage!), and began a new, invaluable chapter in my continuing wine education.

The Barossa Valley, as I would learn very well during my employment, is a special region. Arguably the most famous wine region in Australia, the Barossa Valley boasts 73 Cellar Doors, 150 Wineries, and the views to match the most elaborate chateaus. It’s no wonder why people come to drink through this part of Australia. The history of the region begins with early German settlers arriving in Bethany as early as the 1840’s and planting the first vines shortly thereafter. Something that really surprised me about the region is how compact it is; The Barossa Valley is only 40km by 30km with most of the wineries situated in between the towns of Lyndoch and Nuriootpa, with Tanunda acting as the “heart” of the region. The climate is hot and dry in the summers with autumn bringing a light chill in the evenings.

The most famous grape grown and produced is the classic Barossa Valley Shiraz, big in flavour and body. Cabernet Sauvignons don’t quite have the reputation of its Coonawarra counterpart, but do show well. The Eden Valley Riesling is the most recognizable white varietal winning recent worldwide acclaim. There is something very romantic about this region and you can’t help but be swept away while driving amongst the perfectly planted rows of vines, the barren hills surrounding the region, and the distinct, welcoming Cellar Doors. The first settlers were quoted as saying the Barossa was “the Cream, the whole cream, and nothing but the cream.” Couldn’t have put it better myself.

Upon returning home I immediately set out to find the best of the Barossa Valley that BC offers. Thankfully, Everything Wine carries a couple of my favourites. Just off Barossa Valley Way is St. Hallet. When you enter the winery the first thing to greet you is Stewy, the talking parrot. A fixture of St. Hallet, the staff claims that the parrot knows how to say every wine produced at the winery! The St. Hallet Faith Shiraz is a great value at $19.99, a full bodied wine complemented by huge flavor. This is a benchmark for Barossa Valley Shiraz with many producers comparing their entry level wines to St. Hallet’s.

My best tasting experience came at Langmeil Winery where I mentioned that I worked at Everything Wine and almost immediately found myself standing amongst the vines with a glass of their excellent Sparkling Shiraz in hand chatting with one of the owners. There is nothing like walking amongst and even touching the oldest Shiraz vines in Australia, the same vines that produce the iconic Langmeil The Freedom 1843 Shiraz. If you can’t afford the Freedom (well worth the money), then I would recommend the Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz at $29.99, a complex, juicy Shiraz that brings me back to my time at the winery.

Lastly, a must taste while in the Barossa Valley, Torbreck Winery opens almost every one of their extremely high quality wines at their Cellar Door. Their Run Rig, which we carry at Everything Wine, is included at the highest level in the prestigious Langton’s Classification as one of the most consistent and highest quality wines produced in all of Australia! You know that with that kind of consistency any of their wines are going to be excellent and the Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz at $29.99 is a perfect example of this.

If you are interested in Australian wines and want to learn more about this exciting and dynamic region, join me and co-host Sean Rusling on February 22 in North Vancouver as we take you through a tasting of terroir focused Australian wines. At only $25 this tasting is filling up fast so don’t delay!

Winemaker Thomas Perrin tastes the Perrin et Fils Vinsobres "Les Cornuds"

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:36:00 -0800

Learn more from the Winemaker, Thomas Perrin as we interviewed him on his Perrin et Fils Vinsobres "Les Cornuds" on location at VinExpo, France!

This spectacular bottle is available at Everything Wine! Click here to learn more about it!

Vlog: 2010 Black Hills Syrah – Unreleased!

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:44:00 -0800

Have you ever been to a 'Barrel Sampling"?
We were lucky enough to have a barrel sampling come to US at our North Vancouver location not too long ago. Our tasting bar guests had a chance to try the delicious and unreleased 2010 Black Hills Syrah. Hear what Jamie Kowan, the representative had to say about the wine:

Vlog: A delicious white blend from Tuscany's Ruffino winery!

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:11:00 -0800

There's such a limited supply of this here in British Columbia, you really have to try it before it's gone!
Listen for more details! Buy it here!

Come a wassailing to the Cork and Keg wine and beer festival

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:53:00 -0800

What a great time this event was and right in my own backyard of Langley. I’m speaking of course of the “Cork and Keg” event this past Friday September 30 where a lot of local and international wine, cheese and craft artisans showcased they’re wares. I took a cousin from out of town and he and I were amazed at the amount of great products that were available in the lower mainland alone. There were Cheese from South Surrey (Keso), Beer from Aldergrove (Dead Frog Brewery) and Mission BC (Mission Springs Brewing Co.) and catering services and culinary products from right here in Langley (Well Seasoned) not to mention all the great products internationally such as Argentina (Cantinian Wines), California (Belle Glos wines) and Chile (Vina Coyle) and so many more wines from BC (Blasted Church and Gray Monk). The evening was casual and lacking in pretension which was nice. The event was open to everyone and anyone whether you were a seasoned wine and beer expert or a curious knowledge seeker in which category my cousin definitely falls into as he swirled his beer and chugged his wine. I on the other hand had a little more sense to use the spit buckets provided for their named purpose. We worked the room slowly but surely that evening with our glass, he loving the white wines and beer and myself partial to reds and the cheese, oh the cheeses! I noticed however that my cousin was partial to the California and international wines, I watched intently as he savoured a Beringer white following it with a sigh of content. Well, after about the 4th time his satiated expression took place I pulled him towards a BC white from Blasted Church at which he simply looked at me and said “not bad”. I could not accept this review of our BC wine and thought to myself perhaps he was being coy or it was his way of implying Canada couldn’t possibly produce great quality wines worthy of his “to die for” expression. Then it clicked for me remembering that he was only a novice when it came to this sort of thing. I advised him to try the Blasted Church Riesling at which he then rolled back his eyes to a close and declared that this was HIS wine at which my response was, “yes sweet isn’t it, better than the Moscato and the Gewurtstraminer you tried earlier?” I did get him to try a red wine, the Belle Glos C&T Pinot Noir and he loved it as did I. I’ve always advised my friends that I could never find a Pinot Noir that I liked other than the Belle Glos Meomi but this was spicier, smoother and oh so beautifully balanced with sweet spices, cinnamon, ginger and cranberries, great for the upcoming holiday season, it made me want to open my presents tomorrow. My cousin was not the only one who discovered new things that evening I was surprised at the beers, at how much I liked them. I am not a beer drinker but if there was one that would change that for me it would be the dead frog pepper lime lager with a great black pepper and lime combination that made my mouth salivate in between sips. Mission Springs brewing company also produced some great beers such as the “Bombshell” and the “Fat Stout” that from the taste of it warns of results on the label. They gave us a couple of bars of soaps as well that they also produce. We had tasted great local cheeses from “Happy Days Goat Dairy” and “Keso cheese” as well as partaking of some artisan chocolates, fruits and crackers courtesy of “Edible Vancouver”. After about 2 hours, my cousin was feeling the fruits of his labour of waiting behind people from booth to booth that he not only swirled his beer and chugged his wine, but also began comparing the Caymus Zinfandel to baby duck. I knew that the evening was coming to a close. We both had a great time and took in more cheese than we would like and one of the best parts of the evening, just like a number of the companies that were there that evening - we were only blocks away from home.

Vlog: Daniel J. Belda Wines at Everything Wine

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:42:00 -0800

Helena of Daniel J. Belda Wines from Valencia, Spain made a trip out to North Vancouver's Everything Wine for an impromptu tasting and seminar on their beautiful Spanish Wines.

Limited stock and only available through delivery and at our North Vancouver location, here to learn more or to purchase:

Vlog: A visit from Wirra Wirra!

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:21:00 -0800

Julian Forwood, joins us from Wirra Wirra and features the Scrubby Rise Sauvignon Blanc/Sem/Viognier as well as the Cabernet Shiraz. It's a beautiful vintage and from a great area. A perfect taste of the McLaren Vale in a glass!

To Buy, simply click here!

Vlog: A visit from Osoyoos Larose's Winemaker, Pascal Madevon

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:51:00 -0800

Vlog: An Everyday Valpolicella!

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:43:00 -0800

Villa Borghetti Valpolicella is made by the Pasco family - a famous winemaking family since 1920s from Verona. Located in the Northeast corner of Italy, the Borghetti vineyards grow all the grape varietals comprised in Valpolicella.

This bright and lively Valpolicella is full of aromatic notes of cherries, vanilla and spice. Perfect on a cold night with beef stew or a risotto. But definitely - a fantastic everyday wine!
Click here to learn more and to purchase online!

Vlog: What's a Fitou?

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:41:00 -0800

Domaine de Courtal Fitou is is full of red fruit flavours, vanilla and spice.
Comprised of Carignan, Syrha and Grenache. It's perfect for a chilly weekend and your next wine and cheese night!

Buy it here.

Vlog: Vina Koyle takes the stage at Everything Wine

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:35:00 -0800

Patricio Torres joined us at Morgan Crossing this past week for a delicious tasting of the latest Vina Koyle wines. Learn more here!

To Buy & learn more, click on the following:
Vina Koyle Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva
Vina Koyle Syrah

Vlog: Argentine Malbec done in the French Way....

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:54:00 -0800

Learn more about this wine here!

Vlog: A French Malbec? Do Tell!

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:02:00 -0800

Gouleyant Malbec is from Cahors, French. Dave discusses further here!
Buy it online this weekend! Click here to buy!

Vlog: A Big Big Zinfandel from Mendocino County!

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:24:00 -0800

Big, Rich and full of ripe raspberries, plum, spice and peppers. You'll definitely find your match with Lamb and Beef with this fleshy zinfandel!

Vlog: A refreshing Summer Vinho Verde for the hot weather

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:25:00 -0800

A light fizz and a refreshing finish. Put the beer on the backburner and turn to this delicious vinho verde for this weekend's summer sippin weather!

Click here to buy!