B.C. wine of the week
Painted Rock Syrah 2022, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley
$49.99 | 93/100
UPC: 00626990105855
The thing about a top vintage like 2022 is the level some of the best sites can reach, which is not always attainable in lesser vintages. Expect a very fine Syrah, from its sophisticated bouquet of plums and earth to its Rhône-esque, savoury, mineral-driven, licorice-cracked pepper palate. Sleek and silky, it has all the earmarks of a wine you can cellar for more than a decade, yet its balance suggests you can enjoy it now — a fragrant, generous but restrained wine selling at a value price.
Value wine of the week
Synchromesh Riesling Storm Haven Vineyard 2025, Okanagan Falls
$30 | 93/100
UPC: 626990226994
Storm Haven ranks among Canada’s top Riesling sites, with wines crafted by Alan Dickinson. The vineyard sits at the base of Peachcliff Mountain, on a mountain-pass outflow, combining soils from the gravelly Gibson Block and the shattered slate of the Golddigger Block. Minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery, along with staged fruit harvests, allows the site to shine. The 2025 vintage is a remarkable wine, bursting with juicy pear, tangerine, and Honeycrisp apple, accented by hints of desert scrub and bright citrus acidity. The finish is mineral-rich, with subtle hints of ginger that add complexity to this delightful wine. Once again, it evokes the Mosel region. Perfect to drink now or cellar indefinitely. Super value.
Calendar Items
The public is invited to attend the GranVino Wine Walk in South Granville on Aug. 15, from 12 to 6 p.m. Guests can stroll from the Granville Street Bridge to 16th Avenue, sampling wines and ciders along the way. Tickets include up to 15 tastings, a limited-edition GranVino tasting cup, and a tote bag. Public plazas will feature live DJ sets, lawn games, promotions, and giveaways. Tickets are $95 plus fees; participants must be 19-plus. Participating wineries and cideries include Country Vines Winery, Gate 22 Winery, Gray Monk, Hester Creek, Kismit, La Stella, Lakeboat, Le Vieux Pin, Mythology Wines, Red Rooster, Sage Hayward, Sea Cider, Twin Island Cider, and Terravista. Tickets at eventbrite.ca
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Orofino Winery has introduced The Thursday Table, a relaxed pop-up dining event featuring rotating dishes by Tanya and Amanda at All About Charcuterie and seemingly much more. You will enjoy a variety of dishes, including pizza baked in the cob oven; Vietnamese-style subs paired with a tangy vermicelli noodle salad; loaded nachos; barbecue ribs cooked on the Asado grill with slaw and homemade cornbread; and lamb pops with mushroom risotto. The winery offers several wines by the glass to complement the food, along with a featured cocktail or beer. The event takes place Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard, except on Aug. 27. No reservations or formalities — just good food, wine, a relaxed atmosphere, and scenic views.
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