Posted January 21st, 2010 03:01 by tfirth
Its always great to get an invitation to a wine tasting. Its even better when you get to support a winery you like and believe in the wines, and it is possibly the best ever, when the tasting is part of a "victory tour" for something you are involved in. I wouldn't have missed it for the world when I got the notice that my friends from Andrew Peller (the parent company) would be in Calgary on January 21 for a few days to promote Sandhill Estates awards from the Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards (CWA). As you may know, Sandhill was awarded the prestigious title of Canadian Winery of the Year in the 2009 competition. To go with this tough achievement, Sandhill also won White Wine of the Year and tied for Red Wine of the Year with its 2008 Osprey Ridge Viognier and the 2007 Phantom Creek Syrah-both from the Small Lot Series from Sandhill. In addition, Sandhill took home 2 Gold medals, 7 silver, and 12 bronze at the 2009 CWA's. This was a first for the competition that one winery won three of the top awards. Howard Soon, the winemaker is a national treasure, the incredibly talented, and humble Howard has been making wine in BC's Okanagan Valley since 1980 and was one of the first winemakers in the valley to identify the grapegrowers and recognize them as a valued part of the wines that he makes.
Yesterdays event took place in the afternoon at the Trib Steakhouse on Stephen Avenue in Calgary from about 430 until 630pm. With Howard and a number of key people from Andrew Peller in attendance, we were treated to almost the entire line-up of Sandhill wines including the now almost impossible to find viognier and syrah. In recent weeks, I have been favouring white wines to shed the winter blah's and where better to start than with the 2009 White Wine of the Year?
This was the 4th time I have had the wine now-the first-while judging for the Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards last summer when it was the showing power, elegance, and incredible complexity which elevated it the top of the list and blew away the panel of judges. I have to say, the wine has gotten better from that lofty height when I tasted it yesterday. Some of the acids have calmed down a little, making it just a touch more friendly when tasted without the benefit of food. Incredible mineral complexity and floral expression. I don't buy that much wine, but I wish I had chased these down while I could and I might have to chase the new vintages down when they are released next year.
Other wines that shone were the 2008 King Family Vineyard Pinot Gris, the Small Lots Two (a cab, merlot and syrah blend) and Three (sangiovese, barbera, merlot, and cab sauv) and I hear the Phantom Creek syrah was showing very well too, but that was a popular tipple for the attendees and sometimes they just run out of a certain wine and there is nothing you can do.
Howard said a few words to the assembled crowd and about the competition in general and how much it meant to him that Sandhill won the top honours at the competition. To paraphrase a line from Howard speech, "Most wineries would give their left arm to win this award". Thanks Howard. Like a seasoned entertainer, he didn't talk too long, and allowed the wine to speak for itself while he was able to talk about the wines individually and mingle with the group. The Trib did an incredible job with the appetizers and nibbles. Wandering around the room almost every comment you overheard was either something about how good the wines were or how much people couldn't get enough of the food. All in all a great event to start off 2010, and looking forward to a great year of wine and food.
Cheers!
Awards Canadian Creek Howard Soon Okanagan Osprey Peller Phantom Ridge Sandhill wine
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