About Wine
Where's The Cork? The twist cap, "Stelvin closure", is becoming more common with wines. Here's why:
- Eliminates cork taint, which causes that musty smell and taste.
- Virtually eliminates all risk of oxidation which dulls the wine.
- Helps the wine age by preserving its freshness, aromatic and varietal character.
- And last and most important: it's convenient - simply replace the cap and twist to re-seal!
Environmentally Friendly Denman Place Wines!
We currently carry a selection of wines that fall under all three of these environmentally friendly methods of production....
Sustainable: Currently there is no official certification for sustainable farming. Sustainable farmers have the flexibility to choose what works best for their individual property so that they can be profitable, recycle, conserve energy and water, and use renewable resources whenever possible. The sustainable farmer works around three basic concepts: 1.) Environmentally sound. (2.) Economically feasible. (3.) Socially equitable.
Organic: Organic farmers strive to conserve soil and water by using renewable resources. However, organic standards prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Certification takes up to three years and includes annual reviews and fees. This is why many farmers have organic wine but do not label organic on the bottle.
Biodynamic: Biodynamic faming goes beyond organic standards to incorporate criteria to promote biodiversity, soil health and the accomodation of nature on the farm and in winemaking practices. Optimal conditions are achieved by cultivating healthy, naturally robust farm ecosystems and by utilizing active crop rotation and composting on-farm and winery wastes for farming, with attention to natural cycles. The wine is not inorganically manipulated, as only indigenous yeasts are used in fermentation, along with no additional sugar being added and only bentonite clay and egg whites from ogranic free-range chickens being permitted for refining. There is a strong connection with nature emphasized with biodynamic farming.
Sustainable/Biodynamic Wineries: Cousino-Macul (Chile), Antech (France), Villa Maria (New Zealand), Summerhill (B.C.), M. Chapoutier (France), Winds Of Change (South Africa), Babich (New Zealand)
Organic Wineries: Pares Balta (Spain), 8th Generation (B.C.), Renato Fenocchio (Italy), Oak Bay (B.C.), St Hubertus (B.C.), Maurel Vedeau (France) and many more....
Wines for the summer:
Rose, Rose, Rose!
So, most people have their own ideas about rosé. Most of those ideas stem from being introduced to rosé in the form of something really light and fruity and sweet (cough.... white zin... cough). However, the rosés being put out today are nothing of the sort! I myself was a pink drink skeptic at first, scoffing at people drinking candy coloured liquid from 'pretty' bottles and writing it off as an entry-level attempt to drink wine by people that don't know any better. Imagine my surprise 4 years ago when I stumbled upon the Joie Rosé! At first I was hesitant, knowing little to nothing about good rosé (which as you can see, still qualified me to make judgements about other people drinking it... ?) and figuring that I was in for a sugary sweet but relatively flavourless ride. To my utter and complete joy, it turned out to be the complete opposite of what I had imagined it was going to be. It was fragrant and fruity. Balanced and bright. Refreshing and flavourful. In short, I fell in love. From that moment on, I have been an eager and willing participant in any and all rosé tastings. I have found nothing short of a entirely new way of looking at wine. French rosé with its delicate minerality and crisp, light flavours. Local pink wines with their huge fruit and amazing ability to adapt to food pairings of all sorts. Spanish, Portugeuse, Australian... the list goes on and on and they all have subtle differences that make them unique. It is extremely satisfying to find a love for a certain type of wine that you may previously have shunned for whatever reason and discover the depths and differences that make those wines delicious. With that thought in mind, I encourage you to stop and smell (and taste) the rosé this summer... you never know, you too might find a love for it hidden in your taste buds!
In Store Rose Selection:
Gazela Rose- $ 12.90 St.Hubertus Frizzante - 16.35
Joie - $ 20.90 Angoves Nine Vines - $ 16.80
Wild Goose Blanc de Noirs - $ 20.35 Pansy by Kim Crawford - $17.20
Dirty Laundry Hush - $21.90 Beringer White Zinfandel - $ 11.40
Dunham & Froese - $18.40 Misconduct Massacre - $23.60
Stags Hollow - $19.75 Lorgeril L'Orangie - $15.60
