Wine Guy: Get to know these convenient, camping-approved wines and cocktail

Article content

Glass and the backcountry do not pair well together. Really, bottles in any active outdoor setting are a recipe for awkward, unnecessary accidents. So whether the motivation is reducing weight in the backpack or simply safety, for summer excursions consider packing in more portable potables. Which is easier to do now thanks to the proliferation of alternative wine packaging to canned cocktails, including these three locally produced arrivals. 

Article content

Quails’ Gate Piquette, Okanagan Valley

(about $6 for 250mL can, available at select private liquor stores; also $108 for 24 cans through the winery)

Think of piquette as light wine. Also, anticipate piquette to be a great option for summer sipping. A byproduct of the winemaking process, piquette is made by adding water to the grape leftovers and re-fermenting the remaining sugars in the grape pomace. The result is a lighter (5 per cent alcohol by volume) and lightly spritzed wine-esque potable — one that is finding more favour from B.C. wineries. This includes West Kelowna’s Quails’ Gate, whose white piquette is produced from residual Pinot Blanc and Riesling. It’s very aromatic with melon and citrus, and simple but refreshing overall before a tart and fizzy, green apple finish. 

Article content

Article content

Bottom line: B, Fun and spritzy.

The Wick Buckle Up Rosé, Abbotsford

(about $8 for 250mL can, available at select private liquor stores)

Putting credo to the idea of not just Rosé all day and but also everywhere, The Wick’s Buckle Up Rosé is conveniently packaged in 250mL cans that will class up any campsite. Produced by Abbotsford’s Cannon Estate Winery from Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes, it pours light pink and presents aromas of red fruit and rhubarb. A tart entry and lighter body overall earmark an easygoing pink wine that finishes fresh and less overtly fruity. It’s definitely a great firepit pick, and makes for a fun sip around the campsite — whether a pot of chili or fresh grilled fish is on the menu.

Bottom line: B, Canned and classy.

Article content

Please! Beverage Co. Mango, Coconut & Pandan, Vancouver

($19.99 for four 355mL cans, available at their tasting room or select private liquor stores)

Finally, for something different check out the crafted cocktails from Mount Pleasant’s Please! Beverage Co. Their tag line: Improper cocktails, proper ingredients, sums things up. Exhibit A is their Mango, Coconut & Pandan. Vodka-based, this engaging cocktail really is like liquefied mango sticky rice. Not altogether surprising given the ingredient list includes the aforementioned fruit as well as sticky rice. Tropical vibes with a sweeter overall style and nice texture, it’s fun and flavourful. And full disclosure, it’s also available in single 355mL glass bottles ($4.99 to-go at the tasting room), but save those for the comfort of the dinner table or patio.

Article content

Bottom line: B, Pair with tacos or takeout Thai.

The Swirl: Summer Social at The Fraser Valley Cider Company

For more summer fun head out to The Fraser Valley Cider Company at 22128 16th Avenue, Langley, to take part in the Summer Social. The fourth annual event takes place Aug. 16-18, with each day featuring libations crafted by local Fraser Valley businesses, freshly prepared food from local Langley establishments, lawn games, and live music. Tickets are $33 and include a souvenir tasting glass and five tasting tokens. To purchase and for complete details head to www.tourism-langley.ca/event.

Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.

You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber: For just $14 a month, you can get unlimited access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.

Article content