Wine Guy: Sip in the return of the Dragon

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This year the Lunar New Year arrives on Saturday, Feb. 10, marking the return of the Year of the Dragon.

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Of course, the occasion will be marked with celebrations and well-wishes, along with the opportunity to toast to good health, happiness and prosperity.

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To help pair with the convivial gatherings, here are a few local wines: something explicit, something primed for food-pairing, and something fizzy and festive.

Haywire 2021 Lunar Red, Okanagan ($23.88, available through the winery)

The Summerland-based Okanagan Crush Pad has released an annual, limited-edition Lunar Red since 2014, and to celebrate the Year of the Dragon the winery has put together a blend comprised of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fermented and aged for 11 months in concrete vessels, this is a juicy, fruit-forward red featuring ample berry and bramble. The mid-palate is bolstered by savoury tones and a slight anise kick, with a lissome yet punchy finish.

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This supple red will pair nicely with braised beef dishes or wok-fried noodles featuring a hint of smoke. 

Bottom line: B, complete with lucky label.

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2022 Benchmark Series Pinot Noir, Okanagan Falls ($41.97, available through the winery)

While the Lunar Red makes its matchmaking occasion explicit, as a general red wine partner for Chinese cuisine it’s tough to top Pinot Noir.

Fortunately, there are many solid made-in-B.C. examples, including Township 7’s newest release. Their Benchmark Series denotes the winery’s “ … standard for elevated quality,” and the 2022 vintage attests to that.

Made from grapes grown in the gravel, south-facing Remuda Vineyard in Okanagan Falls — a pocket of the valley known for growing prime Pinot Noir — it’s a richer, fulsome Pinot showing ripe black cherry and herbs that finishes fresh, fruity and dry.

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Bottom line: B, pair with mushrooms or braised tofu.

Culmina Family Estate Winery Nº 020 2022 Perle de Rosé, Golden Mile Bench ($35, available through the winery)

Then there’s bubbly. Always bubbly.

Synonymous with celebrations, it also helps that sparkling wine tends to go great with myriad Asian dishes.

For a fun option look to the Perle de Rosé from Oliver’s Culmina Family Estate Winery. This is the winery’s first foray into sparkling wine, and it’s enticing.

Made with organically grown Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the Golden Mile Bench, this peachy pink-coloured fizz wafts red fruit and apple aromas.

Fermented in stainless steel then bottle-aged, this lively bubbly maintains its focus on fruit and freshness through a lively finish.

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It will go great with fish and seafood, along with soy-glazed chicken.

Bottom line: B+, festive, textural and lip-smacking.

The Swirl: Dine Around & Stay in Town Victoria

Sometimes you don’t need to go far for a great getaway, and whether you live on the Island or throughout the province it’s worth noting that the Dine Around & Stay in Town festival is on through Feb. 11 in Victoria.

Marking its 20th year, the festival features more than 40 Victoria restaurants offering set three-course meals (at price points ranging from $25 to $65) paired with participating hotels offering special “Stay in Town” rates.

For complete details check out tourismvictoria.com/eat-drink/dine-around. 

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