Anthony Gismondi: B.C. wine for the week of April 7, a bottle to cellar and calendar items

Article content

Kalala Organic Estate Winery, a family-owned winery producing organic grapes and wine since 2006, has acquired Little Straw Vineyards (née Slamka Cellars) in West Kelowna. The Slamka family has officially retired, and the Kalala family is looking forward to continuing their legacy.

Article content

Karnail Singh Sidhu, founder and viticulturist at Kalala, says plans are in place to transition to an organic vineyard over the next few years and for an official launch of a new winery scheduled for spring 2023. For now, Little Straw remains open seven days a week.

Top Drop Vancouver is returning May 9 to 11 at various locations across Vancouver. Organizers are touting 40 international wineries with principals in attendance from Champagne, Barolo, Napa, and beyond.

New this year is an extra day of tastings: the Main Event grand tasting will span two evenings — and two afternoons for the trade — May 10 and 11.

Tickets for the public event will be released on April 12. You can follow the release of this year’s participants on Instagram.

Article content

B.C. wine of the week

Narrative Non-Fiction Red Blend by Okanagan Crush Pad 2018, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

$23.99 I 90/100

UPC: 626990279860

Narrative wines speak to the unique meso-climate of the Okanagan. It is an arid desert landscape with cold winters and a shortish, intense, growing season. The result is vibrant, very natural wine — in its original sense — that sings freshness and vitality. The blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon dosed with some Cabernet Franc, and this year an addition of Merlot that gives the wine an interesting suave character. It is fermented and aged in concrete vessels for 12 months electrifying the blend that sings of wild herbs and juicy back fruit. Drink or hold, but buy this one.

Article content

Wine for the cellar 

Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga D’Alba 2016, Serralunga, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy 

$49.99 I 91/100

UPC: 8000174100027

This label first appeared in 1988, celebrating the terroir of Serralunga and the elegance of the Fontanafredda. You feel it in this wine that is a window into an outstanding vintage that will age with ease for a decade and beyond. Look for a classic garnet red colour and aromas of roses and spice with a light dusting of vanilla. It is dry and round on the palate and just beginning to open up, offering leather, spice and wild cherry notes. Full-bodied and long, it finishes with firm but manageable tannins. Honest and affordable.