Anthony Gismondi: B.C. wine for the week of Dec. 22, a bottle to cellar and calendar items

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New Year’s Eve, Provence will be open from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. for brunch only and reopens from 4 to 1 a.m. with the last reservation at 10.45 p.m. for dinner. You can ring in the New Year with a special à la carte menu available New Year’s Eve, including Fresh Oysters, Paté de Campagne au Foie Gras, Warm Goat Cheese Salad, Saffron Shellfish Steamer, Roasted Frenched Rack of Lamb, Beef Tenderloin, Whole Lobster and the ever-popular Seafood Platter to name but a few of the many culinary delights plan to ring in the New Year.

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You will also be serenaded with live music courtesy of local jazz legends Tom Arntzen and Adam Rohrlick. Reservations are online, or call the restaurant at 604-681-4144.

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Vinequity has opened its second round of scholarship applications providing scholarships ranging from $250-$5000 top tier wine education programs such as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, CAPS or any Wine Education Program at a Canadian College, including Brock University, Niagara College, University of British Columbia, Okanagan College or Vancouver Island University.

Applicants must be at least 19 years of age, identify as an Indigenous or Person of Color, and you must specify a specific course, education provider and enrolment date to which they request funding. All completed applications must be postmarked or electronically submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 7. You will find complete details at vinequity.ca/scholarships.

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B.C. wine of the week

Robin Ridge Organic Gamay 2021, Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada 

$25.90 I 90/100

UPC: 626990155027

Gamay continues to shine at Robin Ridge, a tiny boutique producer in the wild, windy, rocky Similkameen. The terroir is spare, providing the perfect platform for this Gamay to thrive. Lean, tight, and red-fruited, with cherry and black plum nuances, this is vibrant from front to back. Precision and delicacy with a peppery undercurrent draw it across your palate in a straight line, asking for a chunk of grilled salmon, pork sausages or turkey. Crunchy, juicy, and mineral-scented, it has all the attributes of seriousness. Look for this in the Save-on-Foods as well as government BCL Stores.

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Wine for the cellar 

Champagne Dom Pérignon Vintage Pinot Noir — Chardonnay 2012, Champagne, France 

$288.99 I 96/100

UPC: 3185370693445

Their 2012 is a vintage to be reckoned with, and having tasted it now; we can confirm that this Dom is doing fine in the bottle after 10 years. Today, the wine shows plenty of promise as it emerges a decade later. Typically fresh but mouth-filling, the nose is a mix of stony minerals, chalk and white flowers. The palate is expansive and complete with ripe apricot notes, flecks of rhubarb and dried herbs and more of that chalky minerality in the finish. Long, seductive and flavourful, this is a wine to sip and savour for as long as possible. They like to talk more about energy in Champagne, and this wine has more than its share. This is the bottle to buy when you want to celebrate or see the stars.

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