Anthony Gismondi: B.C. wine for the week of June 2

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Averill Creek Vineyard will host the inaugural Noir Fest on June 25–26. The two-day event will be an exploration of Pinot Noir featuring specialist winemakers from across Canada.

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Averill Creek winemaker Brent Rowland says the goal is to create an event that provides a stage for the country’s most passionate Pinot Noir producers to talk about their experiences and terroir. Nine separate sub-regions or Gis will be on show during the intimate event that should give attendees a unique look at the state of Canadian Pinot Noir.

In addition, all-star Chef Nicole Gomes will return to the winery to cook an array of Pinot-friendly small bites to dazzle your palate.

Tickets are going fast at averillcreek.ca/noir-fest.

Confirmed wineries joining Averill Creek include Anthony Buchanan Wines, Birch Block, Blue Grouse, Emandare Vineyard, Kutatas, Lighting Rock, Martin’s Lane, Mason Vineyard, Meyer Vineyard, Rathjen Cellars, Tantalus Vineyards, Trois Moineaux, and Unsworth.

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• B.C. Dairy is extending its support of B.C. Food Banks launched early in the COVID-19 pandemic with new support for local food production and restaurants working to get back to normal.

Tagged the feel-good food campaign it runs until June 19.

B.C. Dairy will make a $3 donation to Food Banks B.C. every time someone orders a select menu item highlighting local B.C. dairy products at participating restaurants in Metro Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna.

The items are as diverse as the participants, some at multiple locations: Fable Restaurants (three); Bel Café (two); Jam Café (three); Old Spaghetti Factory (eight); Home Restaurants (five); Pizzeria Prima Strada Victoria (three); Seahorses Café in Brentwood Bay; Bohemian Café (three), Bliss Bakeries; Krafty Kitchen; and The Orchard Room.

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Wine of the week

Vanessa Vineyard Syrah 2018, Cawston, Similkameen Valley

$40.99 I 91/100

UPC: 626990238331

Expect meaty, smoky, reduced notes on opening that is best dealt with by a splash decant and some time in the decanter. Similkameen Syrah can be wild and raw, and this wine is both but with a sense of elegance that pulls you back to the glass. The juicy sweet and sour notes of damson plum thread through the peppery black fruit, toast and vanilla. Big rich and full-bodied, it will need time in the bottle before it fully matures.

Wine for the cellar

Domaine Vacheron Sancerre 2020, Sancerre, Upper Loire, Loire, France 

$47.99 I 91/100

UPC: 3458965723910

Domaine Vacheron Sancerre is a biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc grown on the 47-hectare family estate of calcareous, flint soils, now under the direction of the third generation. It’s all picked by hand into small 20 kilogram boxes. The bunches are pressed and decanted cold before fermenting in stainless tanks. The nose is an intoxicating mix of white and yellow flowers. The palate is light and lively, with green fruit, mineral, chalky notes and a fine thread of complexing lees — a big-time winner with aging possibilities, long, electric and persistent. Perfect for simply-adorned seafood dishes.