Industry Experts Share Their Top Late Summer Wines

Selected by Bailey Williamson, Winemaker, Blue Grouse Estate Winery, Vancouver Island

“I drink it for the purity of fruit and the refreshing nature of white wine. It pairs perfectly with the local seafood.”

Available at Swirl Wine Store, Yaletown; Westwood WInes VQA, Coquitlam; Sardis Park VQA, Sardis; Granville Liquor Store; and Kitsilano Liquor Store

Selected by Christina Coletta, Co-owner, Okanagan Crush Pad

“It is fresh, juicy and crisp, and everything that is lovely about the Okanagan. It is a great wine to sit back with on the lake and watch life pass us by after a long day at our own winery.”

Available at Legacy Liquor Store

Selected by Christa-Lee McWatters Bond, Director of Marketing, Evolve Cellars; Marketing Director, Time Urban Winery; Hospitality & Marketing Director, Local Lounge and Grille; and new Chair of the B.C. Wine Institute, Okanagan

“I love this wine and not many days go by during the week that I don't enjoy a glass of it. It's fresh and lively while displaying a beautiful round, soft palate with a subtle yeastiness.

"Gorgeous aromas of strawberry and raspberries make it the perfect wine to start any evening and simply tastes like ‘more’."

Available at Marquis Wine Cellars, Legacy Liquor Store, Everything Wine, Sutton Place Wine Merchants and Village Liquor Store at Park Royal Village

Selected by Eric Griffith, Owner & General Manager, Alta Bistro, Whistler

“My wine pick today as I'm feeling the cool August weather in Whistler? A 2014 Pinot Noir (Bourgogne Rouge) from the Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France from Fougeray de Beauclair in the town of Marsannay.

"I love the wines from northern Burgundy, especially Marsannay because they have freshness, fruit intensity, structure and texture with a wild side, which gives them a sturdiness that works well with rustic cuisine, perfect for fall chanterelle and matsutake season, maybe with herb-roasted free-run chicken.

"I taste wild raspberries, clay, earth and sweet spices. The wine has medium body, balanced acidity and medium-fine tannins with a mouth-watering finish of wild berries and earth to keep you coming back for more.

"This specific wine is not widely available and private stores will be your best bet.  However its bigger brother from neighbouring town Fixin, where you can try this house's single vineyard Fixin "Clos Marion" 2012 ($56.99), is available in the BC Liquor Store–dynamite!"

Selected by Pat Allan, Restaurant Director & Sommelier, The Salted Vine (opening late summer 2016 in Squamish)

“I'm currently loving the Averill Creek Pinot Noir 2011 from Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island. I love this medium full-bodied Pinot Noir with flavours of black cherries, violet and raspberry. This is a versatile, end-of-summer wine that pairs well with fresh grilled B.C. salmon, summer vegetables and charcuterie—or even just to sip on its own.”

Available at select beer and wine stores, winery direct and by-the-glass at The Salted Vine

Selected by John Clerides, Owner, Marquis Wine Cellars, Vancouver 

“The undiscovered white wines from Portugal are a wine lover's dream. Simply put they offer exceptional value $13.85 (no tax) or $15.89 (with tax). The other thing that makes them fun is they are made with cool varietals.

"In this case, 85% Antão Vaz (85%) and Arinto (15%). They’re great with seafood, fresh vegetables and poultry (and of course, friends), and are thirst-quenching with notes of stone fruits and a bright lively acidity.”

Available at select private stores, including Marquis Wine Cellars

Selected by Lesia Knowlton, Marketing & Communications Manager Western Canada, Trialto Wine Group, Vancouver 

“I love the wine varietals Malbec and Cabernet on their own, and now I have found a Chilean red that has magically blended these two great varietals together. Twins Red has a degree of elegance which is a delight to find in the under $20 price point. 

"I’ve enjoyed  this with friends on casual summer BBQ nights and with the cooler days arriving soon, Twins Red will be a house staple for the weekend (or weekday) gatherings with friends and family.”

Available at BC Liquor Stores

Selected by Kieran Fanning, Sommelier,
Chambar Restaurant, Vancouver 

“This biodynamic Tuscan Syrah perfectly exemplifies what I seek in a late summer/early autumn red. The Podere Còncori 'Melograno' (meaning 'pomegranate' in Italian) caries enough levity and aromatic freshness for a sunny afternoon, with all the savoury earth and spice that fall cuisine craves.”

Available at private stores

Selected by Steve Edwards, General Manager & Sommelier, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, Vancouver

“I’ve been drinking a lot of chilled Cru Beaujolais lately. I’m particularly loving the the Marcel Lapierre Morgon NV—it's delicious! It has beautiful red fruit notes and fairly light tannins. It’s a perfect choice as we transition from summer to fall because it has great structure for such a light wine, as well as a really nice earthiness.

"All of the grapes are organic, which is a huge plus. Throw it in the fridge for an hour beforehand and pour yourself a glass to cool down on a lingering summer’s day, or brighten up one of those rainy fall nights.”

Available at BC Liquor Stores as well as private wine stores such as Everything Wine 

Chateau de Nages ButiNAGES Rosé, $24

Selected by David Stansfield, Wine Director, 
Vancouver Urban Winery

“It seems that everyone in Canada is crushing rosé this summer—present party included. The move to cooler nights in the dog days of summer should be no reason to put away the pink wine, particularly when it’s as complex as this organically grown Grenache/Syrah rosé from France’s Rhone Valley.”

Available at private stores