Wines from Unkown Countries

 

March 17 2025, we celebrated. Our celebration was for Barbara’s recovery from a health scare, St. Patrick’s Day, and Ken’s birthday.

We also included our annual wine event, Wines from an Unknown Country.  Each couple was asked to bring a wine from a country whose wines we seldom see in British Columbia, Canada.

Our first wine was from Island of Crete. Crete is the fifth largest Island in the Mediterranean part of Greece. The Island has played a major role in the history of Greek winemaking

The wine is Boutari 2022 Kretikos Vidiano- Vilana, a very nice white wine. One of Greece’s most successful export wine.

Next came a wine from one of the world underrated Countries Georgia. Tetri Kindzmarauli is made from the saperavi grape grown in the controlled appellation of Kindzmarauli. The regional winemaking is almost universal and is based on the ancient method. Its a slow fermentation at a low temperature that ends without all of the sugar being fermented.

 Our third selection came from Chile. Perhaps a better known wine region than Georgia and Crete . A baron Philippe De Rothschild. From the Valle Centre a very impressive wine. One where the flavours of the Carmenere shone through.

Our final selection was from South Africa: a Secret Cellar 2022 Shiraz Grenache. Most of South Africa's wine regions are situated on the coastline of The Cape where they take advantage of the cooling influence of The Southern Ocean. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted black grape variety.

We found all the wines to be excellent. Wines we would all be happy to buy again

 Dining at Morgan Creek Golf Club

With my wife in the hospital, our good friends Petter and June invited me out for dinner at Morgan Creek Golf Club. They suggested the golf course because it was halfway between their home in Tsawwassen and  mine in White Rock. I think the advantage was mine. 

The restaurant features a well-rounded menu and a Wine Bar. We selected the restaurant. The menu details a number of Seafood dishes, and on Sunday, the special was Prime Rib and Yorkshire Pudding.

June selected the Prime Rib which according to her was amazing. Peter and I selected the Beef dip. Beef dip is one of my favourites, and I had my mind made up before I arrived.

The waiter was friendly and provided excellent service. I asked about a Pinot Gris for my wine. The server made several suggestions, but only one BC wine, which I selected.

He said, “ I appreciate your sentiments. “Perhaps he was referring to the recent movement to support Canada. Of course, I have been a promoter of BC wines for over 30 years with a little website, Wines of Canada.