Tonight I snuck away from work for a quick visit to check out Liquid Art’s 20th birthday celebration in Yaletown. Conveniently enough their office is just down the road from mine so it made for a nice little break from my computer (minus the rain).
Liquid Art is a part of the Trialto Wine Group and focuses on the import and sales of premium-quality wines. For their birthday they decided to open up their new releases and invite a good crowd in for some tasting, some tasty cheese trays and an amazing olive oil. But let’s face it, how could you not want to celebrate the birthday of someone who brings a killer list of wines into the Canadian market?
Some highlights of the tasting include:
Varnier-Fanniere Brut Grand Cru NV, France ($71.90)
• This champagne was irresistibly lite and refreshing with it’s small smooth bubbles. The acid was balanced nicely with the fresh citrus mineral flavours - had it not been for having to go back to work, I would have gone in for seconds on this one.
Billiot Brut Reserve NV, France ($69.90)
• This champagne had a lovely berry finish with slightly more acid and bigger bubbles than the Varnier-Fanniere
Chateau Tour de Mirambeau, Entre-Deux-Mers AC 2008, France ($24.90)
• This was by far my favorite white wine of the night – on the palate and on the nose there were strong hints of mineral and stone fruits. The finish was lite and there was a good balance of acidity
Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir 2007, Carneros USA ($37.99)
• To follow up my favourite white – we meet my favourite red of the night. This Pinot had the smoothness and the flavour profile of raspberry cheesecake – with the perfect balance of oak to let the flavours of the pinot grapes shine through
Domaine de la Mordoree “La Dame Rousse” Lirac Rouge AC 2006, France (30.90)
• This wine had strawberry jam on the palate with a nice balance of oak flavours and tannins. I’d say that it is well worth it for the price point
Alvaro Espinoza Kuyen 2007, Valle del Maipo Chile ($34.90)
• This Syrah/Cab Sauv/Carmenere blend gave off earthy and green leaf notes with smooth tannins – it had us craving steak by the end of the tasting
Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Napa Valley USA ($88.99)
• This big Napa Valley Cab left berry and barnyard flavours lingering on your palate well after sipping. I would definitely rather drink this one with food rather than alone
On that note, if you’re interested in investing in some quality wines, or looking for some great Christmas gifts – check out their inventory to see what kind of damage you can do (and by all means don’t hesitate to add us to your Christmas list!).