What defines an icon wine? What are the hottest trends in BC wines right now? Which British Columbia wines are worth adding to your cellar? What will surprise you about BC wines?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with John Schreiner, author of Icon: Flagship Wines from British Columbia's Best Wineries, whom I consider to be the godfather of Canadian wine writing.

 

Highlights

• Why should you pay attention to the BC wine industry, despite how young it is?
• How does BC have an advantage over other wine-growing regions?
• What flavour profiles can you look out for in some of John’s favourite icon wines?
• How does the changing approach to British Columbia (BC) viticulture translate to your palate?
• Where can you find the Similkameen Valley?
• Why did John include Vanessa Vineyard's Meritage to his Icon list?
• How can you taste wine like an experienced wine writer?
• What history do you bring to your cellar when you buy an icon wine?
• Why should you invest in a bottle of Merlot or Chardonnay from CheckMate Artisanal Winery?
• What makes Hester Creek Estate Winery’s The Judge a must-have addition for your cellar?
• How can you see the winemaker’s personality come out in Cassini Cellars’ The Godfather?
• Why is Riesling the best white wine to age?
• How did a minor cork adventure start John’s wine-loving journey?
• What inspired John’s transition from business reporter to wine writer?
• How does John see the BC wine region and industry evolving over the next 5-10 years?
• Why did John dedicate Icon to the winemaker at Mission Hills?
• Why would John want to share a bottle of wine with Winston Churchill?

 

About John Schreiner

John Schreiner is a prolific and seasoned wine writer. Beginning with regular wine columns in the Financial Post and the Vancouver Sun in 1974, he published his first book, The World of Canadian Wines, in 1984 and has since written fourteen books on Canada’s and British Columbia’s wines and wine culture. He is a celebrated member of both national and regional wine communities across Canada and has judged in wine competitions in North America and abroad. He lives in Vancouver, where he maintains his own expansive wine collection.

 

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/71.