07/31/2024
While our friends in France’s Rhône Valley along with our mates Down Under have long espoused the many virtues of Syrah, some of us Canadians are still playing catch up.
The critical piece of knowledge that we feel most Canadian wine lovers should understand is that Syrah has proven itself to be one of the most, if not the most, reliable and world-class varieties that British Columbia can produce.
It seems like no matter what the vintage gives us, the Syrah grape yields a result that is always interesting, always worthy of contemplation, and most of all, is always an absolute pleasure to indulge in.
The 2022 vintage gave us an elegant expression, with notes of violet, white pepper, and purple fruit packaged in a refined frame with very subtle French oak character.
It is a wine that is at once satisfying and unapologetically medium-bodied, making it an excellent companion to warm summer evenings on your terrace. Heck, it may even be a candidate for a nice final-final in the hot tub before you hit the hay.
While we would never NOT suggest a pairing of grilled striploin au poivre with such a wine, we feel that this Syrah would also match well with roast pork loin alongside caramelized root vegetables finished with a dash of smoked sea salt and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Toss in a summer salad of peppery arugula and radicchio and you’ve got an evening that you’ll remember for some time.
Ultimately, the context in which you decide to enjoy this wine is entirely up to you. We just hope that you will, indeed, enjoy it.
