G. Beale
CedarCreek Gewürztraminer 2011, BC VQA Okanagan Valley, $17.90
This crowd-pleaser will nail any BYOB neighbourhood block party on a simmering summer day.
Aussie Daryll Brooker, in his second season making this Gewurz, wanted a more Alsatian-style wine so did some aging in French oak barrels, something rarely done.
It pays off – it's rich, impeccably balanced with a crisp, dry finish and has a rose-petal aroma.
Pairings with peppery hot Asian dishes don't guarantee success – the combination of spiciness of the food and high alcohol content can be harsh.
Instead, try aromatically spiced dishes, smoked or grilled meats, crab cakes with fruit salsas and hard-to-pair frittatas, omelets and quiche.
Available at B.C. Liquor Stores, VQA and private wine shops.
Kasey Wilson is food editor of Wine Access magazine and editor of Best Places Vancouver.