Oleg Aristarkhov was still smiling weeks after getting the news that Master of Wine Rhys Pender had chosen a Moraine Viognier as one of a dozen wines—BC’s best—for the Visa Infinite Wine Country Weekend event. It has, after all, been a very good year at Moraine Winery. A steady stream of visitors has kept the wine shop busy and a fine harvest should yield another vintage of very nice wines under the care of winemaker Jacq Kemp.
In only their second year, owners Oleg and Svetlana Aristarkhov are producing excellent wine and offering tremendous hospitality to visitors to the Naramata winery.
The release this fall of three mouth-watering red wines gives customers even more to get excited about.
2012 Pinot Noir
Exhibits aromas of violets, licorice, cranberries and tamarillo. Its supple palate is nicely balanced with natural acidity and lingering juicy tannins. Enjoy this delicacy along side of some salmon, pork, or perhaps beef tenderloin.
2012 Syrah
Presents vibrant aromas of dark chocolate, white pepper and floral aromas, complemented by the juicy, inviting tannins. It is best to decant this wine when drinking young. Indulge your inner carnivore when pairing with this Syrah–the flavours are out of this world when mixed with some lamb chops, a thick juicy ribeye steak with peppercorn sauce, or shoot for the stars with some Chateaubriand topped with mushrooms!
2012 Malbec
Gives off haunting aromas of black currant, blackberries and black cherries that dominate while soft, rounded tannins linger on the palate. This wine partners well with all types of fowl, or savour it with a lean cut of lamb or beef. It is also adaptable and can be served next to spicy cuisine like Mexican, Thai, or Indian dishes.
For regular shipments of these wines and more, sign up for the Wine Club today at www.morainewinery.com.
~ Lorne Eckersley