The Wine List: B.C. Subs for Famous International Wines

It’s been quite a year, no? Weather events, tariff turmoil, empty shelves… and that’s just the wine world. But let’s not dwell on all the chaos. It’s autumn, and the harvest is a time to reflect on our gratitude for all we do have, like an amazing, tenacious community of winemakers who are building something special here on home soil. Whatever’s going on out there in the world, at least we’ve got plenty of hometown heroes to turn to for a little pick-me-up. So with that in mind, we’re going all-Canadian with our picks this issue, featuring stellar, locally produced wines that sub in seamlessly for famed international bottles. Pour yourself a glass and let’s toast the fact that there’s still so much to be grateful for in our own backyard.

READ MORE: Best Bottles Made With Cross-Border Grapes

1. Quails’ Gate Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2022, $60

As it stands right now, you’re going to have a tough time getting a bottle of Russian River pinot from California, but this flagship bottle from Quails’ Gate makes a great substitute, ticking all the Cali boxes, with ripe cherries and notes of cola. There’s a vein of acidity here, though, that keeps exceptional balance going. It’s great now, but this wine has the structure to easily age a decade.

2. Fort Berens Blanc de Blanc 2022, $35

We have no boeuf with our French amis and their luxurious champagne, but we’re living in a golden time for B.C. bubbles. Case in point: this glorious bottle from Fort Berens, all chardonnay, all restrained elegance but with a mouthfeel and fine mousse (that’s the quality of those little bubbles) that will have you thinking of Reims (and loving that you saved $50, to boot).

3. Meyer Family McLean Creek Road Chardonnay 2018, $41

No that’s not a typo—yes, this wine is from 2018, and yes, it’s only $41. In the past few years, Meyer has solidified its place as one of the elite chardonnay producers in B.C. and, vintage in, vintage out, there are never any duds. So if you like the flavour profile of a Pouilly Fuissé but the consistency (and price) of B.C., here you go. And they have a selection of library wines—like this one—on their site that is unprecedented in this province. Dive in now.

The Read: Three Cheers

When local bartender Kaitlyn Stewart won the Diageo World Class competition in 2017, she went from local luminary to international star overnight. Since then, she’s traversed the globe consulting on cocktail programs, and now we get the benefit of all these gigs in her new book Three Cheers, which takes 55 familiar drink recipes and gives you three different takes—classic, a new twist and a zero-proof option—to suit whatever shindig you’re throwing. Available October 7.