Go With the Flow

da vine } { gurvinder bhatia
Go With the Flow
| TIDINGS
•
D e c e m b e r_ 07/J a n u a r y_ 0 8
I’m lucky. My passion is also my profession. But wine
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and food are not my only passions. Great music also elicits
the same strong emotional responses. Unfortunately, I am
void of any musical talent. Growing up, I took the requisite
piano, guitar and drum lessons, and while I could hear the
music in my head and feel the music in my soul, it never
quite sounded as good when delivered by my fingers. Oh
yeah, I can’t sing either.
One of the greatest experiences of my life was owning a
small blues bar ... being a part of the live-music scene, getting to know the artists and drawing inspiration from them
as they pursued their passion. I have always “celebrated the
small” when it comes to wine producers, but that philosophy holds true for music as well. I have great admiration for
those talented independent artists that are following their
dreams and inspiring their listeners. They do it because
they love it and they have something special to share that
enhances our lives.
What better way to celebrate both than to pair some of
Canada’s great indie artists with unique, distinct wines
from “indie” producers? Life is too short to drink bad wine,
and as the motto of independent artist label Six Shooter
Records very succinctly puts it, “Life is too short to listen to
shitty music.” So, this holiday season, give the gift of music
and wine. Many thanks to Aimée and Shauna for helping
me bring both together.
Hawksley Workman
Lover/FighteR
Bussola L’Errante IGT
2003,
Veneto, Italy ($65)
Rich, bold, and deep with an
edge. Hawksley’s a rocker, but
he doesn’t need to yell. He does it with forceful grace
and sophistication. Similarly, the L’Errante, made with
dried Cabernet and Merlot grapes, is robust, intense, uplifting and penetrating. The tannins are deceivingly soft,
but possess an underlying structure that gives the wine
substance and meaning. Astounding how simplicity can
evoke so much emotion! (To rock with Hawksley, go to
www.hawksleyworkman.com.)
Ann Vriend
Modes of Transport
Ruggeri Vecchie Viti
Prosecco DOC 2006,
Veneto, Italy ($38)
Ann and Ruggeri owner Paolo Bisol should get together and chat over a glass of Prosecco
some time. They are both old souls in young bodies
striving to create works of significance despite being
surrounded by an abundance of generic, uninspired fluff
in their respective industries. The Vecchie Viti is one
of the most beautiful and pure sparkling wines that I
have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. A perfect match
for Ann’s music and lyrics — compelling, intoxicating,
unadulterated and amazing. (Prepare to be intoxicated at
www.annvriend.com.)
Justin Rutledge
The Devil on a Bench in Stanley Park
Santa Maria la Palma Le Bombarde
Cannonau DOC 2006, Sardinia, Italy ($17)
When life is hectic and you want to slow things down
and don’t want to be disappointed — with both music
and wine — you
search for something soothing and
comforting. Gentle
and elegantly constructed with loads
of character, richness, depth and
a touch of spice.
Down to earth
and sincere, Justin
channels wisdom
far beyond his years, while the Cannonau possesses a
gracefulness far beyond its modest price. Step out of the
rat race for a few hours and let both put your mind and
soul at ease. (Chill-lax at www.justinrutledge.com.)
Royal Wood
A Good Enough Day
La Crema Pinot Noir
2005, Sonoma Coast,
California, USA ($38)
Luke Doucet
Broken (and Other Rogue States)
Vina la Reserva de Caliboro Erasmo
2003, Maule Valley, Chile ($30)
Listening to Luke conjures images
of a smoke-filled, back-alley club
or middle-of-nowhere roadhouse
where outsiders enter at their own
peril, but where this balladeer is
very much at home. His unique
country-jazzy-rock-rootsy sound
with engaging lyrics and captivating melodies definitely
calls for something unfiltered from a winemaker that
doesn’t play by the rules. Caliboro owner Francesco
Marone Cinzano is rewriting the rules in Chile: dry
farming, importing vines in quantities so large that the
Chilean government has limited subsequent imports,
macerating not for days but months and creating a wine
so good that others are inspired to strive for greater
heights. These two outlaws should go riding together
on the plains of Chile (or Manitoba). (Step outside the
box at www.lukedoucet.com.)
Rachelle van Zanten
Back to Francois
Col d’Orcia Rosso di
Montalcino DOC 2004,
Tuscany, Italy ($30)
Contemporary with traditional
roots, never forgetting where you come from — holds
true for both Rachelle’s music and the wines of Col
d’Orcia winemaker Pablo Harri. Simply expressing in
the bottle what the land and Mother Nature have given
him, Harri’s Rosso is elegant with lovely cherry and
dark-plum flavours with just a touch of earthiness.
Medium-bodied with a silky mouthfeel and a longlasting finish. Honest, sincere and from the heart ...
both Rachelle and the wine. (Check out the real deal at
www.rachellevanzanten.com.)
Emm Gryner
Asian Blue
Rabl Kaferberg Grüner Veltliner 2004,
Kamptal, Austria ($32)
Delicate, intense, exotic and undeniably attractive;
multidimensional, incredible depth and complexity
with a compelling edginess. The wine’s pretty damn
good too. (Prepare to be swept away to a place you may
not want to come back from at www.emmgryner.com.) •
w w w.t i d i n g s m a g .c o m |
Listening to the gospel-like, theatrical sounds of Royal Wood, I can’t help but be taken
back to the voice of a young Billy Joel and the song
style of Paul McCartney. Calming (in a lonely sort of
way) and introspective … yet you can feel the angst and
heartache. Love and heartache — sounds like the relationship most winemakers have with Pinot Noir. You
nurture it, love it, give your heart and soul to it and it
either blossoms into something wonderful and sensuous
... or it doesn’t ripen and stays green and bitter. Fortunately, the La Crema’s relationship with its winemaker
is a clear example of the former. (Contemplate life at
www.royalwood.ca.)
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