Of wheels and wine in Oliver
A self-professed gadget geek, somewhere en route to the South Okanagan the Hired Belly was busy dialing in the GPS on a smart 2009 Honda Accord EX-L.
If cars were wines, this sporty four cylinder would be up there with the likes of Gehringer's sleek pear and peach toned Optimum 2008 Pinot Gris; perhaps the racy acidity of Road 13 2008 Chenin Blanc, or even the fully loaded, complex, voluptuous, blackberry and smoky-mocha toned Nk'Mip Qwam Qwmt Meritage '06.
Not unlike the car, all over-deliver -- and none will break the bank.
In fact, when it comes to wine touring -- aside from a refrigerated trunk -- the only item missing on this head turner might be a newly available aftermarket GPS gizmo (known as 'GyPSy Guide') whose invisible team will lead you cheerfully through wine country, with all the appropriate winery details, based on your position. Rent it at airports and at most visitor centres (gpstourscanada.com).
Someone else we know who has a thing for cars is Tinhorn Creek winemaker Sandra Oldfield, who along with husband Kenn Oldfield and business partner Bob Shaughnessy just celebrated Tinhorn's 15th anniversary with a switch to a new and classically timeless label.
The Hired Belly is still wondering why he's never before hiked to the old stamp mill that overlooks Tinhorn Creek itself, tucked away in the ghost mine bluffs above the winery. Next time you visit, it's well worth the short walk up -- or you can make an afternoon of it and walk over from Gehringer and Hester Creek. But make sure you close the snake gate!
While we're comparing Accords to Pinots, we're thinking Sandy's much loved and impeccably restored '66 Mustang Coupe sports the same clean, enduring lines as her latest Gewurz. The just-released '08 is a reminder that for years Tinhorn's Gewurz was the winery's calling card -- and this one has all the classic style, with some floral and tropical aromas, a touch of lychee and grapefruit on the palate, good mouthfeel and -- just like the Mustang -- a great little kick in the end, perfect for bringing out the best in spicy dishes; PWS/VQA $16.50-ish.
While we're at it, we've also enjoyed at least one memorable ride in Kenn's crimson '66 Karmann Ghia Coupe, another gutsy classic that could easily be compared to that other Tinhorn stalwart, Cabernet Franc. The winery adopted the varietal at a time when most still dismissed it as a necessary ugly duckling, good only for blending, that would never fly as a single varietal.
Over the years, Tinhorn proved the cynics wrong; and not unlike the Ghia, the latest edition 2006 is well rounded, with a solid ride right through the palate and "under the hood" an appealingly robust edge -- polished with plush notes of cassis and dark fruit, along with hints of spice and smoke; BCLS/VQA $17.99.
While Tinhorn built its reputation on producing well made -- and highly affordable -- single varietals, in recent years Sandra Oldfield has turned her attention to blends, which seem only to get better. Case in point is the 2008 2Bench White, a highly appealing combo -- Semillon, Chardonnay, Sauv. Blanc and Viognier, with a splash of Muscat -- that delivers floral and tropical notes and clean citrus on the palate with juicy acidity and a zesty end. Deliciously refreshing, and very food friendly; BCLS/VQA $23.
Just put some in the limo, please!