California Wine Tour returns

The wineries of California soon return to Vancouver for their 31st Annual Wine Tour. The main event, the California Wine Fair, takes place from 7 p.m. on March 11 and features more than 100 wineries pouring their potables at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. The stour is rounded out by a California Winery Dinner with Terlato Wine Group (March 9) and a Wine 101 evening (March 16). For complete details and to purchase tickets to all events in this Arts Club Theatre Company fundraiser, call 604-687-1644 or go to www.artsclub.com.

GRAY MONK 2009 GEWÜRZTRAMINER, B.C. ($16.99, #321588)

According to the trend spotters, outerwear is poised to become tomorrow's main fashion statement, with coats and jackets elevated to the style pantheon. Makes sense for fall and winter, but suppose the emphasis on outerwear will mean more lounging about al fresco under heat lamps to avoid disrobing the chic parkas. May as well embrace the spirit and pour a cold white. Gray Monk's latest Gewürztraminer keeps to classic, aromatic form. It jumps out of the glass with a rose petal and pomelo cologne, and a punchy intensity and off-dry finish make for fun, easy sipping.

Bottom line: B+ "Four season wine."

MISSION HILL 2009 FIVE VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR, B.C. ($19.99, #118844)

Colour-wise, black remains the new black, but the Fall 2011 runways also had the cognoscenti stepping outside their comfort colour with splashes of red, crimson, and burgundy. The obvious call then is Burgundy, matching Old World Pinot Noir to a fashion-forward palate. Or go New World Pinot. The "Five Vineyards" PN shows off a bright ruby colour, with spicy berry aromas and hints of toasty oak and earth. It's a stylish bottle on its own.

Bottom line: B "Try with Moroccan-spiced lamb burgers."

OGIER 2008 LES BRUNNELLES CROZES-HERMITAGE, FRANCE ($25.99, #485250)

Apparently the go-to fabrics in the year ahead will be a mashup of soft and rough, velvet and leather. Makes me want to reach for a glass of Syrah, specifically one that offers plush fruit complemented by savoury, almost gamey undertones and a pepper spice kick. A Syrah from the northern Rhône in France, like Ogier's Crozes-Hermitage, which has all the above as well as a lengthy, spicy and tart finish.

Bottom line: A-"Sassy and spicy."