{"title":"Vitis","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eVitis\u003c\/i\u003e magazine is dedicated to B.C.’s rapidly evolving wine culture. \u003ci\u003eVitis\u003c\/i\u003e aims to capture the excitement, passion and dedication of the scene by telling the stories of wineries and the passionate people that own and operate them, as well as offering insights into the finer points of wine and current trends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eVisit us at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/bc.vitis.ca\/\" title=\"Vitis Magazine website\"\u003ebc.vitis.ca\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFollow along on \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/vitismag\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Vitis Instagram page\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eInstagram\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/vitismag\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Vitis Facebook page\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eFacebook\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/vitismag\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Vitis Twitter page\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eTwitter\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"vitis-issue-1-fall-2018","title":"Vitis Issue 1 • Spring\/Summer 2018","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eIn our inaugural issue, we cover the stories everyone is talking about in the world of B.C. wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWriter Tim Pawsey catches up with B.C. wine legend Harry McWatters and his new urban winery. Master of Wine Rhys Pender describes how the Similkameen Valley, where his own winery is located, is catching up to the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eCharlene Rooke samples the controversy over natural wines, while Daenna Van Mulligen looks into what makes a winning wine list, and Treve Ring discovers some unusual global grapes growing in our backyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003ePlus we have lots more delicious tidbits for you to sample!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40077114703990,"sku":"VITIS01","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/Vitis_Issue-1.jpg?v=1686072435"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-2-spring-summer-2019","title":"Vitis Issue 2 • Fall\/Winter 2018","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eIn this issue, we take a look at some of the province’s standout winery architecture, starting with the stunning new Tom Kundig-designed Martin’s Lane Winery. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWe follow writer Cinda Chavich along the winding roads to Vancouver Island’s charming wineries, join Daenna Van Mulligen in a taste of Valpolicella’s big reds and bring our appetite on a tour of Kelowna’s newest restaurants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePlus: Treve Ring gives us a sneak peek of what it’s like to judge Canada’s biggest wine competition, while Charlene Rooke explains why you really should join a wine club and Tim Pawsey explores the heights of B.C.’s loftiest vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40077116997750,"sku":"VITIS02","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/Vitis_Issue-2.jpg?v=1686072782"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-3-spring-summer-2019","title":"Vitis Issue 3 • Spring\/Summer 2019","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this issue, writer Daenna Van Mulligen indulges in pretzels and Riesling in fairytale Alsace. Closer to home, we explore the Fraser Valley’s growing wine scene, while Barb Wild advises on wines to bring to the great outdoors, Cinda Chavich suggests cheeses for your picnic basket and Laura Starr explains what “garagiste” wines are and why you should care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the serious side, we look at how wildfires are affecting wine country, while Tim Pawsey demystifies what’s going on with B.C.’s new sub-appellations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40077117456502,"sku":"VITIS03","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/Vitis_Issue-3.jpg?v=1686073243"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-4-fall-winter-2019","title":"Vitis Issue 4 • Fall\/Winter 2019","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIn this issue, our writers are looking into some of the big issues surrounding sustainability in wine country. Charlene Rooke delves into the organic movement sweeping across the province. Tim Pawsey asks why B.C. has no sustainable certification—yet. Cinda Chavich checks out climate research on Vancouver Island. And Barb Wild samples vegan wines and defines biodymanics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eMeanwhile, we’re heading into fall, season of bold flavours, cosy gatherings and good reads by a crackling fire. Join us as we go deep into one of B.C.’s most remarkable wine cellars, explore wine regions old and new, and savour what’s cooking at Home Block, the Okanagan’s most exciting new restaurant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePour yourself a glass of your favourite fall wine, and join us for the journey.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40077117522038,"sku":"VITIS04","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/Vitis_Issue-4.jpg?v=1686073443"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-5-summer-2020","title":"Vitis Issue 5 • Summer 2020","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIn this issue, we have plenty of news about what’s happening in B.C. wine country. Tim Pawsey looks at how B.C.’s wineries are surviving COVID-19, and then takes us behind the scenes at the opulent, game-changing Phantom Creek Winery in the South Okanagan. Rhys Pender explains why less is more when it comes to using oak on our fresh, fragrant grapes. Daenna van Mulligen samples a rainbow of rosés. Charlene Rooke discovers new winemaking technology. And we flip through the pages of Jennifer Schell’s new cookbook, which is filled with family recipes from our favourite winemakers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40077121093750,"sku":"VITIS05","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/Vitis_Issue-5.jpg?v=1686073574"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-6-fall-winter-2020","title":"Vitis Issue 6 • Fall\/Winter 2020","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIn this issue, we explore how Earls, Cactus Club and JOEY have all invested in talented sommeliers who are training the palates of a generation of servers and consumers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAlso, after months of staying close to home, we’re excited to explore wine regions from Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley to Lake Country in the North Okanagan to Ventoux, the mountainous appellation in the Southern Rhône that is showing so much promise. We follow the “tortilla trail” of Mexican restaurants that have popped up in the South Okanagan. We check in with Emily Walker at the newly re-opened Naramata Inn, where she plays with every vintage in B.C. and beyond. And we discover what that gorgeous herbal fragrance wafting across wine country really is.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40077121257590,"sku":"VITIS06","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/Vitis_Issue-6.jpg?v=1686073672"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-7-spring-summer-2021","title":"Vitis Issue 7 • Spring\/Summer 2021","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eIn this issue, we’re getting down in the dirt, digging into the unique soils from which British Columbia’s exciting wines spring. We map the province's soil types, and chat with wine country's top soil scientist, Scott Smith, who is defining its Geographical Indications. We also visit Blue Mountain Vineyards to taste how terroir affects the flavours of wine planted only rows apart. And we follow Anthony von Mandl on the trail of the glaciers that carved out the Okanagan Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAlso: we look at the new generation of wine clubs, which bring the world right to your door. We check in with the respected and prolific wine writer John Schreiner as he embarks on a vintage memoir, and we reminisce about the virtual wine groups that made the last few months bearable. Finally, we check out what’s going on in West Kelowna these days. Plus we have winery listings, wine news, restaurants and so much more.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40077122240630,"sku":"VITIS07","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/Vitis_Issue-7.jpg?v=1686073850"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-8-fall-winter-2021","title":"Vitis Issue 8 • Fall\/Winter 2021","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall is the time to get serious, to sharpen our pencils, learn something new, and exchange frivolous patio sippers for dark, complex, thoughtful wines. It also seems like a good time to launch a new column, especially when it’s written by one of B.C.’s most knowledgeable, engaging and highly respected wine educators, DJ Kearney. DJ is an engaging writer, judge and sommelier, and she brings us insider international news and trends in her column, Pipette. We’re thrilled to dip into the wide world of wine with her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso in this issue: Rhys Pender MW explains why we should all be drinking more zesty, savoury orange wine. (Just leave some for us, OK?) Cinda Chavich, who wrote The Waste Not, Want Not Cookbook, samples piquette, the sustainable old-school thirst-quencher that’s all the rage right now. Tim Pawsey pays homage to wine country pioneers George and Trudy Heiss, founders of Gray Monk Estate Winery. Charlene Rooke looks into the future and sees wine tastings moving on-screen. Christine Campbell demystifies hybrids and crosses. And we talk to the pros about mushrooms, wild and cultivated, and explain how to cook them and pair them with wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow, between heat domes, wildfires and variants of concern, this wasn’t quite the carefree post-pandemic summer we were hoping for. That’s why we’re delighted to share with you Daenna van Mulligen’s piece on the very good dogs of B.C.’s wineries. It’s sure to bring a smile to your face, just when we need it most.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlus we have winery listings, wine news, and so much more.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40077125877878,"sku":"VITIS08","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/Vitis_Issue-8.jpg?v=1686074555"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-9-spring-summer-2022","title":"Vitis Issue 9 • Spring\/Summer 2022","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpring is the season of renewal and, this year more than most, a season of hope. And we sure need it—2021 was a challenging year by any measure, with its heat domes and atmospheric rivers, its wildfires and floods, and, of course, the second year of a global pandemic that has affected every aspect of our lives. Thank goodness there has been wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn this issue of \u003cem\u003eVitis\u003c\/em\u003e, we’re thrilled to get back into wine country, and to bring you along for the journey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDaenna Van Mulligen introduces us to the international rock star winemakers who are discovering the infinite potential of the South Okanagan at Phantom Creek Estates. Rhys Pender MW turns the tap on irrigation and explains why we (and everyone who loves wine) should care. We travel back to one of our favourite wine regions and sample the powerhouse wines of Napa Valley. Christine Campbell traces the Pinot family tree. And our Pipette columnist DJ Kearney dishes on what’s happening in the wider world of wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhere there is great wine, there is also good food. Tim Pawsey talks to the experts to learn the new rules of pairing Asian flavours with wine. And we visit Backyard Farm, where chef Chris Van Hooydonk is cultivating a whole new approach to farm-to-table cuisine. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlus we have winery listings, wine news, and so much more. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40077126008950,"sku":"VITIS09","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/VITIS_Issue-9.jpg?v=1686074674"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-10-fall-winter-2022","title":"Vitis Issue 10 • Fall\/Winter 2022","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the last few years have proved beyond any measure of doubt, the only certainty is uncertainty. But wine country is resilient. Everyone in the business of growing, making, selling and serving wine is supportive, adaptive and dedicated to making sure you have wine in your glass. And here at \u003cem\u003eVitis\u003c\/em\u003e, we love telling their stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this issue, Tim Pawsey checks in with a crop of small, new B.C. wineries whose owners are chasing big dreams. Rhys Pender MW looks into the clever techniques wineries are using to combat the effects of smoke in wine. In Pipette, DJ Kearney investigates the future of oak. And Daenna Van Mulligen asks Vancouver somms for tips on getting out of a wine rut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you turn to the same wines over and over again, it’s time to try something new. How about a Cowichan Valley Chardonnay? It’s suddenly become the Island’s most exciting new grape. Or maybe you should head to the Alps for some Chasselas from the steep, picturesque terraces of Switzerland’s UNESCO-registered Lavaux region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we head into fall and autumn, we hope you fill your glass with something delicious and raise it to the people who helped put it there. Then join us in these pages for their stories, as well as winery listings, wine news, and so much more. We’re so very glad to have you along.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40077126664310,"sku":"VITIS10","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/VITIS_Issue-10.jpg?v=1686074801"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-11-spring-summer-2023","title":"Vitis Issue 11 • Spring\/Summer 2023","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWelcome to the Spring\/Summer 2023 issue of \u003ci\u003eVitis\u003c\/i\u003e, the magazine of British Columbia’s wine culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAs this issue of \u003ci\u003eVitis\u003c\/i\u003e goes to press, we are in the throes of B.C. Wine Month, which is pretty much our favourite time of year. It’s the sixth year that the province has marked the month of April by encouraging us to enjoy more local wine. This, please note, is not exactly a hardship: B.C.’s unique terroir produces wines that are at once full of flavour and beautifully balanced with a refreshing acidity that pairs beautifully with food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eBut what we love most of all is the stories behind the labels, and we have plenty of those to share with you this issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eTim Pawsey looks into the future of B.C. fizz and notes that enthusiasm is bubbling over for both traditional method and Charmat sparkling wines. Turns out the late Harry McWatters was right when he said that bubble was the way for the province to go. Charlene Rooke discovers B.C.’s first true winery lifestyle brand—and surely there will be plenty more to follow. Christine Campbell deciphers what “oaky” really means. And, in Pipette, DJ Kearney investigates the latest goings on in California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAlso: We provide you with a primer to South American wines just in time for the Vancouver International Wine Festival. We learn how to pair the bitter greens and buttery sauces of Michelin-starred St. Lawrence restaurant’s spring menu. And we look into why wineries are starting to “lightweight” their glass bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eRight now, we’re celebrating B.C. Wine Month by enjoying the new releases and planning our visits to the wineries as they reopen for the summer season. We hope you’ll fill your glass with some B.C. bubble and join us on the journey.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40077127680118,"sku":"VITIS11","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/VITIS_Issue-11.jpg?v=1686074932"},{"product_id":"copy-of-vitis-issue-11-spring-summer-2023","title":"Vitis Issue 12 • Fall\/Winter 2023","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWelcome to the Fall\/Winter 2023 issue of \u003ci\u003eVitis\u003c\/i\u003e, the magazine of British Columbia’s wine culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eSince we launched \u003ci\u003eVitis\u003c\/i\u003e in the spring of 2018—has it really been more than five years?—we’ve been champions of our local wines and the people who make them. And while that will never change, we also recognize that British Columbia doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and neither should we. We’ve always covered other wine destinations, but with this issue we’re expanding that coverage, and have even more exciting plans in the works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThat means sharing more international wine news, tasting notes, experiences and conversations with winemakers and sommeliers from around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eIn this issue, Tim Pawsey travels the world to find the best wines to sip with your oysters, which are back in season again after a not-so-great summer. Daenna Van Mulligen samples Grenache from France, Australia, Sardinia and B.C., reminding us just why it’s “one of the world’s most-enjoyed wines.” In Pipette, DJ Kearney offers a taste of what’s happening on the global scene, from stone labels to the destruction of French wines. And Christine Campbell explains what “glou-glou” means, which will be handy for you to know for the Beaujolais Nouveau release on November 16.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eCloser to home, Charlene Rooke chats with the folks at Ones, the B.C.-made zero-proof wine. Vancouver somms share their insights. And we check out steak-forward restaurants in Victoria, Whistler, Vancouver and the Okanagan Valley so you can indulge in all your favourite big reds. Plus I get to hang out with the legendary winemakers Mark Beringer and Olivier Humbrecht at Phantom Creek, which is like a master class in wine, only way more fun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOn a more serious note: As you almost certainly know, it has been a rough year in B.C. wine country. Following a brutal winter kill, this summer’s busy tourist season was disrupted by devastating wildfires in the Okanagan, Thompson, Similkameen and Shuswap. Our thoughts are with everyone in those regions, and we hope you will join us in supporting their wineries, restaurants, hotels and other businesses this fall and winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eMeanwhile, let’s raise a glass of something deep, delicious and autumnal to the cozy months ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40136341192822,"sku":"VITIS12","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/VITIS_Issue-12.jpg?v=1694805814"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-12-fall-winter-2023-copy","title":"Vitis Issue 13 • Spring\/Summer 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWelcome to the Spring\/Summer 2024 issue of \u003ci\u003eVitis\u003c\/i\u003e, the magazine of British Columbia’s wine culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eIt’s no secret that wine country is in a bit of a crisis right now. For the second year in a row, a brutal winter freeze has devastated vineyards and, as \u003ci\u003eVitis\u003c\/i\u003e was going to press, everyone was anxiously awaiting bud break to see just how deep the damage really is. But the crisis is not just about the weather or the impact of a changing climate. It is a deeper, more existential one about the industry’s future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eIn this issue, we look at all the factors creating this perfect storm, from cost-shy customers to a rising neo-temperance movement. Meanwhile, Tim Pawsey checks in with local vintners about their next moves and DJ Kearney looks at geotextiles, an innovation that might just be a game changer in both cool and hot climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWhile it’s easy to be distracted by the bad news, there are plenty of good things happening, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eFor one thing, there’s still plenty of B.C. wine available and this is a great time to stock up on your favourite labels. For another, wine bars are back in a big way, thoughtfully serving up fresh, fun, natty sips and delightful bites to enjoy along with them. We round up our favourites in Vancouver and Victoria, so you can start planning your taste adventure now. You’re welcome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAlso in this issue: Kate Dingwall checks in with somms across the country about the new “virtuous consumption,” our growing taste for wines produced ethically, sustainably and regeneratively. Rhys Pender MW explains our relationship with Australian wines (it’s complicated). Christine Campbell decodes the difference between Pinot Gris and Grigio. And we have loads of news, listings and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWe have every confidence that B.C.’s wine industry will weather the current crisis and come out stronger and better than ever. In the meantime, we’re enjoying the new releases and planning our visits to the wineries as they reopen for the summer season. We hope you’ll join us on the journey.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40866706489462,"sku":"VITIS13","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/VITIS_Issue-13.jpg?v=1714165055"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-13-spring-summer-2024-copy","title":"Vitis Issue 14 • Fall\/Winter 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWelcome to the Fall\/Winter 2024 issue of \u003ci\u003eVitis\u003c\/i\u003e, the magazine of British Columbia’s wine culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWe don’t know about you, but we feel like we’ve had enough bad news for one year. We're looking across the border at an election campaign that’s all about joy, and thinking yes! That’s what we need. More joy, and plenty of it, stat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eNow, we don’t want to underplay the challenges so many people in wine country are going through. We know it’s tough right now, and that it will be hard for the next couple of years at least. our hearts ache for everyone in our battered wine-growing\/making\/selling\/serving community. But we can, we hope, still take a moment to pause and think of all that is good in our world, too, and at the top of that list is the reason we’re all reading this issue of \u003ci\u003eVitis\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOur most joyful moments almost always include wine. Celebrating that big accomplishment or landmark event with a bottle of bubble. Gathering the people we love around the table for a long and leisurely feast. Taking time to catch up with an old friend—or make a new one—during happy hour. Even just sitting quietly in our garden with a glass of rosé and a good book amid the lavender and bumblebees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eGroups like Wine Growers BC point out the economic benefits of our province’s wine industry. Among them: It generates approximately $3.75 billion annually, employs more than 14,000 full-time workers and its approximately 350 licensed grape wineries welcome nearly 1.2 million visitors each year. Those are important, and impressive, numbers for sure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eBut the real benefits are slightly less tangible. Wine makes our food taste better. It motivates us to understand and care for the environment that produces it. It is part of a cultured life that also includes art and architecture and music and living well. Most of all, it connects us, making conversation flow and friendships easy. And it’s not just the alcohol (which, of course, should always be consumed in moderation). It’s the ritual, the grace, the merry little ting! as we clink our glasses together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eSo raise a glass, support our growers and makers, and bring a little liquid joy into your life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41702921142390,"sku":"VITIS14","price":5.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/VITIS_Issue-14.jpg?v=1727813569"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-15-spring-summer-2025","title":"Vitis Issue 15 • Spring\/Summer 2025","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis year, we plan to go to wine country as often as we can, to reconnect with all the people we love and to savour all the delicious wines they’re making.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWe want to dine amid the vines at Quails’ Gate and Hester Creek, watch the sunset from the terrace at Home Block and check in with the chickens at Backyard Farm. We want to check out what’s happening at Naramata Inn, where a couple of industry insiders are opening a French bistro. We’re craving the aromatic spices of Manzil Restaurant at Kismet Estate Winery and the giant breakfast burrito at the El Sabor de Marina food truck, and we’re dying to discover all the new places that have opened in Penticton and Kelowna and everywhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWe want to taste all the spring whites and rosés and light reds that will be released over the next few weeks and months. We want to feel that sense of awe that always strikes as we drive past McIntyre Bluff, and the warm welcome in tasting rooms everywhere from Lake Country to Osoyoos. And then we want to meander along Highway 3 to Keremeos and load up the car at all the fruit stands, to add some peaches and cherries and tomatoes and peppers to the cases of wine we’ll inevitably bring back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWe also want to spend more time on the islands, checking out the small, family-owned places doing great things, like Emandare and Alderlea in the Cowichan Valley, and hopping over to Saturna Island where Sage Hayward is making killer wine just metres from the Salish Sea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWine, after all, isn’t just a beverage. It’s the taste of a place. That’s what we talk about when we talk about “terroir,” but it’s also the reason wine tourism is the best way to travel. And yes, this is a good time to buy local and support our wineries, but the best reason to visit wine country is simply because it’s the best, most delicious way to spend your time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWe hope to see you there.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42161527324790,"sku":"VITIS15","price":6.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/VITIS_Issue-15_c179a2e0-55b0-4843-a8a8-8a114bbd2f97.jpg?v=1744823993"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-16-fall-winter-2025","title":"Vitis Issue 16 • Fall\/Winter 2025","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIt’s no secret that, here at \u003ci\u003eVitis\u003c\/i\u003e, we love wine. We love its aromas and flavours, we love supporting the people who grow it, make it and serve it, and we really, really love nerding out about obscure wine-soaked factoids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eMost of all, though, we love the way wine brings people together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eFor millennia, wine has been at the centre of our gatherings. It has played an important role in social rituals dating back to the days of ancient Greece and Rome and even further back to 6000 BC Georgia. Consumed in moderation, it enhances conversation, breaks down barriers, improves the flavour of food and makes the stresses of the day seem less, well, stressful. As Benjamin Franklin once said: “Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eYou’d think, given that society is in the midst of a global loneliness epidemic, we’d be raising a glass to the power of wine to connect us. Instead, the exact opposite is happening. Young people especially are drinking (and socializing) less. So are older people. Both these groups are more likely to be lonely, and loneliness increases the risk of depression, anxiety, dementia and serious health conditions such as heart disease and stroke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eSo last year an American wine journalist named Karen MacNeil, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Wine Bible\u003c\/i\u003e, launched an initiative called Come Over October. The idea is simple: to encourage friends, family and colleagues to “come over” during the month of October, share some wine and celebrate in-person connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe idea has spread across the continent to become an international movement. It’s one we’re fully behind, though we’d like to suggest that any time is a good time to get together with the people you care for. A glass of wine—even non-alcoholic wine—just makes it all better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe website comeoveroctober.com has loads of tips and ideas for hosting events indoors or out, at your home or your business. You don’t \u003ci\u003ehave\u003c\/i\u003e to serve wine, of course, but where’s the fun in that?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42576456056950,"sku":"VITIS16","price":6.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/VITIS_Issue-16.jpg?v=1758302010"},{"product_id":"vitis-issue-17-spring-summer-2026","title":"Vitis Issue 17 • Spring\/Summer 2026","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFifty years ago this spring, on May 24, 1976, the wine world was stunned when two California wines beat their top French counterparts in a blind tasting that famously became known as the Judgment of Paris\u003csup\u003e*\u003c\/sup\u003e. Several events are being held in commemoration, including a US$3,500-a-head dinner at The French Laundry in Napa. If you have some California wines in your cellar, consider opening one to celebrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eBut a shift like this isn’t just about Old vs. New World wines. It’s about how wine is ever-evolving, how palates and fashions change, grapes disappear and re-appear, world events come into play and a changing climate makes it possible to grow great wine in places that would have been impossible not so long ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eA decade ago we weren’t talking much about wines from Georgia or Jura, and now they are the darlings of the wine world. We weren’t drinking Picpoul or Assyrtiko, and now we seek them out. And we sure weren’t looking to England for sparkling wines that rival those from Champagne. Now we do, while Champagne itself is dealing with heatwaves, spring frosts and high humidity, which in turn are leading to less acid in the wines, more disease in the vineyards and ever higher prices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eOne fascinating conversation right now is the one around claret\/clairet. “Claret” is what the British have traditionally called the bold, tannic, well-aged and often pricey red wines of Bordeaux. But these days we prefer lighter, brighter, fresher, lower-alcohol and more food-friendly reds. The result? The market for Bordeaux has slumped. Already, 15 per cent of Bordeaux’s vineyards have been dug up to be used for other types of farming.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eIt’s been suggested that the best solution is to produce lighter, younger, less tannic reds. As it turns out, there already is a Bordeaux wine exactly like that, one that’s been around since the medieval days when Eleanor of Aquitaine ruled the region: “clairet,” a juicy, easy-to-enjoy wine that hovers between rosé and light red. It’s best served chilled and goes great with backyard barbecues.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThere has been some outcry and plenty of confusion, of course, because no one likes change. But change happens anyway. It’s not always comfortable, but for the most part it leads to exciting new flavours, techniques and styles—and even the return of wonderfully old ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eAfter all, the world of wine is a big one, with plenty of room for a California Chardonnay, a Georgian Saperavi, both claret and clairet and whatever delicious new wine is going to come next. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e*Organized by British wine merchant Stephen Spurrier, the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 was won by Napa Valley’s Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43396003561590,"sku":"VITIS17","price":6.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/files\/VITIS_Issue-17_ffc6b697-90b8-4849-8f96-7cedb807e944.jpg?v=1778547728"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/7954\/collections\/Vitis-BC-Collection_1000x1000_0dcd1c9f-1d12-4067-8cfb-50e0082707c8.jpg?v=1685655356","url":"https:\/\/the-growler.myshopify.com\/collections\/vitis.oembed?page=2","provider":"Drinks and Culture Magazines Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}