Sauvignon Blanc

Why? The 32nd Annual Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival--quite possibly the most fun that wine drinkers can have--flashes into the Vancouver Convention Centre West (the new building) from April 21 to 25, 2010.

By the numbers, 197 wineries from 14 countries will pour over 1700 wines over the course of the Festival in 62 events attended by about 25,000 people. Whew. This year's theme regions are Argentina and New Zealand, and rose wines are 2010's global focus. We've short-listed a few of the 914 wines being poured in the International Festival Tasting Room to watch for and taste including the obvious: Argentine, New Zealand and rose wines. These are grouped together making it easy to taste widely in one go. Argentina--with 36 wineries in the room--delivers unique, diverse, good value wines. Its signature grapes, Torrontes, a white, makes wines that are assertive, aromatic, crisp, and dry, and malbec produces distinct, soft, lush, sometimes earthy red wines.

Bodega Tapiz Zolo Torrontes 2009 ($17.99, private wine stores). Aromatic, lively, juicy Tapiz Torrontes is an ideal introduction to this food-friendly varietal.

Full Story: Wines to watch for at the 2010 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival - Vancouver Sun

The survey of 2,000 drinkers, which was conducted for the launch of a 2.99poubnds iPhone app called WINEfindr, found that 90percent drinkers do not know how their favourite wine is made.

While 62 percent Brits think they know about wine, they did not even know some basic facts, the poll revealed.

For instance, 87percent wrongly said only white grapes can be used to make champagne when in fact red varieties are as good.

Full Story: Britons lack even basic wine knowledge - Thaindian.com

This situation is likely to get piled higher and deeper as we move into Vancouver's world renowned Playhouse International Wine Festival, April 19-25. Tickets are still available. Interested winelovers should call 604-873-3311 after visiting PlayhouseWineFest.com for details.

This year the festival has three special focuses. The spotlight on the wines of Argentina is likely to be most overwhelming. The spotlight on the pink wines that the wine world calls Blushes or Rosés may provide the biggest surprises, charming oodles of unsuspecting tastebuds.

But the third focus - the wines of New Zealand! - will undoubtedly enhance the already soaring wine rep of BC's spiritual sister in the far South Pacific. Winelovers will be intrigued by New Zealand's high-toned Merlots and sideswiped by their passionate Pinot Noirs but our love affair with New Zealand's many and varied Sauvignon Blancs can only get more sizzling.

Full Story: Zippy, zingy and z'licious Sauvignon Blancs - Canada.com

Foursight, 2008 Anderson Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 14.1 percent, $20. A full-bodied sauvignon blanc with notes of grapefruit, herbs, lemon and lime. Balanced.

White Oak, 2008 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, 13.9 percent, $24. A toasty chardonnay with tropical fruit flavors. Notes of pear, apple, lime, herbs and spice. Long finish.

Unti, 2007 Petit Frere Sonoma County Rhone Red, 14.9 percent, $20. A smoky, leathery Rhone red with a good concentration of fruit. The blend has 44 percent syrah, 38 percent grenache and 18 percent mourvedre.

Full Story: Good wines to look for at Wine Country restaurants - Santa Rosa Press Democrat

The move comes as part of the estate's overall strategy to move into more premium dry white wine styles rather than following others down the sparkling route.

The vineyard has a dozen wines in its range at the moment and has chosen Clone 108 on Gravesac rootstocks due to their early ripening and limestone tolerance.

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Full Story: Denbies vineyard expands to Sauvignon Blanc - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade Review