Anthony Gismondi: What to know about the ‘Crafted in B.C.’ wines now on sale​on April 5, 2025 at 3:00 pm

From an artwork point of view, I’m impressed with the creative ideas I’m seeing from the replacement labels. Hopefully, this will stir more local producers to consider modifying or updating their label designs and logos.

The experience gained by winery personnel searching for new sites and new grapes — and, generally, stepping out of their comfort zone — to make different wines is even more valuable. Winemakers I have spoken with have told me it’s been a challenging but exhilarating experience they hope you will embrace while they bring their vineyards backup to speed.

$27.50 I 89/100

UPC: 8410439034354

It’s been a few years since we tasted this sparkler, which is widely available in select private retailers but not government stores. There are very few Penedes Cava with more pedigree than the organic Parés Baltà Cava Brut B. Fresh, clean and dry, and it comes with creamy textures and friendly flavours. It is the perfect wedding sparkler for large parties but interesting enough for the enthusiast. The fruit mixes parellada, macabeo and xarel-lo that release nutty, creamy, green apple, mineral/floral aromas and flavours. Acceptable value and food-friendly, this is worth looking for in the private wine shops.

• The Painted Rock tasting room will reopen its cellar door for the season from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday through Monday until the May long weekend, when it will then open daily from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Reservations are available; walk-ins are welcome. The Seated Estate Tasting features a flight of five red wines and includes the flagship Red Icon. Tastings are $20 per person or complimentary for Wine Club members for up to four people. Also, the property is booking weddings again, one per week from June through September (excluding long weekends), from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. You will find all the details on their website.

• Did you know that Vatican City consumes more wine per capita than any other country on Earth? Figures for 2019 suggest a population of 800 citizens is drinking 79 litres per year — or 99 bottles. That is double that of France or Italy. However, as significant as those numbers are, after you account for the thousands of clergies, employees, Swiss Guards, diplomats and pilgrims who work within the wall without holding Vatican passports, the adjusted consumption drops to about 10 to 15 litres per person. That is more in line with countries like Germany, Canada and the U.K. That said, the Vatican is a rare, high-quality, low-cost wine zone that provides a friendly environment for wine lovers before or after mass. It doesn’t hurt that visitors often take advantage of the Vatican’s tax-free supermarket wine.