I traveled to Victoria, BC this week and enjoyed a very nice dinner with these wines.
Restaurant: Il Terrazzo. Ambiance: soft jazz and warm wood decor.
Wine #1: Prosecco, Bollecine della Casa, NV Col de Salici, extra dry
Light straw yellow with a fine bead. Light nose of lemon and minerals. Nice balance on the palate with lemon squirt acidity and a medium long finish of grapefruit and palate cleansing acidity. Nice wine that matched well with the Italian bread dipped in olive oil with capers.
Wine #2: Pinot Noir, Valdivieso Reserva 2005, Chile
Medium ruby fading to a pinkish-purple edge. Nose of forest floor, smoke and cherries. Nice balance on the palate between red tart cherries, smooth tannins, and nicely integrated oak. Medium long finish of cherries and acidity. Nice wine leaning more toward a burgundy style than new world as the acidity was front and center but nicely balanced with fruit and tannins - light to medium bodied.
Food matches: Nice flavor melding with medium-rare, pan-seared tuna lightly dressed with a ginger-soy reduction sauce. Excellent *** match with the mushroom risotto. Also a really tasty match with an earthy golden beet. OK match with the lemon-cilantro covered prawns.
On my second night in Victoria I went to the Canoe Brewpub Marina and Restaurant. I hit the jackpot as it was 2 for 1 night for wine by the glass. My first two glasses were a Jackson and Triggs Okanagan Pinot Noir. A nicely balanced, light bodied pinot with a good cherry nose and nice earth and fruit on the palate. Nice match with the wild BC salmon I had. For dessert I had an Inniskillin Okanagan riesling ice wine. A really great match with the Creme Brule. This ice wine was good but not as intense as some I have had. The creme brule brought out the acidity in the wine and I think enhanced its taste profile. I did not post this because I did not take tasting notes at this restaurant.
