“In this series we bring you our #FavouriteThings Holiday Gift Suggestions which we personally recommend”
Sometimes a gift comes along that is so significant that it needs top billing. Today I am pleased to be able to endorse not one, but two, such gift giving suggestions.
The first of these suggestions is the CheckMate Artisanal Winery‘s Virtual Experience. This is one of two foresightful opportunities to experience the nuances of fine wine in the comfort of your own home. The other experience will also be published later today, for now, I am making you wait because anticipation is the precursor to fulfillment.
So here wine lovers, and those gifting wine lovers, is my personally recommended ultimate gift for the wine lover on your list, be they a confirmed BC wine connoisseur, or not yet thoroughly convinced, this gift will be treasured by all who receive it.
A three part series of weekly expressions of the intricacies of the wines of CheckMate. In order of presentation; Artistry in Earth, New Nature, and Craft and Care.
The series is hosted by Certified Sommelier, Andrew Cornell of the Iconic Wineries of British Columbia.
Past the town of Oliver in the Okanagan Valley, high up into the west bank hills, tucked away behind a winding road lined with poplar trees, lies a hidden treasure. CheckMate Artisanal Winery, Canada’s first 100 point wine, bespeaks a bounty of some of the most exceptional expressions of Chardonnay and Merlot in the world.
Each virtual experience includes a bottle of a CheckMate wine that will be first introduced by Cornell, and then explored by the featured scientist, viticulturist or winemaker. Each week a different featured CheckMate wine to taste, understand, and to enjoy.
Artistry in Earth
With Soil Science Technician, Stephanie Vickers
five vineyard sites, five locations, each an expression of their soil and mesoclimate
Thursday January 14th, 6:30pm PST
2014 Fool’s Mate Chardonnay
New Nature
With Viticulturist, Devin Methven
drones, chickens, thinking differently, vine vigor, thermal imagery
Thursday January 21st, 6:30pm PST
2014 Silent Bishop Merlot
Craft and Care
With Checkmate Winemaker, Phil McGahan
old vines, low yields, hand harvesting, barrels and toasts, winemaking techniques
Thursday January 28th, 6:30pm PST
2014 End Game Merlot
Open one bottle during each event and taste with Certified Sommelier Andrew Cornell. Enjoy rarely accessible expert guest speakers, unique topics, videos and live Q&A.
The details:
Your purchase of ‘1 ticket’ includes:
1 x 750ml bottle 2014 Fool’s Mate Chardonnay
1 x 750ml bottle 2014 Silent Bishop Merlot
1 x 750ml bottle 2014 End Game Merlot
Your purchase of ‘1 ticket’ includes:
1 x 750ml bottle 2014 Fool’s Mate Chardonnay
1 x 750ml bottle 2014 Silent Bishop Merlot
1 x 750ml bottle 2014 End Game Merlot
Gift box packaging as shown in photos and complimentary shipping
3 x Live interactive virtual events as listed above
* Select ‘Answer Question’ after purchase to input your mailing address
* Deadline for purchase is Friday January 1st, 2021 to allow shipping of wines
* All wines will arrive no later than 2 days in advance of the first virtual event
* Links to online events will be sent 1 day in advance, hosted on Zoom
* Availability is limited
Purchase your three part virtual experience here.
* Contact us: iwbcevents@nulloutlook.com
About the wines:
2014 Fool’s Mate Chardonnay
An extremely complex wine with aromas of yellow peach, melon, perfume, almonds and caramelized oak with hints of graphite. The palate has a rich entry with flavours of peach and apricot. It maintains richness throughout its length, backed by fresh acidity and a salty finish.
93+ pts
– Matt Steeves
92 pts
“Lush, laced with talcum powder, peach, pear and pastry aromas and flavors. Offers intensity and elegance, followed by lingering accents of floral and pastry. Seamless.”
– Wine Spectator
2014 Silent Bishop Merlot
A nose of intense red and black fruits, floral notes, coffee, tobacco, and spice. The palate has well-balanced acidity, fruit and oak; producing a wine of harmony and length.
92 pts
“This wine is intense because the very long and even 2014 vintage also delivered good ripeness. The wine begins with aromas of dark fruits leading to flavours of black cherry, mocha and coffee, with spice on the finish.”
– John Schreiner
2014 End Game Merlot
A complex, lifted nose, showcasing sassafras, spices, roasted meat aromas and aromatic oak. The palate is rich, with savoury notes, good weight, firm tannins and immense length.
93 pts
– John Schreiner
Iconic Wineries of British Columbia
A collection of breathtaking wine experiences located throughout the Okanagan Valley. Join us as we usher in the exciting era of Next World wines!
Information and images provided by Andrew Cornell, Iconic Wineries of British Columbia. Tasting notes and reviews courtesy of the winery website.
