The Ultimate Vancouver Wine Guide: Not-So-Basic B.C. Bottles That Will Please People with Basic Taste

We asked a dozen-plus of the city’s top sommeliers to share their picks with us for some very specific scenarios…including which bottles you should pour your hard-to-impress Albertan in-laws.

The Scenario

Your in-laws are visiting from Alberta, and all they ever do is complain about how expensive B.C. wine is. The wife drinks Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc; the husband, Meiomi. What do you serve?

Terravista Fandango ($25)

This aromatic blend of verdejo and albarino is the right call for the wife; she’ll be charmed by the upfront stone fruit and dry finish. As for the husband, some people just can’t be helped.—Matt Landry, Stable House Bistro

Fairview Cellars Sauvignon Blanc ($27) and Quails’ Gate Pinot Noir 2016 ($27)

For her: Fairview Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, if you can find it. For him, Quails’ Gate Pinot Noir 2016.—Colin Ross, Tuc Craft Kitchen

Orofino Gamay ($25) and Skaha Vineyard Pinot Blanc (under $20)

As Meiomi doesn’t tend to represent pinot noir very well, I would instead serve a gamay. It’s juicier and closer in style to the very fruity, deeply coloured Meiomi. I really like Orofino’s Gamay from the Similkameen Valley. I think B.C. makes delicious pinot blanc, and Skaha Vineyard Pinot Blancis aromatic, refreshing and mostly dry: all the things people love about Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc.—Kelcie Jones, Chambar

La Frenz Sauvignon Blanc 2017 ($20) and SpearHead Pinot Noir 2016 ($25)

La Frenz Sauvignon Blanc 2017, which is like B.C. meets New Zealand sauvignon blanc. And for the husband, SpearHead Pinot Noir 2016.—Shane Taylor, CinCin

Lock and Worth Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon 2017 ($20) and Howling Bluff “Acta Vineyard” Pinot Noir 2014 ($25)

Lock and Worth Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon 2017: another killer vintage from a producer who continues to grow and improve. While this may be a little off the beaten path, it’s well worth the conversion it takes! And Howling Bluff “Acta Vineyard” Pinot Noir 2014. They’ve been moving toward a more moderate and fruit-focused style. A pleasant woodiness is still present in this richer style to satisfy the Meiomi drinker in all of us, at a much better price point.—Kieren Fanning, Pepino’s

We’ll be adding to our Ultimate Vancouver Wine Guide over the next few months… follow along with somms’ top picks here!