It seems you can't get enough of natural wines, so we asked Eater Wine Expert Kurtis Kolt to put together a by-the-glass list so you can sip, swirl and sniff your way around town like a pro.
Hot on the heels of Boulevard's wine director Lisa Haley making you an Instant Expert on natural wines right here at Eater, we thought we'd lay out a bunch of spots around the city where you can grab a glass of the good stuff and put your new found knowledge to work! Hit up a couple of these and you'll be a natural wine nut in no time.
Noella Morantin 2013 ‘La Boudinerie’ – France, $13/glass
Sure, this classic bistro is nestled in an area that’s been referred to as Vancouver’s ‘gritty’ East Side, but there’s nothing rough and tumble about this Gamay that is silky and stylish with plums, bing cherries, cloves and nutmeg. A wildly dynamic wine that, though a light and softer style, can step up to big, red meats with ease.
La Pepiere ‘Domaine de la Pepiere’ 2012 Muscadet Sur Lie – France, $15/glass
A Loire Valley white that’s just as fresh, crisp and as the city’s hottest new restaurant’s opulent and glam design. Hop up to Oyster Bob’s bar (Yup, that’s what they call him), get a half dozen of whatever he recommends, and wash it down with this Muscadet that sings with lemon curd, lime rind, mint and delight.
Maule ’I Masieri’ 2011 Garganega Trebbiano – Italy, $11/glass
Chef Andrea Carlson’s Main Street ode to organic, local, seasonal fare has a wine program that’s loaded with natural wines, so it’s hard to pick just one. Let’s go with this sunny Italian white that splashes out with apricots, mandarin oranges and a tine sprig of spearmint. Their menu also mentions a tasting note of Pez candy, which captures the tone of this fun and happy pour.
Coenobium 2011 White – Italy, $12/glass
Sommelier Jason Yamasaki likes to geek out with off-the-beaten-path bottles and this one’s no exception. A crisp and aromatic blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia, and Verdicchio, this is basically a handful of rocks with fresh-squeezed lemon, lime and grapefruit. A little skin contact during fermentation gives it a nice bit of grip, perfect to latch on to Chef Nico Schuermans’ foie gras terrine.
Matello 2011 Cuvee Lazarus Pinot Noir – Oregon, $11/glass
A blend from various vineyards around the Willamette Valley, this elegant and cheery light red is all about all of those other berries, Saskatoon, huckleberries, mulberries and more. A slight umami angle of soy or hoisin makes it pitch-perfect for Pidgin’s contemporary take on classic Asian cuisine.
Movia 2008 Sivi Pinot Grigio – Slovenia, $14/glass
The grapes on this one are grown on 35-year-old vines, and once fermented, the wine spends 18 months in French oak. The result is a lush and creamy, an orchard of nectarines and peaches with a nice, toasty edge. Saddle up to the bar, snack on a scotch egg, and wash it down with this for some so-crazy-it-just-might-work, food and wine-pairing deliciousness.
Eric Texier Vaison La Romaine 2011 Côtes du Rhône – France, $14/glass
Is there anything better than Tableau’s creamy mushrooms on brioche toast on a rainy Vancouver night? Yes, yes there is. Pairing it with this Grenache-based Rhône red from 40-year old vines, in all of its crimson, cherry and plummy glory will bring you nothing but joy.
Lock & Worth 2013 Merlot – B.C., $11/glass
Vancouver magazine’s 2014 Restaurant of the Year is devoted to natural wines to go with Chef David Gunawan’s honest, locavore focus, so let’s stick with a wine from our own backyard. Think Merlot’s boring? Winemaker Matt Sherlock’s take on the grape will change your mind. So light that it’s almost a weighty rosé, the fruit in this one echoes the Naramata orchards of lapin cherries and wild raspberries. An absolute charmer.
Noella Morantin 2013 ‘La Boudinerie’ – France, $13/glass
Sure, this classic bistro is nestled in an area that’s been referred to as Vancouver’s ‘gritty’ East Side, but there’s nothing rough and tumble about this Gamay that is silky and stylish with plums, bing cherries, cloves and nutmeg. A wildly dynamic wine that, though a light and softer style, can step up to big, red meats with ease.
La Pepiere ‘Domaine de la Pepiere’ 2012 Muscadet Sur Lie – France, $15/glass
A Loire Valley white that’s just as fresh, crisp and as the city’s hottest new restaurant’s opulent and glam design. Hop up to Oyster Bob’s bar (Yup, that’s what they call him), get a half dozen of whatever he recommends, and wash it down with this Muscadet that sings with lemon curd, lime rind, mint and delight.
Maule ’I Masieri’ 2011 Garganega Trebbiano – Italy, $11/glass
Chef Andrea Carlson’s Main Street ode to organic, local, seasonal fare has a wine program that’s loaded with natural wines, so it’s hard to pick just one. Let’s go with this sunny Italian white that splashes out with apricots, mandarin oranges and a tine sprig of spearmint. Their menu also mentions a tasting note of Pez candy, which captures the tone of this fun and happy pour.
Coenobium 2011 White – Italy, $12/glass
Sommelier Jason Yamasaki likes to geek out with off-the-beaten-path bottles and this one’s no exception. A crisp and aromatic blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia, and Verdicchio, this is basically a handful of rocks with fresh-squeezed lemon, lime and grapefruit. A little skin contact during fermentation gives it a nice bit of grip, perfect to latch on to Chef Nico Schuermans’ foie gras terrine.
Matello 2011 Cuvee Lazarus Pinot Noir – Oregon, $11/glass
A blend from various vineyards around the Willamette Valley, this elegant and cheery light red is all about all of those other berries, Saskatoon, huckleberries, mulberries and more. A slight umami angle of soy or hoisin makes it pitch-perfect for Pidgin’s contemporary take on classic Asian cuisine.
Movia 2008 Sivi Pinot Grigio – Slovenia, $14/glass
The grapes on this one are grown on 35-year-old vines, and once fermented, the wine spends 18 months in French oak. The result is a lush and creamy, an orchard of nectarines and peaches with a nice, toasty edge. Saddle up to the bar, snack on a scotch egg, and wash it down with this for some so-crazy-it-just-might-work, food and wine-pairing deliciousness.
Eric Texier Vaison La Romaine 2011 Côtes du Rhône – France, $14/glass
Is there anything better than Tableau’s creamy mushrooms on brioche toast on a rainy Vancouver night? Yes, yes there is. Pairing it with this Grenache-based Rhône red from 40-year old vines, in all of its crimson, cherry and plummy glory will bring you nothing but joy.
Lock & Worth 2013 Merlot – B.C., $11/glass
Vancouver magazine’s 2014 Restaurant of the Year is devoted to natural wines to go with Chef David Gunawan’s honest, locavore focus, so let’s stick with a wine from our own backyard. Think Merlot’s boring? Winemaker Matt Sherlock’s take on the grape will change your mind. So light that it’s almost a weighty rosé, the fruit in this one echoes the Naramata orchards of lapin cherries and wild raspberries. An absolute charmer.
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