Welcome to the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of Vitis, the magazine of British Columbia’s wine culture. As this issue of Vitis goes to press, we are in the throes of B.C. Wine Month, which is pretty much our favourite time of year. It’s the sixth year that the province has marked the month of April by encouraging us to enjoy more local wine. This, please note, is not exactly a hardship: B.C.’s unique terroir produces wines that are at once full of flavour and beautifully balanced with a refreshing acidity that pairs beautifully with food. But what we love most of all is the stories behind the labels, and we have plenty of those to share with you this issue. Tim Pawsey looks into the future of B.C. fizz and notes that enthusiasm is bubbling over for both traditional method and Charmat sparkling wines. Turns out the late Harry McWatters was right when he said that bubble was the way for the province to go. Charlene Rooke discovers B.C.’s first true winery lifestyle brand—and surely there will be plenty more to follow. Christine Campbell deciphers what “oaky” really means. And, in Pipette, DJ Kearney investigates the latest goings on in California. Also: We provide you with a primer to South American wines just in time for the Vancouver International Wine Festival. We learn how to pair the bitter greens and buttery sauces of Michelin-starred St. Lawrence restaurant’s spring menu. And we look into why wineries are starting to “lightweight” their glass bottles. Right now, we’re celebrating B.C. Wine Month by enjoying the new releases and planning our visits to the wineries as they reopen for the summer season. We hope you’ll fill your glass with some B.C. bubble and join us on the journey.
