January. Rain announcing itself after an unexpected cold and clear snap. The Canucks continue to keep their heads above water, if barely, and the new iteration of The X-Files is imminent. So take that bottle of Kim Crawford Pansy! Rosé ($17) out of the fridge and open it while you talk with your invited guests, all the while stirring a risotto Milanese. The wine is sharp and crisp, good balance, plenty of fresh raspberry, not sweet at all, and with some heft. A perfect first bottle to sip on a winter’s evening.
Then move on to Red Rooster Malbec ($23), another in the small but growing list of malbecs successfully being produced in the Okanagan. This one is generous to a fault, brimming with fresh red fruit, some nice acidity to keep it in balance, and just perfect with the risotto and a roasted chicken. The second bottle can be had while you debate, post-dinner, if we really are alone, or not.
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