Wine Guy: Camping wine | The Province

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Wine pairs wonderfully with the backcountry, and the great outdoors in general. There’s just one issue: Packing in a typical wine bottle is impractical. Unless you’re car camping, the extra weight and potential breakage from glass just isn’t worth it. But fret not, there are options. From cans to bags, packaging alternatives are increasingly available; and the wine stored inside is becoming more diverse (this year noted Similkameen winery Orofino Vineyards quickly sold out of their 1.5L “Mag Bags” of Pinot Gris and Cabernet Franc Rosé). We can have our wine and our picture perfect backcountry sunset, too — so cheers to camping with wine!

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Casal Garcia Vinho Branco, Portugal ($6.99 for 250mL can, #488880)

Same great, super refreshing Vinho Verde — now in a can. Seriously, it makes total sense to can this zesty, citrusy wine. It was always the epitome of vinous refreshment and slightly effervescent anyways, traits typically associated with cans. If your outdoor adventure involves a kayak, canoe or boat and you are fortunate enough to harvest some fish or seafood, with this can your backcountry meal is set. The only complaint is the portability price premium. The regular-sized bottle Casal Garcia goes for $15 and offers triple the content. Alas, the convenience tax is worth it in order to pack in-and-out light.

Bottom line: B, Peak wine refreshment.

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The Winemaker’s House Sauvignon Blanc, Canada ($22.99 on sale until Sept. 3 for 2L bag, #474329)

It’s good to see more bag-in-the-box wines ditching the box and standing alone on the merits of their bag. It always seemed like unnecessary extra packaging, the box is certainly not coming in any backpack anyways (even if it made stacking on shelves easier). The Winemaker’s House line of wine bags check in at a robust yet convenient two litres, certainly enough for a camping group or an extended stay in the woods. And while the wine itself is not the most complex, the Sauvignon Blanc hits all the expected notes: Fruity up front with enough freshness and a smooth, somewhat undefined finish that aims for crowd appeal. 

Bottom line: C, Value-minded camping wine.

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Chaberton Estate Winery Chaberton Red, British Columbia ($7.72 for 250mL can, available through the winery and select private wine stores)

Last year Langley’s Chaberton Estate Winery started conveniently canning their house white and red wines, which it turns out are made from a blend of 100-per-cent B.C.-grown grapes (sourced from the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys). In the red’s case it’s a robust mix anchored by Merlot, Chancellor and Gamay Noir. The wine is full of dark fruit and woodsy notes, with a kick of spice to finish. The can recommends a drinking temperature of 14 C (or slightly chilled), but regardless sipping a can of this fulsome red by the campfire after a long day of hiking will certainly feel rewarding.

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Bottom line: B+, Backpack friendly.

The Swirl: Wine Walks

The Nanaimo edition of Wine Walks is happening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12. Participants will have the chance to stroll throughout the Old City Quarter in the heart of downtown Nanaimo, stopping to find 10 Vancouver Island wineries paired with 10 local Nanaimo businesses. Tickets are $60 (plus fees) and include 10 drinks tokens and a 12-oz., non-breakable stemless wine glass for sampling. For complete details and to purchase, go to winewalks.ca

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