August 2020 Tasting Notes

Kick back and enjoy the laid-back days of summer with a few of these refreshing picks below. This month at JAK’S we are celebrating the local bounties that beautiful B.C. has to offer. Now, more than ever is the time to support local. We are fortunate to live in a province with so much talent contributing to our thriving wine, spirit and beer industry.

Laughing Stock Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris is one of the darling varietals of the Okanagan Valley. It ripens easily and consistently produces an enjoyable, fruit forward yet food friendly wine. This wine has a lovely fruit salad nose, nectarine, some green apple, and is lifted by a citrus note. Pairs well with a hot summer day or some creamy burrata with some grilled peaches.

Gratitude by JAK’s Pinot Blanc
Our Gratitude wines are brought to you by JAK’s Beer Wine and Spirits in collaboration with the talented team at Okanagan Crush Pad in Summerland, BC. This mid-weight Pinot Blanc just bursts with fruit flavour and vibrant acidity. A tangerine dream of bright tropical fruits with pineapple and zesty lime.

Free Form Vin Gris
Produced from Pinot Noir grapes grown in Summerland that were whole bunch pressed to large concrete tanks. The use of natural native yeast fermentation along with being bottled unfiltered shows through in the complexity of this wine. Hints of savoury herbal notes lend to this finely balanced expression of Pinot Noir with texture.

The Hatch Rose Athow
Delectable delights abound with this pink potion produced from Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Delicious overtones of strawberry, rhubarb, and cherry pie. Fruity and fresh for crushing back on a hot summer day while nibbling on some BC candied salmon.

Moraine Pinot Noir
Grapes were hand-harvested on Naramata Bench for this classic Pinot Noir. An elegant mid-weight style that offers nuances of violet, Bing cherry and plum layered over a background of subtle toasty oak. Pair with grilled salmon to celebrate International Pinot Noir Day this August 18th. Pinot Noir pairs so beautifully with BC salmon!

Rebel Vodka
Unique vodka produced from the finest locally grown Okanagan apples. This vodka has been distilled 25 times in an artisan copper pot still, one batch at a time. Forbidden Spirits has created this fresh creamy smooth vodka that shows off just a hint of underlying fruitiness.

Sheringham Seaside Gin
From the rugged coast of Vancouver Island just north of Sooke comes this complex gin with a hint of the salty sea air. They use hand-harvested local winged kelp as one of the main botanicals. Citrus, floral and notes of the sea make this gin as refreshing as a seaside stroll. Congratulations to a gold for the World Gin Awards in 2019!

July 2020 Tasting Notes

Endless sunshine and long warm eves herald in summer and the season of cooking outdoors is upon us, so it is no surprise July is National Grilling Month. To celebrate our great outdoors in beautiful B.C. we have selected some tasty sippers for your grilling pleasure that will pair wonderfully at your next BBQ.

Lar de Plata Cava
A delightful sparkling Cava from Spain showing dry with some crisp, fresh acidity. Flavours of white flower, apple and toasty nuances come through on the palate.

A great all-around bubbly for pairing with aperitifs or to be enjoyed on its own.

Blasted Church Sauvignon Blanc
Hailing from Okanagan Falls, this is without a doubt one of the best BC Sauvignon Blancs on the market. There was a dash of Sémillon thrown in for richness and texture. Notes of lemon, grapefruit, passionfruit and grassy herbs are complimented by the fresh, juicy acidity.

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
A vibrant and mouthwatering Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of capsicum, guava and grapefruit with hints of fresh cut grass. Medium bodied with juicy acidity makes this an easy summer quaffer for any picnic or outing.

L’Orangeraie Chardonnay
This Languedoc wine offers the richness of Chardonnay but without the oak. Medium in body with fresh citrus notes coming through with the lively acidity. Flavours offer melon, lemon zest and a hint of a savoury note from spending time on the lees. Would pair beautifully with the tail end of spot prawn season.

Vinha Maria Dao
This blend of Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) Alfrocheiro and Touriga Nacional originates from the Dão region in Portugal. A richly weighted wine with smooth tannins and brimming with berry fruit. A touch of vanilla and clove spice from oak ageing balances it off. Dive into the BBQ season with this delicious grilling match!

Pennautier Cabardes
Bordeaux meets Rhone in this rich blend from the Languedoc region that uses Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Grenache. The result shows concentrated black fruits of blackberry and black cherry along with a hint of savoury. The tannins are moderate and lend a balanced structure to the wine. Perfect for any grilled meats.  

Murphy Goode Cabernet Sauvignon
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from California is always a crowd pleaser. Look forward to savouring the flavours of black cherry, cassis, chocolate and vanilla on the palate. The fruit shows ripe and firm yet approachable tannins lend structure. This wine would pair well with grilled burgers or any meaty dish.

Bombay Gin & Fevertree 4-Pack
Bombay uses over ten botanicals to create layers of flavours from fresh forest pine notes to liquorice and citrus peel. Vapour infusion using a Carterhead still produces a light, smooth and delicate style. Pair with your favourite Fevertree 4-pack and a wedge of lime to welcome in summer!

Diplomatico Mantuano Rum
A complex and rich rum originating from Venezuela. The long term ageing up to 8 years comes through in the abundance of flavour, from toffee, ginger and baking spices to fig and chocolate. This gem of rum can be enjoyed on its own or in a classic Dark & Stormy with spicy ginger beer and lime!

Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Buffalo Trace has been making bourbon whiskey the same way for more than 200 years. This deep amber whiskey has a complex aroma of vanilla, cherry and molasses. Pleasantly sweet to the taste with notes of brown sugar and spice that give way to oak, toffee, dark fruit and anise. A whiskey that finishes long and smooth with serious depth.