A Pre-Emptive Bottle

The big Game 5 isn't until tomorrow night. The problem is that I'd previously booked a ticket to the BC Wine Appreciation Society's gala winery dinner and I'm not going to be able to watch the game. Buggah. Hopefully, the restaurant will have a TV by the bar or something. If not, I guess everyone has the occasional cross to bear.

As a precautionary measure, I figured we'd better have a "series" wine from J-T tonight. I don't want to risk jinxing the game's outcome. After all, a win will put the Canucks into the Stanley Cup Finals - a place they, and we as Canuck Nation, haven't been in 17 years.

810. 2007 Jackson-Triggs Proprietors' Grand Reserve Riesling (VQA Okanagan Valley)

In fact, I figured it likely wouldn't hurt to open a second bottle - even if it isn't another J-T. Drinking two Rieslings is sort of like trying a bit of each of the Sedin twins - even if the wines are different producers and different vintages. It's the thought that counts - isn't it? And I think a little something to celebrate the return of the twins as team leaders and - perhaps more importantly - scorers in this series is to be encouraged.

811. 2008 Orofino Riesling (VQA Similkameen Valley)

The second Riesling is a bit of a ringer to boot. Having won a Gold medal at the 2009 All Canadian Wine Championships, the 2008 is the fourth vintage of Orofino's Riesling that's been added to The List. Indeed, the 2009 is #437 on The List and was part of last year's playoff series. Despite the pedigree of that wine, the Canucks lost the game. Unfortunately, Orofino was matched up with the Chicago series last year and, as all Canucks fans know, the Blackhawks have been our nemesis for the last two sets of playoffs. That was then though. The Blackhawks have long been dispatched of this time around; so I'm figuring it's safe to throw another Orofino wine into the mix.

This little taste off was good for keeping the competitive edge for the playoffs. No? Both wines were good representatives for BC Riesling, but Boo and I each had a slight preference for the Orofino. I think it might have been the hint of residual sugar on the finish. Both were full of racy acidity, tart fruit and nice complexity. The Orofino was just a little more tasty.

Now I just have to hope that the two wines have enough of a finish to help the Canucks finish off the Sharks tomorrow.