Letter From Canada

Posted by Adam Morganstern on Mar 16, 2008 in Letters

I began drinking organic wines to explore how to avoid the headaches and hungover feeling I got after a couple of glasses of wine at events or dinners with friends. While many people are not affected by sulfites, there are those, like me, who adore wine but need a palatable alternative.

Several years ago organic wines were few and far between, and frowned upon by the wine connoisseur or aficionado. I began scouring wine stores in the United States and Canada for “drinkable” organic wines. I tried vintages from California, British Columbia, Italy and France. To my delight the more I experimented, the more pleasantly surprised I became.

Then I realized that if I have these challenges with conventional wine, so might some of the patrons of my restaurant, The Galley Bistro on Bowen Island in British Columbia. It became my distinct pleasure to be a guinea pig for the cause. And the more I discussed my growing admiration for organic wines, the more I attracted those who were familiar with some good labels and those who happened to distribute them.

Here, on our tiny island, organic wines fly off the shelves of our General Store as well as our Beer and Wine store; by the bottle and the case. They can’t keep it in stock. Organic wines are so popular that our little Beer and Wine store has an entire display case dedicated to them. I don’t think this is a fluke, or that these wines are sought after because they are de rigueur. These consumers are savvy and inquisitive and pleased.

Those that sell the most vigorously are Bonterra Viognier from California (a nice array of fruit, very light), Villa Teresa (Italy) Merlot and Pinot Grigio (crisp with a pleasantly sweet/tart finish) and Villa Teresa Prosecco Sparkling (yummy, with soft bubbles and a nice finish!).

Organic Wine Works (U.S.) has some great selections, including A Notre Terre, Corbieres Chateau Pech Latt (France), Domaine de L’Olivette (France) and Cono Sur (Chile); my business partner, an exceedingly wine-educated self-proclaimed wine snob, and his wife drank an entire bottle and asked for more.

My passion grew to the point that I began taking my favorite bottles of organic wine to my restaurant and labeled them “ONLY FOR KAZ.” Immediately, everyone wanted to know what was so special about organic wines that I would forgo my entire wine stock, which is, I must admit, exceptional. Soon my staff wanted to taste them, followed quickly by my customers.

In my zeal to learn as much as possible about what organic wines are available, personally or professionally, I discovered the Organic Wine Journal, which has now become my “bible.” I have to answer all the organic wine questions being hurled at me, and what better site to go to?!

KaZ Brownlee is a co-owner of the Galley Bistro. Visit them online at www.thegalleybistro.com.