An impromptu BC wine celebration with friends

The most fun evenings are sometimes the most spontaneous. No big wind up, just call up some friends and invite them over for take-out. This was the case last weekend when we called up our pals Pete and Sharon, fellow BC wine enthusiasts.

Looking at this line-up of wine you'd think we broke the bank, but the truth is some of these were gifts, others we've been storing up for the right occasion.

We kicked off the evening with the award-winning Sumac Ridge Stellar's Jay Brut 2003, poured in our champagne flutes. We toasted the New Year, and were looking forward to getting back to normal after the hectic holiday season.

Pete brought along the Cedar Creek Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir 2002 which he thinks his neighbours might have re-gifted back to them. Pete was reaching for the adjectives. Just a hint of cigar smoke with a hint of leather, he said. We loved finding the words, but this is a very, very impressive red if you can get your hands on it.
The Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir 2004 was from Stacey's Dad's cellar. We really should have had it before the Cedar Creek, which was just that much more impressive, and the BO Pinot is no slouch.

The Inniskillin Okanagan Vidal Ice Wine 2006 was another surprise courtesy of P & S. I think the explanation that this pricey bottle was a Christmas present. We dug out the flutes again for this smooth as honey, golden nectar.

We were on a roll. It was time to roll out the big guns, Sumac Ridge's 25th Anniversary Pipe, our favourite Okanagan port wine.

Yes, we were feeling very, ahem, relaxed after this tasting session.

Oh, I don't know if we actually drank the Gehringer Bros. Late Harvest Cabernet Franc that night, but if you're looking for a yummy and affordable dessert wine it comes highly recommended by us.