Four Fresh Earth Day Inspired Recommendations from Vessel Liquor

The Goods from Vessel Liquor

Victoria, BC | Since opening doors in December 2015, Vessel has become Victoria’s hub for all things wine, beer, spirits, cider, and the conversation and culture surrounding them. Our locally-owned, independent company was built around supporting authentic products and producers, from our BC backyard and from around the globe.

Awarded Best Liquor Store in Victoria (seven times!), Vessel remains even more committed to serving the community. In 2022 we greatly expanded the footprint of our store, allowing for hundreds more listings. And in 2023, we expanded provincially, with an extensive new website and online store, allowing customers from across BC to shop Vessel from home.

With Earth Day on the horizon (April 22) we’ve selected four fresh picks made in a clean, green, sustainable way:

MADE IN BC

Tofino Distillery Organic Canadian Gin, Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC. $39.99

This organic gin will transport you right to the wind swept west coast with its blend of florals, woodsy, and citrus notes, imbued with a briny marine spray. Because it is non-chill filtered, you may see a little Tofino Fog rolling into your glass when you serve this on the rocks, just adding to the experience. A distinctive cocktail gin. Find it online.

THE NUNS KNOW

Monastero Suore Cistercensi Coenobium Ruscum Bianco 2024, Lazio, Italy. $49.99

This is not your typical Italian white wine. Unless, that is, you usually take of natural wine made by nuns. In the case of Coenobium, it’s grown and raised by the Roman Catholic Sisters of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, under the guidance of Giampiero Bea, son of one of Italy’s most prominent non-interventionist wine producers, Paulo Bea. Trebbiano, Malvasia, and Verdicchio from Lazio’s volcanic soils was native fermented and with 2+ weeks of skin contact before a short rest and being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Elderflower, orange blossoms, grilled almond, rambutan, Asian pear, fill a grippy, fine, palate, threaded with pomelo oil. A wash of salts throughout, finishing with a pinch of spice. Singular. Find it online.

TERROIR TRANSMISSION

Domaine Marcel Deiss Alsace Rouge 2020, Alsace, France. $59.99

From the pioneering biodynamic Deiss family, this certified organic and biodynamic estate Pinot Noir comes from Alsace’s Bergheim, St Hippolyte, and Beblenheim terroirs and their mix of limestone, flint, gravel and granite soils. After destemming, gentle maceration, and a native ferment, this continued to age one year in tank and barrel. Crushed cherry, perfumed black plum is lit with a tart cassis acidity, and wrapped with finely sticky tannins that hug this slender red through a stony, cinnamon spiced finish. Lovely poise and finesse here, and a wine very well suited to duck / mushroom dishes. Find it online.

NIAGARA LIMESTONE

Tawse Winery Quarry Road Vineyard Chardonnay 2023, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario. $39.99

Off their organic estate Vinemount Ridge vineyard, in Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula, this Chardonnay is rooted in clay and limestone soils. After a native ferment in French oak, this remained for 12 months there prior to bottling. Mineral led, with toasted hazelnut, lemon, and green apple lit with that characteristic limestone buzz that lingers on the finish. A beauty cross-Canadian pairing with halibut or spot prawns. Find it online.