Four Fresh Picks from Vessel Liquor to Celebrate Summer With This July

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.

Summertime is finally here, school’s out, soccer is on, and the sun is shining. Here are four fresh picks to enjoy this month:

MADE IN BC

Merridale Jalisco Cider, Cowichan Valley, BC. $6.99 / 473 mL

This slow fermented off-dry cider combines local apples with the refreshing bite of fresh lime juice from Jalisco, Mexico. Think of this as a margarita lateral, and at only 6% alcohol it makes for a refreshing and smashing patio sipper. Find it online.

TASTES OF THE SEA

Artemis Karamolegos Santorini Assyrtiko 2022, Santorini, Greece. $69.99

Artemis Karamolegos is one of the most dynamic wineries on the unique island of Santorini. This comes from vines averaging 80 years and blends 90% Assyrtiko and 10% blend of Athiri / Aidani. This was fermented and aged in stainless on lees for seven months. White grapefruit, green fig, mandarin, tight quince streaks across the palate, swelled with an effortless marine acidity, and kissed with salinity. Quite a smart, fresh, pure look at the island and Assyrtiko. Find it online.

DISCO OCCASIONALLY

Dieu du Ciel! Disco Soleil Citrus IPA, Quebec. $6.49 / 473mL

You’ll be dancing in the sunny streets once you taste IPA x kumquats. This orange hued beer floods the palate with fresh citrus, with a hoppy bite balanced off by the malts and the zing of kumquat zest. Fresh, fun, and addictively delish. Find it online.

TO THE END OF THE GALAXY

Wildman Wine Astro Bunny Pét-Nat 2023, Australia. $39.99

Tim Wildman MW has spun his colourful career into winemaker over the past years, known for his playful wines like this happy Astro Bunny, a blend of Arneis, Zibibbo, Nero d’Avola, and Fiano from various vineyards across Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, and Riverland. Perfumed peach, apricot, and lime pith leap from the glass, propelled by the Bunny’s fine mousse, and continue along the dryish palate to a snappy tangerine finish. So much fragrance and fruit in this fun 12.5% pet-nat. Find it online.