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.

Spring has sprung, and so have some fresh new finds to welcome the sunshine:

MADE IN BC

Junction Orchard & Cidery Elderflower Cider, Vancouver Island. $21.99

With apples from Mill Bay and wild forged elderflower from Port Hardy, this delicate, floral, low alc (6.9%) cider will take you to spring even before the Equinox happens. A wild ferment and bottling without filtration ‘ups’ the texture of the fragrant pear and citrus palate, while a kiss of honeyed sweetness lingers on the finish. A very smart and natural way to welcome back spring. Find it online.

GREEN TEA GREATNESS

Saicho Hojicha Sparkling Tea, United Kingdom. $11.99 / 200mL

Originating in Kyoto in the 1920s as a way of utilizing leftover leaves, stems, stalks and twigs, Hojicha is a roasted green tea from Japan. This zero proof tea is lightly sparkling, with delicate bubbles lofting notes of mandarin blossom, nori, toasted hazelnuts, fresh grass, and savoury sea salts along the palate. Bonus: it’s also conveniently pocket sized, for when you need a green tea pick-me-up on the go. Find it online.

MONKS KNOW BEST

Chartreuse Verte, France. $49.99 / 375mL

Chartreuse is an herbal liqueur that has been made by Carthusian monks since 1737, reportedly according to instructions set out in a manuscript given to them by François Annibal d’Estrées in 1605. To this day it is said that no one person knows the full recipe, as it is made in stages from 130 different herbs and botanicals, exclusively crafted at the Aiguenoire distillery in Entre-deux-Guiers a town in the heart of the French Alps). As monks are very busy, production is extremely limited, and finding it is VERY challenging (hence, only one bottle per person). A different flavour profile and recipe from its sibling Chartreuse Jaune (yellow), this green version is more savoury and herbal in profile, with a pleasant medicinal bitterness scenting citrus, pine, and wild mint. Find it online.

NATURALLY ORANGE

Francesco Cirelli Orange, Abruzzo, Italy. $39.99

In case you were wondering what style this natural wine is: it’s orange. This skin contact white was made from organic and biodynamic Trebbiano and a hint of Muscat, resting one month on skins in stainless. Pouring a golden amber hazy hue, with dried apricot, tangerine peel, meadow flowers, wild herbs, and almond, with a kiss of ginger on the raspy finish. A lovely food pairing partner. Find it online.