Despite being in the wine business for 33 years, Richmond's Richard Carras is not ready to retire soon.
"The wine industry is a pleasure. I look forward to coming to work every day" he said.
From opening Vancouver's first wine bar in 1981, Carras became a wine rep for Vintage Consultants, a wine agency that founded the Vancouver Wine Festival.
He then moved up the ladder as the sales manager across Canada and the Far East for the famous Robert Mondavi Winery. Nowadays, he is vice president of Authentic Wine and Spirits.
Why a passion for wine? "I found out that wine was fascinating. It brings together history, religion, art, geography and science, Carras said.
"The more I explored the more there was to learn."
In 2012, Carras was awarded the Spirited Industry Professional Award, recognizing his lifetime achievements.
Carras has a strong commitment to giving back to the industry he loves. He considers his involvement in the Society of Wine Educators as one of his career highlights.
He served two years as its president and has been a board director for three decades. The society is designed for retailers, restaurateurs, chefs, and those interested in learning more about wine.
He initiated the Trade Days at the Vancouver Wine Festival which organizes seminars and special tastings for the industry. Carras was the first to teach wine classes in Richmond through the school district's Continuing Education.
Carras also established the BC Hospitality Foundation that has helped over 40 colleagues, who have a financial crisis through accident or illness. In addition, the charity created annual scholarships for sommeliers, chefs, and others in the hotel and restaurant business.
He recommends two popular French wines at $14.99. "The Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone white is minerally and lean. It's like it's been poured over slate."
French wines are known for their terroir character, which adds complexity. "The Louis Bernard red is smooth and velvety and such an easy drinking wine. They both go very well with food." Carras said.
Also highly recommended is the Cono Sur Viognier from Chile at $10.99.
"It's an amazing flexible wine. It's slightly off dry so it has a little bit of fruitiness and a lovely floral aroma. I can drink it all day long with or without food."
Enjoy it with chicken that has some fruit in its sauce, such as peaches.
Carras' final suggestion is one of my favourites. He describes the Masi Campofiorin from Italy, at $19.99, as a Super-Valpolicella. It is midway between a Valpolicella, a modestly priced, light red, and the very expensive very flavourful Amarone.
The regular Valpolicella is mixed with wine made from dried grapes so that the new blend has "enough richness to go with big rich food with the delicacy of a Valpolicella to make it refreshing." Enjoy with some pasta Bolognese. Asked what advice he can give someone who wants to learn more about wine, Carras suggests, "Don't just drink wine. Taste it. Gradually, you will develop a memory of the wines you like. And then enjoy them with friends, food, and music."
Eric Hanson is a life-long Richmond resident, a retired teacher and wine educator.
