After being in business for 11 years as Richmond’s successful VQA B.C. wine store, Sip Wines in Ironwood is closing its doors. Owner Simon Wosk sold his VQA license to Save-on Foods. VQA stores only sell B.C. wines that have the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) designation. VQA is the B.C. regulatory and appellation system that guarantees the high quality and authenticity of origin for wines.
Steveston MLA John Yap’s recent inquiry into the Liquor Policy Reform led to changes that sealed Sip Wines’ fate. “The vast majority of people who responded indicated they wished to buy wine in grocery stores. The people are getting what they asked for. Hence the writing is on the wall. There will not be room for stand alone VQA stores to survive once we go past the tipping point in terms of the number of grocery stores selling wine,” Wosk explained.
Among the highlights of Sip Wines’ operation were the Thursday and Saturday complementary wine tastings. “As John Levine, our deceased mentor put it, ‘It’s Showtime!’” Wosk recalled.
“We’re putting on a show for our customers where our customers and us learn about B.C. wine together.
“We are the experts because the only rule we have at this store is that every person is an expert as to what he or she likes. And that is all that matters. Our goal was to eliminate snobbery in the wine business, and I believe we’ve succeeded,” Wosk proudly boasted.
Other highlights included the winemaker’s dinners at Tapenade Bistro, which included winemakers like Kim Pullen, of Church & State, and Bill Eggert, of Fairview Cellars, hosting a multicourse dinner and premium wine tasting.
Wosk also reminisced about the annual Iconic Red Wine Tasting. Both Wosk and his beloved mentor, the late John Levine, came up with the idea that saw customers blind taste and rate over a dozen premium reds that can age gracefully in one’s cellar.
As Wosk explained, “An iconic wine is over $50 U.S. and has been top-rated 90 points or more for ten consecutive years. The industry in B.C. isn’t old enough to have iconic wines. We wanted to see which wines may become iconic.”
Wosk cited an example of a B.C. “iconic red” available at Sip Wines.
“Church and State Quintessential ($58.99). It’s a traditional Bordeaux-style blend. Usually merlot dominant, with cab sauv, cab franc, Malbec and some petit verdot. This is what B.C. tends to do very well. Blending gives the winemaker more creativity than a single varietal,” he said.
Another highlight for Wosk was his very knowledgeable staff. “I’ve been really lucky. This store has attracted staff who are passionate about wine — as passionate as I am or even more so.”
“Eric Urquhart has been with me since the day opened. And Harold Rose came along about five or six years later. They both have a wealth of experience and knowledge and want to learn more.”
So, when is Wosk locking Sip Wines for the final time?
“Our last day will be Saturday, March 5. Church and State stood out as being our number one seller and supporter. Kim and Lyndell Pullen, the owners of Church and State, have agreed to come and do a tasting from 3 to 6 p.m. in our store. We’re going to do a Bon Voyage Party!” declared Wosk.
Despite selling his VQA license, Wosk is optimistic about the future for the wine consumer. “My crystal ball is that the wine consumer will be better off. I know that the Save-On grocery stores that have opened B.C. VQA wine aisles are doing very well. And they also hired the staff that operated at local VQA stores.
“I’m hoping some of the private liquor stores pick up the ball and expand their VQA inventory. This is an opportunity for them to attract our customers.
“But whether the B.C. wineries will be better off remains to be seen.”
Wosk’s plans for the future after closing?
“I’m open for offers,” he chuckled.
Thanks Simon, for the recommendations, the tastings, and over a decade of exemplary style and service. Cheers to the memories!
Four tasty recommendations from Simon Wosk:
White: Terra Vista Fandango ($25.90). “A lovely crisp high acid wine that is ideal for shellfish.”
Rosé: Clos de Soleil Rosé ($20.99). “It’s unique; it’s made from cabernet sauvignon. The reason I like it? This is not Provence. B.C. doesn’t need to be Provence. It expresses cabernet but in a fun food friendly flexible way.”
Red: Fairview Cellars Two Hoots ($25.90). “Small winery. It’s a wonderful cab sauv-dominant blend with merlot and cab franc. Bill Eggert’s wines are all enjoyable on release and the Two Hoots is exceptional value.”
Icewine: Paradise or Whistler Sauvignon Blanc Icewine ($28.90) 200mL. “They have all the qualities you get in other Icewines, with intense flavour and sweetness, but the sauv blanc producing higher acid gives it a much cleaner finish than the other cloying Icewines. It’s not syrupy. It’s wonderful and light.”
