Category Archives: British Columbia
Blanc de Noir, Rosé, Sea Star Vineyards and Winery, Pender Island, BC, Canada, 2017, 11.7% abv, C$24
un·ex·pect·edˌənəkˈspektəd/ adjective adjective: unexpected -not expected or regarded as likely to happen, as in”finding this world class wine on Pender Island was unexpected.” I’d wanted to visit the Sea Star winery on Pender Island, one of BC’s Gulf Islands, for … Continue reading
Pinot Gris, Unsworth Vineyards, Vancouver Island VQA, BC, 2016, 13.5% abv. C$21
“Oh, I didn’t know they grow grapes on Vancouver Island. In Canada! Really?” And so it goes with the skepticism. Yes, believe it (or not), vinifera grapes are being grown on Vancouver Island. Really though, it shouldn’t be so much … Continue reading
The Bub, Haywire, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 12% abv, 2014, C$29
Bottle fermented and aged in the traditional method, this bubble was purchased by daughter Jess. I seem to have trained the child well – at least in that she has good taste in wine. It’s topped with a crown cap, … Continue reading
Viognier, CC Jentsch, Golden Mile Bench, Naramata VQA, BC, 2015, 13.5% abv. C$23
CC Jentsch is a small, family-owned BC winery located on the Golden Mile Bench in Oliver. Amber Pratt is Chris and Betty Jentsch’s winemaker. The family has farmed in the region since 1929. I first learned of their wines when … Continue reading
Semillon, Lock and Worth Winery, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2014, 12.3% abv, C$25
Matthew Sherlock and Ross Hackworth’s website says their wines are “unnerving and contrarian.” But they got me at, ‘Our wines are not for everyone and never will be.” Honest and direct, and that’s the way I like it – the … Continue reading
Pinot Gris, Hillside Winery, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2016, 13.7% abv, C$18++
On the eyes, this is a beautiful onion skin tone of pale, translucent orange with aromas of light stone fruit, mandarin citrus and crushed rocks. The palate is ever-so-slightly off dry with nice acidity and echoes the aromas with flavours … Continue reading
Rethink Pink, Rosé, Joie Farm, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2015, 12.5% abv.
Here’s an uncomplicated Rosé made with Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes by Heidi Noble for your back porch. The colour of pretty, pink salmon, this wine has aromas of watermelon and cherry. On the palate it’s mostly dry with a … Continue reading
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