Tag Archives: Canada
Pinot Gris, Reserve, Hillside Winery, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, Canada, 2017, 13.7% abv.
I had wanted to visit Hillside Winery for a while – not only is their Reserve Pinot Gris one of my absolute favourite wines of all time, but their celebrated restaurant is award winning. We popped in for a visit … Continue reading
Seaside Gin, Sheringham Distillery, Sooke, BC, Canada, 43% abv, C$46
It’s not often that I write about spirits on Winellama. In fact, when I took the WSET Diploma, I balked at having to take a course on spirits. In the end, it was the course I learned the most from … Continue reading
Salish Sea, Sea Star Vineyards and Winery, Pender Island, BC, 11.5% abv, C$23
Salish? So delish. Recently, I went on a long weekend escape on the Salish Sea, and enjoyed a bottle of Sea Star Vineyards and Winery’s aptly named ‘Salish Sea,’ a delicious wine made from Ortega and Siegerrebe grapes organically grown … Continue reading
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
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
Sémillon, 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
Pinot Blanc, Clos du Soleil, Grower’s Series, Middle Bench Vineyard, Similkameen Valley VQA, Okanagan, BC, 2015, C$20++
I love Pinot Blanc wines – they taste great and compliment all sorts of dishes – from pork to chicken, fish and pasta – with their great fruit and acidity. Many will argue though that because Pinot Blanc isn’t a … Continue reading
Brio, Glenterra Vineyards, Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, 2014, 13% abv. C$25
Kudos. Serious kudos. You’ve got to give Glenterra credit. Dry farming grapes in Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island in a sustainable manner is no easy feat and can’t be for the faint of heart. They’re located in a tiny micro-climate, … Continue reading
Riesling, Upper Bench Winery, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA, 12.5% abv, 2013, $C19
Looking for something that tastes good and won’t kill your wallet after you pay for the Thai food delivery and your tom yum goong? A trustworthy effort from the Upper Bench Winery from just outside of Penticton, this Riesling is … Continue reading
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