Tag Archives: VQA

Cabernet Franc, Nichol Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC, 12.4% abv., 2018

Nichol produces some of the best, and food friendliest wines in the Okanagan Valley.  This Cabernet Franc is no exception. The grapes were handpicked in 2018 from 13 rows planted at Naramata Village in 1989.  Basket pressed, it was raised … Continue reading

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Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Lock & Worth Winery, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2019, 12.7% abv. C$22

There’s no doubt about it – spring has sprung. While it’s still a challenge to socially distance wine with friends on the porch, here is a bottle that should be on everyone’s patio menu when life opens up post-Covid. From … Continue reading

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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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Merlot, Upper Bench Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2012, 14.3% abv, C$26

I visited this winery in mid-August 2015 on the day they were actually harvesting Chardonnay for sparkling wine out back.  Yes, in August! While I had real trouble getting the attention of those behind the bar for tastings, eventually I … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Free Form, Haywire, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2014, 12.8% abv, C$41

If I could drink this all day, every day, I would.  Hands down.  No question. Unfined, unfiltered, fermented with indigenous yeast, and aged for 8 months on the skins in amphorae.  Pressed and then rested for two more months and … Continue reading

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Rosé, Clos du Soleil, Similkameen Valley VQA, Okanagan, BC, 2013, 13.1% abv.

Many people think you can’t or shouldn’t drink rosé during winter.  Says who?  Does it make you smile? Does it make you happy? A perennial favourite of mine, the Similkameen Valley’s Clos du Soleil winery makes many of my go to BC … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Foxtrot, Erickson Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2010, 13.6% abv.

We visited Foxtrot in 2013 and purchased this bottle plus another Pinot Noir made with grapes from the Foxtrot Vineyard.  It wasn’t easy keeping this one until Christmas 2015, but we managed. A perfect accompaniment to turkey dinner with sausage stuffing … Continue reading

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Church & State, Gravelbourg Vineyard, Chardonnay, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, 2012, 13.8% abv, C$27

This wine was awarded silver in the 2014 Decanter World Wine Awards and it won a gold star at a pre-Christmas dinner this past weekend with the in-laws. So complimentary with roast turkey, the wine is a medium shade of gold … Continue reading

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Thornhaven Estates, Gewürztraminer, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada, 2012, 13.5% abv.

Did you know? Gewürztraminer shares the same genetic footprint as several other white grapes including Savagnin, Paien (Switzerland), Traminer (Germany) and Traminer Aromatico (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy). It’s an aromatic grape that is thought to be a mutation of the Savagnin Rose … Continue reading

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Old Vines Riesling, Tantalus, Okanagan Valley VQA, Kelowna, BC, 2008, 12.1% abv., C$30 (Tasted Dec. 2013, Jan. 2015, and April 2021)

Riesling – such a maligned grape and so often misunderstood.  There is no valid reason for this.  It’s the most versatile varietal around – a great grape of Germany, as well as the Alsace, and first class specimens are produced … Continue reading

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