Best of BC: Gewurztraminer

One cannot define, with a single sentence, the Okanagan Valley's climate and selection of diverse terroir except, perhaps, to state that "it is perfect for growing Gewurztraminer". Gerwurztraminer excels in the warm areas of cool climate regions which fits the Okanagan Valley to a tee. The valley's winemakers are also excelling in their own right using cool fermentation methods to preserve the natural aromatic qualities of the varietal producing an array of different Gewurztraminers to choose from. The wines, ranging from bone-dry to ice wine, showcase the uniqueness of each planted area in the valley and reflect the winemaker's vision for the final product.

The following Gewurztraminers, organized by price point, represent the best the province has to offer:

$20 and below:

2010 Oak Bay Estate Winery - $16.50
Classic Alsatian "Goo" flavours of lychee, spice and citrus fruits follow on the well-balanced, full-bodied palate with a touch of residual sugar, good acidity and a long finish with lingering peppery lemon. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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2009 Nichol Vineyard Estate Winery - $17
A healthy perception of sweetness due to concentrated flavours of lychee, ripe white peach and Bartlet pears is balanced nicely with a medium acidic kick of lemon. Savoury spices linger on the moderate-plus finish. Where to buy: Direct from winery.
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2010 Tinhorn Creek - $17.99
Off-dry and richly aromatic with mountains of spice on the medium intense nose and full palate. Stonefruit, citrus and peach fruit characters aplenty with a well-balanced, long finish. Where to buy: Direct from winery, BCLDB and VQA stores.
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2010 Dirty Laundry Vineyard's Woo Woo Vines - $17.99
Summerland's Dirty Laundry Vineyard makes a stunning three single-vineyard Gewurztraminers - this one, from the winery's oldest plantings of the Germanic varietal, offers an excellent balance of off-dry sweetness and crisp acidity, wrapped nicely in a loving embrace of candied fruit and river rock minerality. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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2009 Thornhaven Estate Winery - $17.99
Very full and oily in the mouth but appropriate levels of acidity help to add balance resulting in a bold expression of the Alsatian varietal. Seekers of subtle, dry "Goo" need not apply. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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$20 and above:

Desert Hills Estate Winery - $23
The nose will brighten the day of even the most determined of grouches with lovely rose petal, perfume, tangerine and sweet lychee fruit aromas. The palate is fresh and crisp with some residual sugar, but nothing the tart acidity can't balance effortlessly. Where to buy: Direct from winery.
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Best of BC

Our Best of BC section is an evolving resource rather than a one-time or yearly list. Use it to look-up the top performing single varietals and blends being produced in British Columbia. Grouped by varietal or blend and sorted by price-point for quick reference. New wines will be continually added as we discover them. Links to full reviews are posted when available.

White Blends

Red Blends
Cabernet

Chardonnay

Gewurztraminer

Merlot

Pinot Blanc/Gris

Pinot Noir

Riesling
Sauvignon Blanc

Syrah/Shiraz
Viognier

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Best of BC: White Blends

Why pay a bit more for an exotic blend than a familiar, go-to single varietal wine? The ultra-slick harmony that develops when one balances the appropriate amount of complimentary varietals together resulting in a wine that, when blended, is greater than its individual parts.


$20 and below:

Blasted Church Vineyards 2010 Hatfield's Fuse - $18
This blend of aromatic varietals with Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc in the lead, offers a truly gorgeous, floral nose with light citrus and orchard fruit aromas.
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Stoneboat Vineyards 2010 Chorus - $18
Consumption of this beauty need not be restricted to sunny patios, but it is recommended. Pairs well with a fennel and Mandarin orange spinach salad.
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Young and Wyse Collection 2010 Amber - $20
The balance is ever-so-slightly "hot", but the richness on the palate generally masks the alcohol. Crisp citrus acidity, in turn, balances the fullness on the palate resulting in a very tasty wine with a moderate-plus finish and excellent texture. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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Herder Winery and Vineyards 2010 Three Sisters - $20
A lovely blend of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Viognier that may not possess the most expressive nose but who's sumptuous orchard fruit, tangy citrus and lush passion fruit-filled palate more than makes up for the muted first impression.
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$30 and below:

Bartier-Scholefield 2010 White Table Wine - $22
A blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc with impressive balance and concentration for a wine produced with minimal intervention in mind. If you were to make a "serious" wine out of Honest John's White from Road 13 Vineyards, where Michael Bartier was the head winemaker for many years, this would be the wine.
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Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2011 Oldfield Series 2Bench White - $23
Both opulent, with rich orchard fruit by the bushel, and light with delicate, aromatic notes'a'plenty. Melon, grapefruit and minerals round out the flavour profile with a touch of lingering spice on the long finish.
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JoieFarm 2011 A Noble Blend - $24
The final blend is 38% Riesling, 33% Gewurztraminer, 14% Pinot Blanc, 11% Pinot Auxerrois and 4% Schoenberger, yet the key ingredient is the balance of acid to residual sugar that JoieFarm pulls-off consistently each year no matter which varieties are used or from where they are sourced.
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Stag's Hollow Winery 2010 GVM - $28
With its exotic character, refined palate and long, long finish, the GVM is certainly greater than its parts and should be sought out by BC wine lovers who can see past the lack of a universally adopted varietal identity and who specifically appreciate the relative freedom afforded the winemakers in our New World wine region. Where to buy: Direct from winery.
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Best of BC: Pinot Noir

$20 and below:

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir - $20
There is a classic Pinot Noir earthiness to the nose of this wine but it is the raspberry, cherry, mint and smoked cedar aromas which take center stage and confuse your mind that you'll be drinking a much more expensive Pinot.
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Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2007 Summit Reserve Pinot Noir - $20
The medium-minus bodied palate offers smooth, light tannins with flavours of red fruits, subtle oak and a touch of spice. Good acidity and mouth feel with a balanced, medium-plus finish. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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Rollingdale Winery 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir - $20
If you're a Pinot Noir fanatic who finds too-many New World attempts far too fruity then you'll love this Reserve Pinot from Rollingdale. It's a steal at $20. Where to buy: Direct from the winery and VQA stores.
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$30 and below:

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2008 Pinot Noir - $22
The nose offers complex aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, vanilla and forest funk with loads of allspice and earth notes. Savoury earth and oak characters take a starring role on the bone-dry palate with supple tannins and red fruits supporting. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir - $25
Recently awarded a 2011 Lieutenant Governor's Award of Excellence, this light garnet hued Pinot Noir from Oliver's Stoneboat Vineyards offers a gorgeous, seductive nose of sweet cherry-cola candy, vanilla, cedar, light earth and subtle oak spice aromas. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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Church and State Wines 2007 Pinot Noir - $26
Fans of Stoneboat's excellent middleweight Pinot Noir should consider trying this delicious, elegant and balanced example from Church and State (and vice versa).
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Averill Creek Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir - $28
This oak-aged wine (mixture of new and one to four year old French oak) offers layers of fruit and leather on the palate. A long finish with tidy tannins. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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Cassini Cellars 2009 Reserve Pinot Noir - $29
The dry palate packs a tart punch on the entry but evolves into a more refined presentation of silky smooth tannins supporting raspberry, cherry, spice and oak flavours. A light-in-the-mouth weight and fluid texture is followed by a long, tart finish with lingering oak spice. Where to buy: Direct from winery.

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Tantalus Vineyard 2008 Pinot Noir - $30
The 2008 vintage, although not the blockbuster that the 2007 was, is a solid and delicious Pinot Noir with an excellent balance of red fruit and savoury characters with a touch of fragrant aromatics. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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Howling Bluff 2007 Pinot Noir - $30
Youthful aromas of coffee, chocolate and orange peel with flavours of cherries and berries on the palate. Smooth tannins pair well with subtle yet present acidity to form a very well balanced wine. Where to buy: Direct fom winery (online only) and select private wines shops.
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$40 and below:

La Frenz Winery 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir - $32
The nose exhibits chocolate, plum, cement, and pepper. The palate is savory with milk chocolate and cherry. The finish was long and spicey. Where to buy: Direct from winery.
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Black Cloud 2008 Altostratus Pinot Noir - $35
Produced by current Township 7 winemaker Bradley Cooper, the "Altostratus", the high-end wine of a duo of Pinots produced by his micro-label side project, can take its place among the top Pinot Noirs of the valley. Where to buy: Direct from winery.
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Meyer Family Vineyards 2008 McLean Creek Road Vineyard Pinot Noir - $40
Refined aromas of dark cherry, plum, warm gravel, toasted oak, vanilla and a hint of spice are followed by an intense palate of similar flavours with added raspberry flavours and a smoky texture. The moderate-plus finish is well balanced with medium tannins and acid. Where to buy: Direct fom winery (online only) and select private wines shops.
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$40 and above:

Blackwood Lane 2009 Pinot Noir - $44
Possibly, the quintesential BC Pinot Noir as it requires no "Burgundy-esk" or "Central Otago-like" descriptor. This Pinot is pure BC... and that's a major compliment. Where to buy: Direct fom winery.
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Best of BC: Merlot

$20 and belot:

Cassini Cellars 2011 Merlot - $19
Practically an un-oaked Merlot which is a great style for BC which has been guilty, from time-to-time, of over-oaking under-ripe Merlot, turning the Bordeaux varietal into a mere conduit for French or American oak flavours rather than letting the fruit speak for itself.
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Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2010 Merlot - $20
There is plenty to like from the 2010 vintage with its later harvest resulting in added layers of complexity; white pepper, sagebrush and sweet smoke. House-style is achieved with good tannin structure, solid fruit and palate-cleansing, fresh acidity.
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Young and Wyse Collection 2009 Merlot - $20
There is a sweetness to the nose of this well-priced Merlot from Osoyoos winery Young and Wyse Collection which is so very pleasant to quaff. Crushed dark berries dominate and provide the sweetness accompanied by warm stone aromas reminiscent of the desert-like conditions of Osoyoos itself.
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$30 and belot:

Gold Hill Winery 2009 Merlot - $23
Highly extracted, reminiscent of Aussie reds with a hint of mint and a whopping 15.2% alcohol supporting the association. Yet, beyond that, it's pure South Okanagan dried herbs and big dark berry characters on display which firmly remind you you're drinking a well-made, local Merlot.
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Fairview Cellars 2009 Merlot - $25
An intense, bold nose of ripe, extracted dark berries supported by toasted oak, vanilla and pencil shaving aromas. On the palate the entry is sweeter than typical for a Fairview wine with scrumptious dark fruit purée, sweet oak flavours and mouth-watering acidity.
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Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Oldfield Series Merlot - $29
A very consistent wine, year-to-year, perfect for red meat and chocolate plate pairings thanks to its combination of dense, dark berry and savoury, licorice'n'cola aromas and flavours.
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SpierHead Winery 2009 Merlot - $30
A mix of savoury, earthy and oak notes blend nicely with ripe blackberry, raspberry seed an mint aromas on the nose. The dry palate enjoys body from just a hint of residual sugar and lush mixed berry fruit flavours creating a lovely weight in your mouth.
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Stag's Hollow Winery 2009 Renaissance Merlot - $30
Blended with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon which is inter-planted within one block of the Merlot, the wine presents a juicy, almost sweet entry on the palate with concentrated flavours of red and dark fruits.
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$40 and belot:

Cassini Cellars 2008 Nobilus - $39
A tasty treat full of dark berry, earthy peat, smoky licorice, toasted oak, dark chocolate and cherry-cola candy aromas and flavours. The sublime nose also delights with aromatics notes of rose petals.
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Painted Rock 2007 Merlot - $40
The concentrated, dry palate is elegant with a refined texture, good acidity, strong continuity of flavours from the nose and a long finish with lingering spice.
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Best of BC: Chardonnay

Chardonnay is an important variety to the growing wine industry of British Columbia. It's forgiving and grows relatively easily in most climates. However, it can often be too strong, too sweet and far too plain or over-oaked, giving fodder to the ABC crowd (Anything But Chardonnay). When done well, as it can be in both the Okanagan and Similkemen Valleys, it has the ability to show-off not only the winemaker's talents but a sense of place and terroir. The following Chardonnays, organized by price point, do both:

$20 and below:

Tinhorn Creek 2009 Chardonnay - $17
Classic aromas of luscious melons, buttery ice cream and orchard fruit with quiet herbaceous notes. Flavours of pears, apples, sweet pineapple and light toasted oak spice and with piquant, lemony acidity; very refreshing. Where to buy: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
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Blackwood Lane 2005 Chardonnay - $19
On the nose you get an intense bouquet of butter and oak with some orchard fruit notes and minerality. On the palate this gold-straw hued wine offers more oak and butter flavours with good acidity and pear, apple and slate notes. Where to buy: Direct from winery.
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La Frenz Winery 2009 Chardonnay - $20
A 50% oaked Chardonnay that display classic flavours of orchard and tropical fruits with excellent minerality and crispness. A bit toastier than the 2008. Where to buy: VQA stores and direct from winery.
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$30 and below:

Poplar Grove 2008 Chardonnay - $22
Only 17% oaked but that 17% goes a long way to add toasty notes and creamy texture to this tasty Chardonnay. Good complexity of flavours with orchard fruits, minerality and citrus acidity. Where to buy: VQA stores and direct from winery.

JoieFarm 2009 Un-Oaked Chardonnay - $23
Aromas of green apple skins, sweetened shredded coconut and canned pineapple. The palate offers orchard fruits, pineapple, lees and the minerality of polished riverbed stones. A quality and tasty, full-textured wine with good acidity, fruit concentration and just a touch of residual sugar. Definitely a Chardonnay for the A-B-C (Anything But Chardonnay) crowd. Where to buy: Private wine stores and online from winery.
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Therapy Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay - $24
A full-bodied oaked Chardonnay with good crispness. Citrus notes and ripe orchard fruit flavours with toasted oak and butter notes. Wet stone minerality adds complexity. Where to buy: VQA stores and direct from winery.

Laughing Stock Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay - $26
A major oak butter-bomb that may be tough for the ABC crowd but for Chardonnay lovers who like toasty aromas and cream on the palate along with their fruit and minerality. Good complexity. Where to buy: Private wine stores and online from winery.

Jackson-Triggs 2007 SunRock Vineyards Chardonnay - $27
This Chardonnay is a mellow charmer. No big butter-bomb oak explosions in this wine, more subtle tastes of tropical fruits, wet slate and margarine (rather than butter). 2008 vintage should be released soon. Where to buy: BC Liquor Stores and VQA stores.
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La Frenz Winery 2008 Reserve Chardonnay - $29
An exceptionally smooth and refined Chardonnay with good aging potential. Big orchard fruit concentration with a touch of residual sugar. Where to buy: Private wine stores and direct from winery.

Painted Rock 2009 Chardonnay - $30
The oak treatment results are surprisingly subtle, imparting mostly vanilla and oak spice flavours. The wine remains fresh and vibrant, never feeling weighed down. Enjoy this wine on its own or with food. Where to buy: Direct from winery.
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Black Hills Estate Winery 2008 Chardonnay - $30
Full-ish bodied and loaded with orchard fruit flavours and tropical fruit and melon aromas. The sublime, citrus acidity and austere minerality on the palate deftly balances the buttery oak flavours and caramel aromas from the partial barrel fermentation (62% French oak, 38% stainless steel). Where to buy: Direct from winery, VQA and private wine stores.
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Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2007 Platinum Chardonnay - $30
The fuller bodied palate has classic Chardonnay flavours of pears, apples with the acidity of roasted lemons. This is an excellent Chardonnay that can be enjoyed on its own. Where to buy: BC Liquor Stores, VQA stores and direct from winery.
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$40 and below:

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2007 Perpetua - $32.99
This wine has excellent fruit intensity and flavour complexity which balances well with the acidity and creates a lovely, long finish. Produced from grapes grown on their Osoyoos vineyards. Where to buy: BC Liquor Stores, VQA stores and direct from winery.
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Herder Vineyards 2007 Chardonnay - $35
A powerful, intense Chardonnay that avoids over-the-top, hit-you-in-the-face buttery oak flavours. The nose is subtle, smoky and refined with a good amount of tropical and orchard fruit aromas shining through. Lees and mineral characters are also present. Where to buy: VQA stores and direct from winery.

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JoieFarm 2007 Reserve Chardonnay - $35
Youthful aromas of butter, pear, apple with floral and mineral notes. On the palate you will taste flavours of lemon, pear, wet cement, green apple, melon and oak notes with high-minus acidity and a seemingly never ending finish. Where to buy: Private wine stores and online from winery.
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Meyer Family Vineyards 2009 Tribute Series Chardonnay - $35
The supreme balance comes from the medley of tart, green apple acidity paired with concentrated orchard and tropical fruit flavours all enveloped in layers of subtle, French oak. Acid, the perception of sweetness and savoury characters create a near-perfect trifecta of balance. Where to buy: Private wine stores and online from winery.

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