The white wines from the cooler than average and late starting 2010 vintage can be best described as crisp and tangy with abundant natural acidity and mineral characters. Concentration and complexity is also present due to the prolonged growing season allowing longer hangtime on the vines for some varietals if the wineries didn't pick early. Time on the vine was so extreme in some cases that we should see more botrytis affected wines from the 2010 vintage.
Overall, the quality of the 2010 whites from the Okanagan Valley is strong, especially for the aromatic varietal wines where an extra acidic kick is welcomed. From recent tastings, here are some crisp, bright and most importantly, very tasty 2010 white wines to look-out for:
Bursting with classic "Goo" chracters of lychee and grapefruit with a nice acidic kick to balance the concentrated perception of sweetness from the fruit flavours. Where to buy: Direct from winery here.
Despite the winery's Lillooet address this wine is all Okanagan. Produced from West Kelowna grown fruit and fermented in stainless steel tanks, this Pinot Gris is fruit forward and terroir driven with excellent austere characters to balance the orchard fruit and lemon zest notes. Where to buy: Direct from winery here.
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A fairly dry Muscat which is a welcomed change from the many excellent sweeter examples of the varietal family. Dryness lets the subtle complexity on the palate shine. Where to buy: Direct from winery here.
The nose pops out of the glass with tangy citrus and candied fruit aromas. On the palate the wine is both biting and delicate. Crisp and fresh, yet gentle in its release of bright, nectarine, peach and lemon flavours. Where to buy: Direct from winery here and private wine shops.
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Prominent sweetness (25g/l of residual sugar) is balanced effortlessly with crisp acidity and strong minerality. The palate is fairly full-bodied for a Riesling offset by a refreshing, silky texture and a moderate, zesty finish. Where to buy: Direct from winery here and private wine shops.
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The long and sometimes difficult 2010 season has produced a lovely Chardonnay that showcases the orchard and lemon/lime flavours and crisp, natural acidity of the grape without the need of oak structure or added depth. Where to buy: Direct from winery here and private wine shops.
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A wonderfully delicate wine that oozes floral and citrus flavours. Sweetness is nicely balanced with the residual acidity. A great wine to pair with your sunny patio exploits this summer. Where to buy: Direct from winery here and private wine shops.
Similar off-dry style, but the mineral character is more prominent in the 2010 Riesling than its 2009 predecessor. Where to buy: Direct from winery here and private wine shops.
The Semillon component of this wine has been reduced to just a splash and is hardly noticible with the 2010 release. Crisp New Zealand style without the funky cat pee aromas. Where to buy: Direct from winery here and private wine shops.
Should appeal to the ABC crowd and to wine-lovers who love Chardonnay for its inherent fruit and mineral character more so than its compatibility with oak. Where to buy: Direct from winery here and VQA stores.
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Balance is spot on with good acidity and enough residual sugar to mask the alcohol and create a joyful and full-ish texture on your palate. Where to buy: Direct from winery here and VQA stores.
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The 2010 vintage has proven to be a good fit for Le Vieux Pin who routinely drop fruit in their vineyards to keep tonnage low, long before the threat of bad weather forces them to. The result is added concentration and a wider spectrum of flavours... and a higher cost per bottle. Where to buy: Direct from winery here.
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Tasty, crisp blend of 43% Viognier, 42% Roussanne and 15% Marsanne was not oaked leaving a focused, fruit forward sipper. Where to buy: Direct from winery here.
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 here.
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Production for this tasty blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Muller Thurgau, Kerner and Schoenburger is way up for 2010 which means visitors to the wineshop this summer will avoid being disappointed. Where to buy: Direct from winery here and VQA stores.
As the wine warms in your glass the oak and lees characters come to life, but never dominate the palate of nose. Stonefruit, green apples, lemon and austere notes round-out the flavour profile. Where to buy: Direct from winery here and VQA stores.
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A blend of 44% Chardonnay, 26% Sauvignon Blanc, 17% Semillon, 12% Viognier and 1% Muscat, this wine is complex and very satisfying with a rich, creamy texture and a crisp, long, balanced finish. Where to buy: Direct from winery here and VQA stores.
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The first white wine to be released by Osoyoos winery Young and Wyse Collection is a blend of 47% Viognier, 38% Pinot Gris and 15% Gewurztraminer. Crisp citrus acidity 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.
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