WCOW: Canadian Single White Varietal Regionals

Country: Canada
Region: BC
Manager: Liam Carrier

When I think of the best white wines that BC has to offer, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer come to mind. Other white varietals like Riesling and Viognier are on the rise but for this challenge I went for the big boys with multiple years of good vintages. As the best Chardonnay in BC are over $20 I was left with Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, which is just fine with me as I love them both.

Wine #1: Lake Breeze Vineyards 2008 Gewurztraminer
Price: $18
Region: Naramata Bench - Okanagan Valley - BC
Country: Canada
Notes: Perfect acidity compliments the sweetness of the citrus fruit aromas and flavours despite the lack of any residual sugar.
Full review: Follow Link
Score: 91 points

Wine #2: Thornhaven Estates 2008 Pinot Gris
Price: $17.90
Region: Summerland - OkanaganValley - BC
Country: Canada
Notes: Lovely floral aromas of jasmine and blossoms with zesty citrus and rhubarb notes on the nose. Off-dry on the palate with tangy citrus acidity and cool minerality.
Full review: Follow Link
Score: 89 points

Conclusion: The Lake Breeze Gewurz takes this round on points and value. The Naramata Bench outfit make a number of great white wines, but I think their Gewurz shines and is one of the best examples of this varietal in the province. To learn more about the winery or plan a visit, check out their website www.lakebreeze.ca/ . - LC

BC Wine Deal: March 4th, 2010

The following wines have been reduced in price for March including the excellent Platnium Series wines from Kelowna producer Cedar Creek. Look for these deals at participating BC Liquor Stores and VQA stores like The Wine Emporium.

Cedar Creek Estate Chardonnay was $17.90 is NOW $15.00
Cedar Creek Platinum Chardonnay was $29.90 is NOW $23.00

Cedar Creek Platinum Merlot was $39.90 is NOW $30.00

Cedar Creek Platinum Pinot Noir was $39.90 is NOW $35.00

Cedar Creek Platinum Meritage was $44.90 is NOW $35.00

Cedar Creek Merlot was $19.90 is NOW $ 18.90

See Ya Later Gewurztraminer was $16.99 is NOW $14.99

See Ya Later Riesling was $16.99 is NOW $14.99

Inniskillin Dark Horse Meritage was $24.99 is NOW $21.99
Inniskillin Merlot Reserve was $16.99 is NOW $15.99
Inniskillin Chenin Blanc was $16.99 is NOW $14.99
Sumac Ridge Cabernet/Merlot was $14.99 is NOW $13.99
Sumac Ridge Merlot Private Reserve was $15.99 is NOW $14.99
Sumac Ridge Black Sage Cabernet Franc was $19.99 is NOW $18.99
Tinhorn Creek Pinot Noir was $18.99 is NOW $17.99

WCOW: Canadian White Blend Regional Try-outs

Country: Canada
Manager: Liam Carrier

Canadian white blends were the focus of this week's tastings. This isn't a category with an abundance of qualifying wines at the top-end of the quality scale as many BC producers offer low-end white blends which sometimes appear as though they were afterthoughts. Not so with the two wines going head-to-head in this showdown. Both wines have been expertly crafted:

Wine #1: Road 13 Winery and Vineyards 2008 Honest John's White
Price: $16.99
Region: Black Sage Bench - Okanagan Valley
Country: Canada
Notes: A blend of 51% Sauvignon Blanc, 18 % Muller Thurgau, 11% Orange Muscat, 7% Schoenberger, 7% Kerner and 6% Chardonnay.
Full review: Follow Link
Score: 88 points

Wine #2: Blackwood Lane 2008 Vicuna Blanca
Price: $19
Region: Langley - Fraser Valley
Country: Canada
Notes: A tasty blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chenin Blanc and Gewurztraminer which offer aromas and flavours of grapefruit, apricot and blossoms with good minerality
Full review: Follow Link
Score: 87.5 points

Conclusion: The Road 13 offering edges out Blackwood Lane on points and availability and moves on to the next round. Close call, but the production level of the Honest John's White makes it much easier to get a hold of.