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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