Happy Pinot Gris Day!

Originating in Burgundy, France in the Middle Ages, this white grape variety is a mutation of pinot noir and has medium acidity with flavours of citrus, green apple, and white peach.  

To help celebrate Pinot Gris Day, here are 6 locally made, delicious Pinot Gris!

1.     Blue Grouse Quill 2021 Pinot Gris - $22.99 online or select wine stores in BC. The Cowichan Valley gives this wine its fresh acidity and the presence of some malolactic fermentation adds a medium body, with a nice touch of creaminess on the palate. Expect flavours of apple compote and lemon curd. This “sipper” is ideally paired with halibut, shellfish, an endive salad or a hard cheese like Manchego.

2.     Evolve 2020 Pinot Gris - $22.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Light as air, and soft as silk. Lovingly made for the heat of the day and the heat of the moment. Floral and fragrant, an Okanagan summer in a glass. Aged sur lie for an extra textural flair, to set it apart from the rest.

3.     Blasted Church 2021 Skaha Bench Pinot Gris - $24.00 online or at the winery in Okanagan Falls, BC. Rich stone fruit on the attack through into the beautifully textured mid-palate. The pear, apple, and citrus pile on into the vibrant finish. Pairs well with roasted chicken, grilled fish, or salty cheese.

4.     Haywire 2021 Pinot Gris - $27.99 online or at the winery’s store in Summerland, BC. Intensely textured and very fruit forward with juicy acidity, this wine was pressed and fermented in concrete, stainless steel and oak foudre using natural yeast. The wine stayed on its lees for six months before being filtered and bottled.

5.     Singletree 2020 Pinot Gris - $19.10 online or the winery’s store in Abbotsford, BC. Cool-fermented in stainless steel to result in aromas of pineapple, peppers, and tangerine. Flavours of Asian pear and honeysuckle. 

6.     Singletree 2019 Pinot Gris - $17.40 online or the winery’s store in Abbotsford, BC. This year the winery team blended two valleys of fruit. 75% of the fruit came from the winery’s Mt.Lehman vineyards while the other 25% comes from the Naramata bench vineyard. It has tropical flavours of pineapple, mango and lime. 

5 Local wines for Viognier Day

Happy International Viognier Day!

Here are 5 locally-made BC Viognier wines to help you celebrate.

Viognier is a full-bodied white wine that originated in Southern France, dating back to the Roman Empire. After almost becoming extinct in the 1960s, Viognier has made a comeback and is now widely enjoyed around the world.

With its softness and natural low acidity, Viognier pairs well with everything from seafood to spicy Asian food.

You will want to seek these out so you can compare and contrast:

1.     Singletree 2020 Viognier, $20.75 online or at the winery in Abbotsford, BC. Aromas of ginger, mango, rose. Flavours of tangerine, peach and honey. Off-dry stainless steel fermented.

2.   Narrative 2018 Viognier, $24 At Steamworks Liquor Store in Vancouver, BC. Oily and rich with deep tropical notes and a very lengthy finish.

3.     Evolve 2018 Viognier, $19.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Aromas of peach, apricot, honeysuckle, with floral accents. Flavours of delicate stone fruit and light spices; juicy.

4.   Blasted Church 2020 Viognier, $20.75 online or at the winery in Okanagan Falls, BC. Tasting notes of stone fruits, tropical fruit, blossoms, and orange.

5.  TIME 2018 Viognier, $19.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Aromas of pineapple, orange, apricot, citrus, and floral notes. Lush tropical flavours with coconut from oak barrels. Finishes with a long, textured mouthfeel.