Okanagan Crush Pad keeps telling us that “Wine is Narrative“. Every wine tells a story. Some stories though are more interesting than others. I think the more specific a place, the more the terroir can speak through the wine. While there is nothing wrong with wines where the grapes are sourced from widely separated areas, maybe the story is harder to decipher. Also the winemaker’s hand can also help let the story be told in the glass and on your palate. Heavy oak, or over extraction, can hinder the story. Recently Okanagan Crush Pad has launched two new wines, Narrative White and Red, both 2013 vintages. The white is made from Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Blanc grapes, while the red is made from Syrah and Gamay Noir. All grapes from the southern Okanagan regions. Do they tell a story? Read on.
Okanagan Crush Pad Narrative White 2013 (BC $17)
This wine has a more intense pear skin colour, which leads to a very fruity nose, full of tropical fruit and pears, together with hints of lychee, citrus and spearmint hard candies. Very round in the mouth, with a creamy texture. Slightly off dry, with medium acidity. Tropical fruits in abundance followed by pears, apricot and a hint of apple of lime. Medium plus length. Some pepperiness on your tongue and mouth watering acidity on the finish.
Rating: 
A straight forward wine that says enjoy our BC Okanagan fruit. Nice to sip on it’s own or maybe try with some creamy cheese.
Okanagan Crush Pad Narrative Red 2013 (BC $18)
Upon first looking at the bottle I noticed that the alcohol content was quite low at 12.9%. Many reds tend to be around 14%, so it was refreshing to see a wine that doesn’t try pushing it to the limit. This wine was a medium ruby in colour, and translucent from core to rim. Aromas of black and red currants, raspberries, and hints of smokiness and dark fruits. Dry with light mouth feel and tannins. Soft, fruity, with red plums, ripe raspberries, vanilla, and hints of cloves, milk & dark chocolate, and minerality. Mouth watering acidity with red cherries and tart berries on the finish. Medium plus length.
Rating: Another wine that is telling us a story about the great, ripe, aromatic fruit that the Okanagan produces.
The Back Label Story
Besides talking about both of these wines, the back labels also mention that the artwork for the labels is done by Scott Sueme, a visual artist raised in Vancouver. His artwork can also be seen done as a large mural on the wall to the entrance of Okanagan Crush Pad in Summerland. OCP noted on their website that they chose Scott’s art to show the bold, modern image of the new Okanagan style of wine aimed for by Okanagan Crush Pad.
