Summer is nearly upon us, but the weather feels like it is already here. Time to spend time on the patio with family and friends. And of course some nice chilled bottles of BC white wine. Last week I attended the latest BLOOM BC VQA Spring Release Tasting, and tasted the newest BC white wines, and I have a few to recommend for your enjoyment. BTW, did you know that in 2015 we are celebrating 25 years of BC VQA quality wine? Happy 25th Birthday!
Bench 1775 Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2014 – The grapes for this wine are 100% Naramata Bench. It has quite a herbal and grapefruit nose. More grapefruit on the palate upfront, with pine needle and herbal in the background. Lots of citrus flavour. Dry. Very good.
Daydreamer Wines Pinot Gris 2014 – A new BC winery for me. It is organic and located on the Naramata Bench. Light stone fruit nose. Medium minus body, soft and dry with flavours of bruised apples and peaches.
Dirty Laundry Vineyard Woo Woo Gewurztraminer 2014 – This wine has always been a favourite of mine. The 2014 vintage is no exception. Light roses and lychee aromas. More lychee on the palate together with peach and some sweet spices. Round and soft mouth feel. Very tasty.
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery Private Reserve Riesling 2014 – I think this is my favourite wine of the tasting. It has a very nice nose with aromas of sweet stone fruits, and oranges. Medium body, off dry, with flavours of stone fruit, lychee, lemon rind, and pine needles.
Robin Ridge Winery Chardonnay 2012 – Light citrus, tropical fruit, and butterscotch on the nose. Medium body, round but with an acidic edge. Ripe apples and spice on the palate.
Saxon Estate Winery Pinot Grigio 2013 – Fresh peachy nose. Fuller bodied, round with acidic support. Honey and stone fruit flavours. Fresh fruit in a glass!
Upper Bench Estate Winery Riesling 2013 – All Naramata Bench grapes for this Riesling, and undergoes a natural “wild” ferment; always a risk but can come with a big reward in flavours and aromas. It has a light citrus and petrol nose. Medium body with higher acidity. Green apples, petrol and honey flavours, followed by peach and a mineral streak.
