Riesling, Pinot Gris and Viognier were prominent in this BC VQA Spring wine release tasting. It is not surprising as white wine releases are more common in the Spring while more red wines are released in the Fall. Viognier though I think made a bigger showing this year than in past years, and showed well. Lots of fruit flavour and fuller-bodied.
As I mentioned in my previous article, 2018 BC Vintage Media Preview – What Did The Winemakers Say?, 2018 was a cooler vintage with a long season which gave the grapes the chance to fully ripen and keep their natural acidity high. Some of the wines below are from 2018 and you will read that fruit flavours and acidity made bright, flavourful wines. There are also some older vintages released from 2016-17. Still great wines, and it should let you see that BC white wines don’t need to be drunk immediately. Bottle age is OK.
Below is a selection of the white and sparkling wines that I thought were quite good. In the Fall I will be covering the BC VQA Red Wine release. Enjoy.
My Wine Picks
C.C. Jentsch Cellars Viognier 2016 ($17.70++) – This wine has a nice aromatic orange nose. It is off-dry with medium acidity and body. A mix of tropical fruit and orange flavours. Tasty! 
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Da Silva Riesling 2016 – Light petrol and apple on the nose with more on the palate. This wine has a slightly sweet edge that dries out toward the finish. Quite tart crisp apple flavour. This wine will age nicely over 4-8 years. –
Harper’s Trail Estate Winery Pinot Gris 2018 ($14.51++) – Light stone fruit nose. Medium-plus body with higher acidity. Mineral. Stone fruit and some grapefruit rind flavours. Medium-plus acidity. –
Indigenous World Winery Pinot Gris 2018 ($12.99++) – Very aromatic; grapefruit and melon on the nose. Grapefruit on the palate. Dry, full body with medium acidity. Highly recommended.
Lang Vineyards Farm Reserve Riesling 2018 ($15.49++) – Light petrol and peach nose. Semi-sweet, medium body and lighter acidity. Semi-round mouthfeel. Apricots and honey flavours. Age-worthy over 4-5 years. –
LaStella Winery Vivace Pinot Grigio 2017 ($16.99++) – Nice ripe apple, baked and bruised apple aromas. Fuller body, smooth with medium acidity. Bruised apple flavour. Nice.
Moraine Estate Winery Riesling 2018 ($19.90++) – Very light citrus lime nose. Off-dry, medium body with a mineral streak. Citrus primarily with lesser peach flavour. Tasty.
Phantom Creek Estates Riesling 2017 ($24++) – Light, bright lemon colour. Light honey and stonefruit aromas. Dry, medium-plus body with higher acidity. Crisp apple, peach skin and a hint of petrol on the palate.
Phantom Creek Estates Viognier 2017 ($32++) – Ripe peaches and apricots and tropical fruits on the nose. Full body with a thick mouthfeel. Coconut, honey and ripe stone fruit flavours. Intense! –
Singletree Winery Viognier 2018 ($14.61++) – Very light intensity nose showing ginger and stonefruits. Medium-plus body, dry with medium acidity. A mix of tropical fruit and stonefruit flavours. –
Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Gris 2018 ($14.31++) – Nice light, fresh stone fruit nose. Medium body, slightly off-dry with medium acidity. Stonefruit and bramble leaf flavours. An understated wine.
Unsworth Vineyards Ltd Charme De L’ile NV ($19++) – Crab apple aromas that continue to the palate. Off-dry with high acidity and lighter body. Some floral hint as well.
Tantalus Vineyards Blanc de Blancs 2016 ($24.47++) – This sparkling wine has a very nice nose of crab apples and McIntosh apples. Dry with high acidity. Small creamy bubble. Crab apple on the palate. Delicious.
Tantalus Vineyards Riesling 2018 ($19.25++) – Light stonefruit nose. Semi-sweet, medium-plus body and medium-plus acidity. Nice round mouthfeel. Ripe apple flavour.
Thornhaven Estate Winery Gewurztraminer 2017 ($13.98++) – Lots of rose petals and lychee aromas. Medium body, dry and medium acidity. Honey, ripe peach and sweet spice flavours.
Upper Bench Estate Winery Riesling 2018 ($17.90++) – A nice light intensity, ripe sweet stone fruit nose. Higher acidity with a hint of sweetness. Stone fruits and minerality on the palate.
Upper Bench Estate Winery Chardonnay 2017 ($20.21++) – Toasty, tropical fruit nose. Dry, full body with tasty tropical fruit flavours and a touch of butterscotch. –
