The first two wines from 50th Parallel Estates Winery for me to taste are aromatic whites that you would find in the Alsace region of France, but of course these wines are located in Lake Country. The two wines I am tasting are their Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer 2019.
Where is Lake Country?
You may not be familiar with the Lake Country region. It is north of Kelowna. Here is a map to show you the location of the winery.
My Tasting Notes
50th Parallel Estate Gewurztraminer 2019 (BC $20.50) – this wine has a bright medium-plus deeper lemon colour. It has a medium intensity, “classic” nose showing lychee, sweet spices and roses, along with some apples. This wine is off-dry and is very soft, round, and has a light acidic prickle. Delicate flavours of pineapple, lychee, apple, sweet spices and faint roses. Some leafiness comes on the mid palate to the finish. A medium length finishes slightly off dry, a touch of pepperiness, sweet spices, roses, and honey. Try with a soft creamy cheese. I did try this wine with a jalapeno-infused Monterey Jack cheese and it worked quite well.
A delicately scented and flavoured Gewurztraminer with lychee and spices on the nose and palate. You also get pineapple, apple and roses flavours. Nice tasting without overpowering flavours.50th Parallel Estate Pinot Gris 2019 (BC $22.50) – has a medium intensity bright lemon colour in the glass. A medium plus intensity nose showing lemon and honey, along with lees, pears, some toast and white flowers, and with air a touch of stone fruits. With decanting the aromas become a bit lighter and I picked up some orange scent. This wine is dry, round and smooth, medium thick mouthfeel, higher acidity but no prickle on your tongue. Lots of citrus, apple and white flowers and peppery flavours. Pears and other stone fruits show with air. The wine has a steely finish and flavours of grapefruit pith, other citrus, pears, toast and apples. Decanting has no major changes other than a bit more stone fruit flavours. No need to decant.
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A brightly lively wine with lemon, pears and floral on the nose and palate. Smooth with a steely finish.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can order the 50th Parallel Estate Winery’s wines online on their website. Everything Wines sells these two wines. 50th Parallel Estate’s website does provide a web search for private shops and restaurants offering their wines in BC and in Alberta.
