Summertime and Two BC White Wines from Okanagan Crush Pad

It is so hot outside, I decided to open two bottles of white BC wine made by Okanagan Crush Pad in Summerland. The 2 bottles are 1. Narrative Chenin Blanc 2019 and 2. free form Vin Gris 2019. In case you have not heard about Vin Gris, it is a very light Rosé wine made from red grapes. This Vin Gris is made from Pinot Noir grapes which have gone through quite a process from concrete fermentation using native yeasts, followed by malolactic fermentation, and then ageing 6 months on lees. Chenin Blanc is still a relatively new grape to many BCers, but it is quite established around the world, especially in the Loire Valley in France, and in South Africa. It is a very food-friendly grape.  These two wines are vegan-friendly. With this heat remember to keep the wines chilled to get the best presentation of these wines’ aromas and flavours.

My Wine Tasting Notes

Okanagan Crush Pad free form Vin Gris 2019 (BC ~$27.90)

The grapes for this wine come from an organic vineyard.

Appearance: A bright clear medium intensity golden pear skin.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity with subtle aromas mixing ripe apples and pears, some stoniness and blossom, and apricots with swirling. Lighter aromas with decanting.
Palate: Dry, medium-plus body, with a silky, round thicker mouthfeel, that is balanced with acidic prickle upon the first sip. That acidity smooths out on the mid-palate. Pears, pear skin, and peppery flavours, plus ripe apples with air. You also get some grape stem woodiness. A medium body with decanting, plus a little lighter-bodied and less peppery.  Besides the mentioned flavours, I also picked up either apple or some tropical fruit flavours.
Finish: A medium plus length finishing with lingering ripe pears, pepperiness, then a touch of honey and apricot at the very end. A more subtle, soft finish with decanting.  Less honey and apricot flavours.

I think this wine is slightly nicer without decanting.

Rating: – An interesting white (rose) wine with ripe apples and pears and a touch of blossom and stoniness on the nose.  Round with a heavier mouthfeel.  Pears, pear skin, and peppery flavours, plus ripe apples with air. The pepperiness and acidity are upfront and then smooth out on the mid-palate. A very enjoyable wine.

Okanagan Crush Pad Narrative Chenin Blanc 2019

Appearance: A medium intensity bright lemon colour.
Nose: A lighter nose with mainly toastiness, a hint of apple. I noted the same aromas and intensity with decanting.
Palate: Dry, smooth and round with medium acidity. Very minerally. Toasty, pears, stony, and apple flavours. There is a tart tone overlain on these flavours. Racy and zippy flavours. With decanting the flavours remained the same, but the wine was maybe a little less zippy.
Finish: A medium plus length finishing with crisp apple and tart finish. A little peppery at the very end.

With all this crispness and zippy acidity, I would recommend storing this wine for 2-5 years for that to tone down a bit and let the Chenin age a bit.  Aged Chenin is quite nice.  But if you would like to drink this wine now, you need to enjoy it with food. Have a cheese plate with brie and cheddar, or a seafood dish with a cream sauce.

Rating: A wine that drives your taste buds on a race of flavours and racy acidity.  The wine is still very smooth even with the bright acidity.  The nose is quite toasty.  Pears, apples, and mineral flavours on the palate.

Where Can Buy These Wines?

The current vintage of both wines are not yet available through the Okanagan Crush Pad website.  The free form Vin Gris 2018 vintage is listed.  Everything Wine has the Vin Gris, but it does not mention the vintage.

• Select Jak’s locations
• Liberty Lonsdale (North Van)
• Lucky’s Liquor Store (Nanaimo)
• Landing Liquor Store (Nanaimo)
• Vintage Spirits (Victoria)
• Cowichan Bay Liquor Store (Cowichan Bay)
• Ucluelet Liquor Store (Ucluelet)
• Chemainus Liquor Store (Chemainus)
• Alberni Liquor Store (Port Alberni)
• Burrard  Liquor Store (Van)
• Coal Harbour Liquor Store (Van)