This was the first Swirl Around BC trade tasting since the COVID lockdown where you could actually walk around tables, talk to winery principals and have them pour their wines for you. Earlier in the day, I attended the Masterclass on Expressions of People, Place and Time. It was quite informative and attendees were able to taste BC wines from many different vintages to see how the wines aged as well as how the weather during that growing season affected the wines produced. So when I went into the big tasting room to roam and taste wines, I only had time to taste mainly white wines, sparkling wines, and a few red wines. Below are my favourite wines from this Fall BC wine release. Enjoy.
My BC Wine Picks
S’milka Vista Vineyards Sparkling Rosé NV – a blend of 70% Pinot Gris and 30% Pinot Noir. S’milka Vista is a brand new winery for me, but this wine really impressed me. I checked the info sheet for the wine and I see that Marcus Ansems MW is the winemaker. Marcus is also the winemaker and co-owner of Daydreamer Wines in BC and I have enjoyed the wines he makes there.
This wine has a pale rhubarb colour. Light red apple and red fruit aromas. Off-dry, medium body and high acidity. Crisp red fruit and a touch of rhubarb on the palate. A refreshing wine. 
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Maverick Estate Winery Chardonnay 2021 – Medium-plus lemon colour. Light but rich tropical fruit aromas, plus vanilla and butterscotch. Full body, smooth and round with lower acidity. Buttery. Ripe pineapple, butterscotch and light toastiness on the palate. Delicious. – 
Culmina Family Estate Winery Unicus Gruner Veltliner 2020 – Pale lemon in the glass. A light green citrus nose. Dry, medium-minus body with a lean mouthfeel. citrus, green fruit, and touches of honey or marmalade. Medium length.
Culmina Family Estate Winery Dilemma Chardonnay 2017 – A 5-year-old white BC that shows that it ages very well. It has a medium-minus lemon colour. Light butterscotch aroma. Dry and round with a thicker mouthfeel. Roasted apples, light toast flavours. Medium acidity. Sweet spices and pepperiness on the finish.
Tantalus Vineyards Riesling 2021 – Pale colour. Light orange and peach aromas. Off-dry with medium-plus acidity. Medium intensity flavours of stone fruits and orange and/or marmalade. Medium length. Very approachable.
Black Hills Estate Winery Chardonnay 2020 – Medium lemon colour. A light, toasty nose along with a touch of peach. Dry, medium-minus body with a soft mouthfeel Light apple, sweet spices, oak, and vanilla flavours. Medium-minus length.
Westbert Winery Viognier 2021 – Pale colour. Light stone fruit nose. Light body with soft mouthfeel. Lower acidity. Tropical fruit flavours. Elegant.
LFNG Laughing Stock Vineyards Chardonnay 2020 – Pale lemon colour. A light toasty nose with a touch of apple. Medium body with a light mouthfeel. Toast, apples and a touch of nutmeg on the palate.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
The best place to find these wines is to visit the wineries’ websites. Some of the wines may be in private wine shops, but you will have to ask. Winery websites:
