I and other Trade people were invited to “explore the Pacific Wine Route with us. In the spirit of expedition and discovery, take a page from Lewis and Clark: come taste through the green, gentle slopes of Oregon’s unique beauty, and emerge through Columbia River to find the stern, mighty desert of Washington State…One, powerfully raw. The other, raw power.” There were more than 30 wineries from Washington and Oregon showing off their wines for us to taste. Plus what made it even more fun is that the wineries were distributed amongst four restaurants in Gastown, which featured small bites to sample with the wines:
- L’Abattoir, 217 Carrall Street
- The Diamond, 6 Powell Street
- Di Beppe, 8 West Cordova Street
- PiDGiN, 350 Carrall Street
There were many wines that I enjoyed and can recommend. So many that I needed to split this article into the white and sparkling wines and a separate upcoming article for red wines. Enjoy!
My Recommended Sparkling and White Wines
Sokol Blosser Bluebird Cuvee Brut Sparkling Wine 2020, OR – Light nettles aroma. Dry, medium body with medium-sized bubble. Acidic backbone. Light green fruit flavour. 
TIRRIDIS Traditional Method House Brut NV, WA – sparkling wine made with Chardonnay mainly, 1% Pinot Gris. A light stone fruit and apple nose. Dry, medium-plus body with medium-minus sized bubbles. Dried apples on the palate.
TIRRIDIS Traditional Method House Rosé NV, WA – sparkling wine. Light pink colour. Medium-intensity aromas of crab apples. Medium-pus body, high acidity and considerable creamy and biting bubbles. Dry with crab apple flavour.
Valdemar Estates Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2021, WA – A light toasty tropical fruit nose. Light body, dry and soft with a lean mouthfeel. Tropical fruit and a touch of toast and tartness. Medium length.
Great Oregon Wine Co. Duck Pond Pinot Gris 2021, OR – A light stone fruit nose. Medium body, dry, with a light acidic prickle. Tart fruits and honey flavours.
Seven Hills Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2022, WA – Medium-intensity aromas of white flowers, green fruits and vanilla. Pretty aromas. Dry, medium-plus body with a thicker round mouthfeel. Medium-plus acidity leaves a light prickle in your mouth. Green fruits and a touch of peach on the palate.
Phelps Creek Vineyards Gewurztraminer 2019, OR – Ripe to overripe peach aroma, plus lychee which continues to the palate. A thick, smooth mouthfeel. Peach and dried apricot flavours.
Phelps Creek Vineyards Chardonnay 2019, OR – Light apple and sweet spice aromas that continue to the palate. You also get butterscotch and tropical fruits on the palate. Buttery mouthfeel. – 
Phelps Creek Vineyards “Lynette” Chardonnay 2019, OR – A light butterscotch aroma. Medium-minus body, smooth with a thicker mouthfeel. Tropical fruit and cinnamon spice flavours.
IDILICO Yakima Valley Albarino 2022, WA – A rich stone fruit nose. Dry with bright medium-plus acidity. Stone fruit flavours.
Long Shadows Poets Leap Riesling 2021, WA – Light honey, stone fruit, and orange aromas. Medium sweetness with a light acidic prickle. Oranges and stone fruit flavours. Will age well.
Efeste Feral Sauvignon Blanc 2021, WA – A light honeyed nose. Medium body and acidity. Smooth with stone fruit and a touch of green fruit flavours.
Archery Summit Dundee Hills AVA Chardonnay 2021, OR – A light, toasty nose. Toast, peach and tropical fruit flavours. Bright acidity. Elegant.
Foris Vineyards and Winery Riesling 2021, OR – Light petrol and a touch of oranges on the nose. Off-dry, light body with medium acidity and light acidic prickle. Orange and a touch of stone fruit flavours.
Citation Centerstone Un-oaked Chardonnay 2018, OR – Very light apple and stone fruit nose. Fuller body, smooth with medium acidity. Rich apple and stone fruit flavours. A touch of bitterness on the finish.
Hedges Red Mountain AVA Le Blanc 2021, WA – A blend of Viognier and Marsanne. It has a deeper lemon colour. Baked apple pie, pineapple, and sweet spice aromas. Medium body, soft and smooth with a thicker mouthfeel. Nutmeg, apples and baked apple pie flavour. Gets peppery toward the finish.
Matthews Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021, WA – Medium intensity herbaceous and green fruit aromas. Dry, medium body and acidity. Herbaceous and green fruit flavours. Easy to enjoy.
I do not have the info readily available as to which wines are currently available at BC Liquor stores or private wine shops. If a wine interests you, please query online at your favourite shop.
Stay tuned for my upcoming article with my red wine picks.
