Summer is the time to enjoy BC seafood and BC wine together on your patio with your friends. That is exactly what I did with Township 7’s Provenance Series Rosé and Pinot Gris 2023. In general rosé and Pinot Gris wines tend to be fresh and best enjoyed upon opening, without decanting. For these tasting notes, that is just what I did. Opened the wines, poured them, made my notes, and tried them with a delicious BC seafood dish, made with halibut cheeks, lingcod, prawns, and swiss chard, in a coconut cream sauce on wild rice.
First, let me tell you about these two wines and then I will describe the food pairing.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Township 7 Provenance Series Rosé 2023 (BC $27.97)
From the winery, “Our 2023 Vintage is made from Merlot grown on our Naramata Estate, and Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from Sunshine Vines vineyard in Oliver. All varietals were sent directly to press, producing a fresher, more fruit-forward juice. The Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon were co-fermented to create integration from the outset. A little juice from our Langley vineyard was added for additional complexity. A slow cold ferment in stainless steel tanks ensured that aromatics were maintained and bright flavours were fully developed.” The wine is a blend of 68% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Chardonnay, and 4% Pinot Noir.
Appearance: A clear, bright medium-intensity salmon colour.
Nose: Medium-intensity aromas of rhubarb, raspberries and other red fruits.
Palate: This wine is dry, with a medium-plus body, semi-round with an acidic prickle. Light tannins and medium-plus acidity. Red berries, rhubarb, red fruit and some grape stem flavours.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with light tannins, tart red fruit, rhubarb and some grape stem bitterness.
A nice rose with tasty red fruit flavours, bright acidity and light tannic structure.
Rating: 
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Township 7 Provenance Series Pinot Gris 2023 (BC $24.97)
From the winery, “This vintage was crafted from Pinot Gris grapes handpicked from our Naramata Bench Estate Vineyard, where our west-facing, gently sloping vineyards have excellent exposure to the afternoon sun and enjoy cool evening breezes off Okanagan Lake. Fermentation was predominantly in stainless steel tanks to retain the wine’s fresh fruit character. Two barrels were fermented for added body and complexity. The juice was kept cool during fermentation at 14°C to preserve the bright aromatics. The grapes from our Naramata Estate Vineyard have wonderful natural acidity, creating a fruit-forward wine with refreshing crispness.”
Appearance: A bright clear, medium-minus intensity straw colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium-intensity fresh fruit aromas. A mix of tropical fruits and stone fruits.
Palate: This wine is dryish, medium-plus body with a round, smooth, thicker mouthfeel. Lighter acidity, but it still offers a light prickle on your tongue. Fresh fruit flavours. Stone fruit and tropical fruit flavours together with a hint of grape stem for interest. Also picked up some stoniness on the palate.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing off-dry with juicy tropical fruit flavours and touches of grape stem and pepperiness.
A fun, fresh, fruity Pinot Gris.
Rating:
Food and Wine Pairing
Both wines made nice pairings with the BC seafood in coconut cream sauce. With the Pinot Gris, I noticed the sweetness of the wine blending with the creaminess of the sauce. I enjoyed the Rosé a little bit more as besides the complementary flavours of the red berries and the seafood standing out, the acidity was slightly higher than the Pinot Gris which let it cut into the creaminess of the coconut cream making the dish feel a bit lighter.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Both wines are available to purchase online from the Township 7 website.
Remember 2023 had a cold winter snap which reduced the grape crop for wine. And 2024 had another cold snap which has made the grape crop miniscule for BC.
So buy these 2023 wines and other BC wines as much as you can as the amount going forward will be quite reduced. Support our BC wineries.
