My definition of spring wine is any glass I sip on an early-season patio or break out for an April barbecue.
So, with that rationale as a guideline, let's charge into why these six wines are worthy of spring quaffing.
- See Ya Later Ranch 2022 Nelly Rose ($17) from Okanagan Falls
It's not spring without pink.
My wife, Kerry, and I sipped this rose on the deck that day when it was a record-breaking 21C in Kelowna last week.
We appreciated that it is a purposeful (meaning darker and bolder) rose with a strawberry-and-rhubarb profile, but still spring-like and refreshing.
- Joie Farm 2023 A Noble Blend ($29) from the Naramata Bench
A classic aromatic white blend of Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc in the French-style -- juicy and off-dry, but well-balanced with a streak of acidity.
- Joie Farm 2023 Un-Oaked Chardonnay ($30) from the Naramata Bench
No oak barrels were harmed in the making of this wine.
All fermented and aged (for a short time) in big stainless steel tanks to produce a Chablis-style Chard in the French tradition that delivers crisp lemon, lush pineapple and pleasing minerality.
- Hester Creek 2022 Storied Series Viognier ($24) from Oliver
Another aromatic white to pull out on the patio as the temperature rises.
Exotic and fragrant with aromas and flavours of honey, nectarine and lime.
- Catena 2021 High Mountain Vines Malbec ($27) from Argentina
When I put the filet mignon steaks on the barbecue, this beauty from Argentina was uncorked and decanted to reveal the perfect pairing profile of black cherry, violet and vanilla.
- Blasted Church 2021 Syrah ($32) from Okanagan Falls
When the extra-lean burgers went on the grill, this inky red made an appearance.
An inspired match for its profile of blackberry, savoury meatiness and spice.
Grand re-opening
Road 13 Winery in Oliver went all in for its new-release 2021 Seventy-Four K ($26) blending all the red varietals it grows -- Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Mourvedre.
The result is big and ripe with aromas and flavours of baked cherry, plum and spice.
It gets its name from the 74 kilometres you'd have to cover if you walked all of Road 13's rows of vineyard.
The new-release 2021 Seventy-Four K will be the star of the show as Road 13's Grand Re-opening Celebration tomorrow (Saturday) at the winery on (duh!) Road 13 in Oliver.
It starts at 3 pm to mark the re-opening of the tasting room and shop for the season, is free to attend and will feature tastings of Seventy-Four K and other Road 13 wines.
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at smacnaull@nowmediagroup.ca. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.
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