Wine Guy: Sip and support British Columbia

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To say B.C.’s wine industry is having a tough go of things would be an understatement. After a treacherous winter freeze and wildfire season significantly impacted the 2023 vintage, along came an extreme cold snap this January to wreak havoc on the Okanagan’s 2024 harvest.

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Preliminary reports suggest that some 90 per cent of this year’s grape harvest will be lost. The situation recently prompted the B.C. government to announce $70 million in funding to replant orchards and vineyards.

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However, this initiative will take time; right now to help we can show our support by buying B.C. wine. Bottles from 2023 and ’24 will be in limited supply.

But you can stock up on current vintages in the market, sign up for winery wine clubs and continue to visit tasting rooms as the touring season arrives.

Kitsch 2021 11 Barrel Chardonnay, East Kelowna (from $25.99, available at select private wine stores)

While Kitsch Wines may have closed their tasting room, the winery is still selling wine in local private wine stores. This incudes the vivacious 11 Barrel Chardonnay, which yes was barrel-aged for six months in 11 French oak barrels. This was after hand-harvesting and whole-cluster pressing grapes grown in the winery’s Kitsch family vineyard.

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The result was 245 cases of engaging Chardonnay featuring aromas of apple peel, toast and oak. A sense of candied lemon presents in this rich, smooth and balanced white that would go great served with seared scallops or other seafood.

Bottom line: B+, handsome and hardy.

Keenan & Zoë 2022 Pinot Gris/Pinot Noir, Summerland (from $30.50, available at select private wine stores)

“Nothing added, nothing removed” is the mantra of Keenan and Zoë, the winemakers behind the eponymous line of wines. This means organic farming in their Juno Block vineyard in Summerland, and no additional sulphites introduced during the winemaking process.

Their Pinot Gris/Pinot Noir is a 60/40 blend that presents dark pink in the glass. It’s a robust rosé, with cranberry and pomegranate aromas complemented by a touch of funk. A soft entry leads to tartness and savoury tones building to a lively finish featuring a smattering of tannin and spice.

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It’s a friendly and flavourful bottle, one preferably sipped among friends with a pile of pizza.

Bottom line: B, textural and engaging.

Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars 2022 Gamay Noir, Okanagan Falls (from $30, available through the winery and select private wine stores)

Venerable Okanagan Falls-based winery Blue Mountain recently started selling their first red wine from the 2022 vintage. The latest vintage continues the winery’s tradition of producing elegant and complex Gamay, albeit in an overall richer and juicier style this year.

The winemaking remains detail-oriented, with long maceration in open-top fermenters utilizing native yeast, and long-aging in neutral oak. The result is an abundance of classic Gamay aromas of dark berry, bramble and herbs.

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It’s exuberant without being goofy, elegant yet approachable — and keeps the bright fruit and savoury combo rocking through a vibrant finish.

Bring on the roast pork or bison burgers.

Bottom line: A-, elegant and approachable.

The Swirl: Easter in the vineyards

You know spring has sprung when there are Easter-themed events happening among the vines.

A couple to note: on March 30 Gray Monk is hosting an Easter Market at their Lake Country winery featuring local vendors, food trucks and, of course, wine tastings.

Admission is free for the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. event (graymonk.com/events/).

On March 31, Township 7 is hosting their Annual Easter Egg Hunt at both their Naramata Bench and South Langley winery locations.

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The hunt runs from noon to 3 p.m. and tickets are $29.97. For complete details go to township7.com/events/.

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