“This series features both the BC Wine new vintages and a few favourites”
Back again this year for our #ShiptoSip 2021 aka #wineonline campaign. These wonderful wines from the Roche winery with deep roots in French tradition celebrate their 10 year anniversary. The wines of Roche are terroir-driven and crafted in the Bordeaux style. Whether you wish to enjoy now, or purchase for your cellar these wines are particularly special and available in limited quantities. Produced in cases lots of 300 or less.
Roche Wines 2020 Pinot Gris ‘Texture’
THE PLACE
This pinot gris is grown at the spectacular Kozier Organic Vineyard on the Naramata Bench. The certified organic farm slopes
west to face the setting sun and Okanagan Lake. The synergy of a warm microclimate with cool soils ensures long, even
ripening. From March pruning to hand harvest, we followed the vineyard closely to ensure ideal vine balance and crop level.
THE WINE
Hand-picked, whole bunches were gently pressed and free-run juice was settled overnight. Fermentation was completed in stainless steel tanks over three weeks. The wine remained on fine lees for four months before bottling. This wine is a clear expression of the freshness and minerality of this varietal.
TASTING AND FOOD PAIRING
Bright and crisp aromatics suggest citrus peel and green apple. The palate is pure and persistent with fresh acidity. Wild BC salmon, grilled vegetables, or chicken kebabs come to mind, but this is a versatile wine with or without food.
($21.90)
This wine newly released in April 2021 and is now available for purchase online at rterroir.ca, in-person at the winery, and at select private wine stores across the province.
Roche Wines 2018 Pinot Gris ‘Tradition’
THE PLACE
This wine is grown on a one-acre block of pinot gris within the spectacular Kozier Vineyard on the Naramata Bench. The certified organic farm slopes west to face the setting sun and Okanagan Lake. The synergy of a warm microclimate with cool soils ensures long, even ripening. From March pruning to hand-harvest we followed the vineyard closely to ensure ideal vine balance and crop level.
THE WINE
Whole bunches were gently pressed and free-run juice was settled overnight and taken straight to barrel. Fermentation was
completed over two months in neutral French oak barrels. The wine remained on lees in barrel for a total of eight months with limited lees stirring in the first two months. Neutral oak was chosen to enhance texture without adding overt oak flavours and aromatics.
TASTING AND FOOD PAIRING
Asian pear, ginger spice and floral overtones introduce this atypical pinot gris. The wine opens with aeration and swells to a broad mid-palate rich with ripe pear and lemon zest. Electric acidity carries the wine to an intense, long and focused finish. Serve with hearty roast pork, chicken, grilled halibut with chorizo, wild mushroom risotto, or mildly-spiced Asian dishes.
($28.90)
Available for purchase online at rterroir.ca, in-person at the winery, and at select private wine stores across the province.
Roche Wines 2018 Nuances
THE PLACE
Merlot is grown at Kozier Organic Vineyard on the Naramata Bench, on west-facing slopes overlooking Okanagan Lake. Soils include both granite gravel and finer glacial sediments. Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon are grown just north of Oliver, on well-sorted rounded river rock and gravel, a remnant of a post-glacial riverbed.
THE WINE
Hand-harvested over several days in late October, each lot was destemmed and fermented in separate stainless steel tanks. Extraction was managed daily with gentle pumpovers. After 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels, nuances was blended to
balance the character of vintage and varietals.
TASTING AND FOOD PAIRING
Juicy berry fruit and floral notes. Ripe blackberry, cassis, and herbal tones. Generous midpalate and a savoury finish. Versatile with steak frites, herb brined chicken, or baked melanzana lasagne with tomato sauce.
($32.19)
This wine is newly available for non-club members as of May 15, 2021. Available online at rterroir.ca, in-person at the winery, and at select private wine stores throughout the province.
Roche Wines 2016 Château
The Wine
Drawing from the savoir-faire of six generations of winemaking in Bordeaux, CHÂTEAU 2016 is the inaugural vintage of a new tradition of Grand Vin. Aged 18 months in 40% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered.
41% Cabernet Franc | 35% Cabernet Sauvignon | 24% Merlot
Tasting Notes
Fine vanilla, spice, black currant, and tobacco. Soft berry fruit, plush texture and an earthy salinity, fine tannins, persistent acidity.
($49.90)
Available online at rterroir.ca, in-person at the winery, and at select private wine stores throughout the province.
Roche Wines 2017 Château
THE PLACE
Merlot is grown at Kozier Organic Vineyard on the Naramata Bench, on west-facing slopes overlooking Okanagan Lake. Soils include both granite gravel and finer glacial sediments. Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon are grown just north of Oliver, on well-sorted rounded river rock and gravel, a remnant of a post-glacial riverbed.
THE WINE
Hand-picked, fermented separately, and aged in new and recent French oak barrels. Combining lots that show the greatest density and depth of the structure, Chateau is blended to reward 5-10 years of cellaring.
TASTING AND FOOD PAIRING
Fine vanilla, spice, black currant and tobacco. Structured tannins frame dense berry fruit and balanced acidity. Firm in its youth, the wine favours lamb or duck but will welcome leaner cuts and fine cuisine as it softens with age.
($49.90)
This wine is newly available for non-club members as of May 15, 2021. Available online at rterroir.ca, in-person at the winery, and at select private wine stores throughout the province.
CONVICTION
“Our strength is our combination of experience in both vineyard management and winemaking,
and a precise appreciation of the link between the two.”
– Pénélope and Dylan Roche
We have always worked with small lots, in direct contact with the vineyard, and we are acutely aware of the details that make the difference between good and exceptional wine.
From our roots in Bordeaux and Burgundy to the emerging terroir of the Okanagan Valley, we continue to build an informed perspective, based on observation from the vineyard to the glass.
We consider ourselves as ‘vignerons’ in the truest meaning of the word, committed to crafting our wines from start to finish.
Our priority is hands-on organic farming, with traditional French ‘savoir-faire’, to make exceptional wines that express unique Okanagan terroirs.
Viticulture
We farm our vineyards using organic methods. Environmental stewardship is important to us for the health of our family and ecosystem, and for the contribution, it makes to the quality of our wines.
Wine notes and bottle shots courtesy of the winery. Feature image MyVanCity. I received complimentary wine to facilitate this feature.
If you would like to be featured on MyVanCity.ca please connect with your pr agency email valerievdg@nullgmail.com for details.
