You are going to love these new spring time releases. These timely wine relases are going to bring thoughts of sunny skies and warmer climes. Any of these newest offerings could grace your Easter table.
If you’re looking for wine pairing and recipe inspiration look no further than these mouthwatering dishes all paired with your favourite Fort Berens wines. Check out #Taste here. Bon Appétit!
Now for the wines:
2020 Fort Berens Riesling Reserve
Wine Profile
TASTING NOTES
An aromatic Riesling showing a combination of stone fruits such as apricots and peaches, with a touch of elderflower. A rich and creamy texture that has a juicy finish with a great balance between sweetness and acidity. This off-dry Riesling will develop beautifully with some bottle maturation.
RATINGS
Deborah Podurgiel, Certified Sommelier tasted in January 2023, 90/100 “Just dry, medium-bodied, this super fresh Riesling is a mouthful of lemony goodness, white-fleshed stone fruit and spring florals, very elegant and balanced with a lemony zesty finish on a mineral note.”
VINEYARD NOTES
100% estate grown grapes from Dry Creek Vineyard, planted in 2009.
PRODUCTION NOTES
100% Riesling
WINEMAKER NOTES
This elegant Riesling was made with 100% estate grown grapes from select rows in our Dry Creek Vineyard. The grapes were cropped low and picked later in the season, providing great concentration and flavours. Whole cluster pressing followed by natural fermentation added to the mouthfeel of this wine. Fermented in stainless steel to retain the freshness of the wine.
FOOD PAIRING NOTES
Pair with grilled chicken dishes, stuffed pork, or grilled citrus shrimp.
$29.99 available online and at the winery
Fort Berens 2020 White Gold
Wine Profile
TASTING NOTES
This Reserve Chardonnay is bright pale straw in colour. It features aromas of stone fruit, yellow papaya with hints of lemon zest, and roasted nuts and buttered toast from the oak barrels. A well integrated wine that is full bodied with a rich and creamy mouthfeel, and a delicate fresh acidity on the palate.
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 – Silver medal and 90 points for White Gold 2020
VINEYARD NOTES
Dry Creek Vineyard, Lillooet – 100% estate grown grapes
PRODUCTION NOTES
100% Chardonnay
WINEMAKER NOTES
Whole cluster pressed Chardonnay that is barrel-fermented with native yeast that adds richness to the wine. Natural malolactic fermentation occurred in barrel to add additional toasty/buttery character. Matured in new and seasoned 225 litre French oak barrels for over 10 months. 17% new oak, 33% 2nd fill, and 50% 5th fill barrels were used. A beautiful Chardonnay showing finesse and balance between fruit and oak.
FOOD PAIRING NOTES
Pair this luxurious Chardonnay with dishes such as creamy mushroom and bacon pasta, or grilled smoky dishes such as grilled lobster with citrus and a white wine sauce.
$29.99 available online and at the winery
Fort Berens Meritage 2020
Wine Profile
TASTING NOTES
Savour notes of dark fruit, including plums, cranberries, and cassis, plus hints of vanilla on the nose. This soft and juicy wine is medium to full-bodied with hints of chocolate on the palate, and a lengthy finish.
AWARDS
Silver – San Francisco Wine Competition in 2022
PRODUCTION NOTES
65% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon
WINEMAKER NOTES
The grapes were hand harvested, destemmed, crushed, and cold soaked for 4 days before inoculation with select Bordeaux yeast strains. Pump overs were done every 4 hours to enhance colour and fruit characteristics. Each varietal was vinified and barrel matured separately for 15 months in a combination of 50% American oak barrels, and 50% French oak barrels. Our winemaker carefully crafted the final blend once the wine was removed from barrels.
FOOD PAIRING NOTES
Pair this food-friendly Meritage with grilled meats, classic beef burgers, or a rich, cheesy lasagna.
$31.99 available online or at the winery
Fort Berens 2020 Cabernet Franc
Wine Profile
TASTING NOTES
This elegant Cabernet Franc has enticing notes of dark red cherries, dark plums, cassis, and blackberries. The smooth tannins in this medium-bodied wine lead to a velvety soft, fresh finish.
AWARDS
Gold – San Francisco Wine Competition 2022
PRODUCTION NOTES
100% Cabernet Franc
WINEMAKER NOTES
The grapes were hand harvested, destemmed, crushed, and left to cold soak for 3 days. The juice was inoculated with yeast and allowed to ferment at 26 degrees. Pump overs were done every 4 hours for colour extraction. 3 days post maceration on skins for fine tannin extraction before pressing. The wine was aged for 15 months in 225 litre oak barrels. 50% French oak and 50% American oak. 2% of the barrels were new, 14% were second fill, and the remainder neutral.
FOOD PAIRING NOTES
Enjoy this luscious Cabernet Franc with roasted pork, a tomato based curry, or beef burgers.
$32.99 available online and at the winery
Fort Berens 2021 Pinot Noir
Wine Profile
TASTING NOTES
A new world style Pinot Noir featuring bright red fruit including notes of raspberries, cherries, and strawberries, with some earthiness following through on the nose. A light to medium-bodied wine with lingering red fruit flavours and a soft and smooth finish on the palate.
RATINGS
Deborah Podurgiel, Certified Sommelier tasted in January 2023, 93/100 “A beautifully balanced, very approachable and elegant Pinot Noir with soft and velvety tannins”
VINEYARD NOTES
Grapes sourced from Naramata Bench, Okanagan
PRODUCTION NOTES
100% Pinot Noir
WINEMAKER NOTES
The grapes in this Pinot Noir were hand-picked early in the season at optimal ripeness. The grapes were destemmed and crushed and allowed to cold soak for 2 days before inoculating with a Burgundy yeast strain. Gentle extraction by doing three pump overs a day during fermentation. The wine was then aged for 9 months in neutral French and American oak barrels.
FOOD PAIRING NOTES
The Pinot Noir pairs well with smoked salmon, grilled chicken, creamy based pastas, or mushroom risotto.
$34.99 available online and at the winery
TASTING ROOM HOURS
May-October
Mon-Sun: 10am-6pm
(incl. Holidays)
November-April
Thu-Mon: 10am-4pm
Tue & Wed: Closed
1881 Highway 99 North
PO Box 758
Lillooet, BC V0K 1V0
TF: 1-877-956-7768
P: 1-250-256-7788
F: 1-250-256-7780
E: info@nullfortberens.ca
ABOUT FORT BERENS
We would like to acknowledge that the winery and vineyards are located in the St’at’imc Nation territory that includes Bridge River (Nxwisten), Pavilion (Ts’kw’aylacw), Cayoose Creek (Sekw’el’was), Seton Lake (Chalath), Lillooet (T’it’q’et) and Fountain (Xaxl’ip).
Wine notes courtesy of the winery. All images: MyVanCity. I received complimentary wine to facilitate this feature.
