If you happen to be in Kelowna sometime this season, including a Saturday, consider signing up for a free wine tasting at Franco’s Liquor Store, located near the University of BC Okanagan campus (UBCO) and just south of the airport. These events are listed on their website: https://francosliquorstore.com/ Most tastings are free, though some premium … Read more
2024 Chenin Blanc River Stone Oliver, BC $25.90 A part of River Stone’s Good Neighbours Series. The grapes for this wine came from the Columbia River area of Washington State. Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. The nose is pronounced with aromas of honey, floral, lanolin, beeswax, peaches, citrus, and apples. Very good balance with full … Read more
2023 Riesling (Old Vines) Nik Weis (St. Urbans-Hof) Mosel, Germany $33.99 Very pale lemon with light intensity. The delicate nose slowly develops to show aromas of lemon, minerality, floral and hints of stone fruit and petrol. Very good balance. Flavourful on the palate with peach, apricot, citrus, and honeysuckle notes. A medium-plus finish. At only … Read more
Wednesday Wine Reviews with @Sam_WineTeacher 2022 Viognier (The Y Series) Yalumba South Australia, Australia $17.99 Yalumba is a family run winery that has been in operation since 1849. This vegan wine was made with minimal intervention and wild yeast fermentation. Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. The nose is fresh and fruity with aromas of lime, … Read more
In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am going to include a new one that will appear from time to time. I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’. It will be similar to the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines … Read more
2020 Tender Summer Reserve (White Blend) Tender Hope West Kelowna $28.00 Yellow straw with medium intensity. Aromas of grapefruit, white flowers, petroleum, crisp green apple, lime, peach, and steely notes. With a nose like that, you just know Riesling leads this blend (75%) followed by Roussanne (20%) and Chardonnay (5%). Good balance and full body. … Read more
2023 Pinot Gris (Anarchy) Mayhem Okanagan Falls $25.32 Golden yellow with medium intensity. Honeysuckle, apple, pear, floral, butterscotch and butterscotch on the nose. Very good balance with a creamy texture. Well-integrated flavours on the palate including honey, lemon, lime, pineapple, apple, and a light hint of ginger. A medium-long finish. This is an impressive Pinot … Read more
2022 Pinot Gris (Vig) Roche Penticton, BC $24.00 Label designed by Marina Billinghurst. This wine was organically farmed and fermented in stainless steel. Straw coloured with medium-minus intensity. Aromas of lime, minerality, melon, apple, pear peel, honeysuckle, and green apple on the nose. Good balance. Bright on the palate with integrated flavours that echo the … Read more
More and more people are realizing the benefits of holding on to some of their wines.
2020 Sauvignon Blanc Wild Goose Okanagan Falls, BC $21.79 Golden yellow with medium-minus intensity. Grapefruit, grass, honey, Granny Smith apple, gunflint, lemon, and melon on the nose. Good balance. Pleasing on the palate with flavours echoing the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. 90 Points 2020 Rotberger Intrigue Lake Country, BC $21.00 What an absolute … Read more