2007 Tinhorn Creek Merlot – Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

I served Tinhorn Creek’s ’07 South Okanagan Valley Merlot with our grilled hamburgers, homemade rosemary-and-olive-oil tossed chips and coleslaw. On the nose the wine was floral and fruity, with a dusty undertone. On the palate, flavors of berries, dark cherries, and a little cocoa worked well with the smoky goodness of the burgers and savory potatoes. While not terribly complex, this wine is juicy, bright and well balanced. To read more about the wines Kathleen drinks, visit her blog Between the Vines

NV Sumac Ridge Sparkling Rosé – Okanagan Valley, BC

A blend of 51% Pinot Noir, 30% Gamay Noir, and 19% Ehrenfelser—is a fresh and sassy sparkler, with lots of citrus and berry flavours and a frothy mousse that shouts fun! Each sip left my palate clean and ready for more smoked salmon, cheeses and crunchy fresh veggies with dip. While there certainly was a lot of fruitiness, I didn’t get a sense of sweetness with this wine. To read more about this wine, visit Kathleen’s blog post on Between the Vines.

NV Sumac Ridge Sparking Gewürztraminer – Okanagan Valley, BC

When first poured, the wine shared aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, along with floral and honey notes and an exotic spiciness. The palate, however, didn’t produce what my nose told me to expect. At all. I got some floral, spice, and citrus on the palate, but the elements didn’t come together. I found its sweetness cloying, not in harmony with its acidity and fruit. To read more about this wine, visit Kathleen’s blog post on Between the Vines.

2007 Rollingdale La Droite – Okanagan Valley, BC

This wine is a red-wine blend made up of 94% Merlot, with the balance comprised of Cabernet sauvignon (3.8%), Malbec (2%), and Cabernet franc (0.2%). As soon as I brought this wine to my nose, I started enjoying it: aromas of red fruit, wet stones and spice. On the palate I found juicy berries, ripe cherries, plums and spice. The wine filled my mouth with a roundness that wasn’t the least bit “mushy”—the acidity made the wine bright and the gentle tannins gave it structure. And boy did it go well with the chicken pot pie. Just one caution: drink it when you pour it. To read more about this wine, visit Kathleen’s blog post on Between the Vines.

It’s All about Trust: Insight and Analysis From a Boutique Wine Retailer

As a part-time manager of a wine retail shop in British Columbia, and a full-time marketer, Paul Rickett is bringing a level of analysis to his business and providing interesting results that apply to both wine consumers and retailers at-large in North America. In a word, it’s all about “trust.”

2008 Strut Red Over Heels, Okanagan, British Columbia

I found plums, blackberries, black olives, and spice on the nose, with plums and ripe cherries on the palate. This simple, pleasant wine is value priced and ready to drink now. It worked just fine with tonight’s meat loaf and would probably match up with any meat dish that wasn’t too rare or rich. Read Kathleen’s full review on her blog Between the Vines

2008 Strut Risqué Rosé, Okanagan, British Columbia

The strawberry and banana penny candy on the nose is a sure give away of the Gamay component of this wine. The rest of it—aromas and flavours of strawberries, sour cherries, and rhubarb—work together for an enjoyable value-priced BC rosé. Juicy and nicely balanced, I’d buy this one again. Read Kathleen’s full review on her blog Between the Vines

2008 Strut Well-Heeled White, Okanagan, British Columbia

Lots of tropical fruit and citrus on both the nose and the palate with this entry-level white wine. For the price, it will serve perfectly as that Tuesday-after-work patio wine. And, when someone wants to add ice cubes in the glass or mix it with soda, you won’t flip out. Read Kathleen’s full review on her blog Between the Vines

Sumac Ridge Tribute “Silver” Sparkling Wine

One can be content with the silver, in this case. It is a pleasant, crisp traditional method sparkling wine, made from 100% chardonnay. Lemon and citrus aromas, with a touch of toasted bread, on the nose, and apple and a touch of pear on the palate, with plenty of lively bubbles to give it a true sense of celebration. Not terribly complex, but neat and well-made enough to keep you smiling through the final hockey game – where silver, however, will not keep Canadians content.

Harvest Report: Okanagan Valley

This year saw a late spring and bud break followed by a long and hot summer throughout the Okanagan that led to one of the best post-veraison ripening periods the Valley has ever experienced.