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A Guide to the Okanagan WIne Industry - The Most Complete Guide of Okanagan, Similkameen and Shuswap Wineries.

Okanagan cracks wine destination list

File Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

by Castanet Staff - Story: 49870
Sep 30, 2009 / 3:30 pm

The Okanagan Valley has another reason to 'Pop Its Cork.'

TripAdvisor, an online travel website, has named the Okanagan Valley one of the top 10 wine destinations in North America.

The survey was taken by more than 1,000 Americans, 48 per cent of whom indicated they planned to visit a vineyard this year.

"As the only Canadian wine region on this list, this is a true badge of honour for the Okanagan Valley and its cities," says Nancy Cameron, CEO of Tourism Kelowna.

"TripAdvisor is a well-regarded information website with reviews of destinations from travellers."

In the survey, the Okanagan Valley ranks sixth.

"The TripAdvisor accolade comes on the heels of some significant editorials about the Okanagan Valley in publications such as Sunset Magazine and Endless Vacation Magazine," says Kelly Reid from Penticton and Wine Country Tourism.

"Furthermore, it promotes movement throughout the Okanagan, which is a benefit to the players in the valley-wide tourism industry."

The Napa Valley and Sonoma wine regions of California topped the list.

The survey comes out as the Okanagan Valley is set to host its 29th annual Fall Wine Festival, October 1 to 11.

Wine Country Real Estate

Looking for a Winery or Vineyard property? Bo has all the connections with the industry and resources to introduce you to all available properties and help you make an informed decision.

Looking for a wine country home, a resort property or a country acreage? Bo can help you find the right property for you, throughout the Okanagan Valley.

Thinking of selling? Call Bo to discuss how to get the best results, fast!

Bo Knows Vinears,Bo Knows Wines and Bo Knows Okanagan Real Estate. If you're looking for vineyard or winery property, shouldn't you know Bo?

Okanagan Wineries, Okanagan Wine Links and Bo's Personal WIne Blog

The most complete guide for wineries in the Okanagn, Shuswap and Similkameen Valleys you will find anywhere! There are also a lot of helpful links to help you get acquainted with the Okanagn wines and wine in genera. There are also my picks of my personal favourite wines and wineries, as well as my observations on wine and the wine industry, as a consumer.

Wine Tastings

BC Liquor Stores
Anthony Gismondi
Discover Wines (one of my favourite wine shops)
Metro Liquor (another good one)

Wine Links

BC Wine Institute
Wineries of BC
Wine Guide of the Okanagan Valley
Okanagan Wine Club
Joie

Aces Wine

Nature deals some fine cards to the Okanagan's vineyards.

But perfect grapes - like perfect poker hands - are rare indeed.

ACES' Holger Clausen holds the cards: he knows how and where to source the Valley's best varietals. As the Okanagan's preeminent independent harvester, his knowledge of the Valley's terroir - and his relationships with growers - is without parallel.

Bo's Okanagan, Similkameen and Shuswap Winery Guide

BC is Years Ahead of Ontario Wineries

The Okanagan Sunday, January 19, 2003 - Julianna Hayes

The first bottle that kindled my interest in Canadian wine did not originate in B.C., it came from Ontario.

It was 1990 and I was on a bicycle tour of the Niagara region with a couple of friends. Our third stop was this tiny winery called Marynissen Estates which had just opened its doors that year. The wineshop attendant, who could have well been the proprietor John Marynissen himself, poured us a taste of the 1989 chardonnay of which he was clearly proud. One taste and I was hooked. I bought four bottles and drank them within the next two weeks. Little did I know that same wine would go on to win best of show and best vinifera at the American Wine Society competition that fall. To me it was simply a great wine.

I can't recall how that wine tasted now. But the impression it left is the reason I'm writing these columns today. I knew then that despite less than stellar beginnings, the Canadian wine industry had the stuff needed to compete with the big boys. Much has changed since, in both BC and Ontario. The industry locally has grown exponentially. In Ontario, the development in the last decade has also been notable, but the pace has been much slower than here, it seems. I attended a wine seminar on Ontario wines at Whistler's Cornucopia wine festival. It had been some time since I had the opportunity to sample a broad selection of Eastern wine, and well, there are few available locally.

The seminar was led by David Hulley, a wine consultant, lecturer and oenologist from Ontario. When asked if Ontarians embrace the local industry, Hulley said, "If we had the support there you have here, there would be multi-millionaires all over the place."

The Ontario wine industry is the largest in Canada with more than 90 wineries producing $338 million worth of product off of 12,000 acres of grapes (we have about 6,000 acres planted here). Yet producers have had a heck of a time convincing consumers, restaurateurs and even their own liquor board of the value and merit of their wines.

Hulley says the wine drinking public in Ontario is still stuck on European, U.S. and Australian wines. Many top-end restaurants don't list a single Ontario wine. Local producers can certainly attest to how important the restaurant market is to their business.

Perhaps the biggest challenge eastern winemakers have is the distribution system. It's not so hot here, but in Ontario it's downright appalling.

There are no VQA stores or privately operated beer and wine shops. Outside their own winery stores, distribution of local wines is solely in the hands of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

The monopoly held by the LCBO is mind-blowing. It is the largest single buyer of wine in the world. And while the LCBO does purchase and promote Ontario wines in a respectable fashion, getting a product listed within a system that huge is arduous. Hulley says Ontario producers view BC's system of VQA shops, like the ones in the Wine Museum in Kelowna and the Wine Information Center in Penticton, as revolutionary.

They applaud it as a sensible distribution method that both embraces and fosters the industry, while making local wines accessible to consumers. Unfortunately, Ontarians are a long way from putting anything similar into place, Hulley says.

The Okanagan Wine Industry

I have to confess! I'm a wine guy. For years I have enjoyed traveling to different parts of the world, visiting wineries and tasting wines, and bringing a few back home with me. I have to admit that a number of years ago, I wouldn't have considered touring and tasting at BC wineries. Now, I want to tell the world about them!

What happened to change my mind? Up to about 1986, the BC wine industry lived in a protective cocoon of tariff protection. Their wines were mediocre, at best, made from a number of lesser grape varieties.

About that time, the North American Free Trade Agreement came along and the protective tariffs were removed. "We'll go out of business!" cried the wineries, at the time. Instead, they adapted, learned to make world-class wines, and many new wineries have come into existence. Traditional high quality vinifera grape varieties from around the world are being cultivated, with excellent results. Areas under cultivation have more than doubled during the last few years, and the wine industry is booming. The transformation is nothing short of amazing!

I'm pleased to tell you that the BC Wine Industry is producing excellent wine and visiting wineries, touring and tasting their wines and learning about the different Okanagan wines is a real treat! If you haven't tried it yet, there's no time to start like the present.

Every year there are more new wineries and the wines and grapes just get better and better. The scenery is breathtaking every where you go there is a new visual treat to behold. There are new restaurants, new accommodations and other attractions. You owe it to yourself to discover Okanagan wne country!

- Bo

Wine Appreciation

The enjoyment of wine is a very personal thing. You don't have to be an expert, you just need to trust your own taste. Each time you taste a new wine your awareness of the character and subtle differences will be expanded. Tasting wine is like a sport, the more you practice the better you become. To enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of wine, follow the five simple steps below:

Look

The first step is to hold the glass by the stem and look through the wine against a white back-ground to enjoy the true color. The wine should be clear, not hazy or cloudy. White wines range in color from a very faint almost clear to a golden yellow. Red wines range in color from a dark,intense red to a very light pale red.

Swirl

To get the full aroma of the wine, fill a large wine glass halfway and swirl the wine around in the glass. This releases the aromas to the the top of the glass.

Smell

Inhale and try to identify what you smell. Do you smell fruit or spices? Does it remind you of mom's apple pie or a cobblestone street after a rainfall? You might find hints of familiar smells including - tobacco, citrus, apple, chocolate, plums, pineapple, flowers or raspberries. While contemplating the smell, look at the wine and notice whether it's thick or thin, whether the color is bright or mellow or whether it's clear or hazy.

Taste

Roll the wine around in your mouth to reach all of the taste buds. Then, breathe air through your lips to bring up the aromas. If the wine makes you pucker, it may be a little tart (high in acids) or tannic (think dry like banana skins and tea leaves): if it feels hot and burns a little, it may have high alcohol content; if none of these elements overwhelms you, it is very likely well-balanced. Notice how it feels in your mouth, this is called the texture.

Spit

It sounds funny and may make you a little uncomfortable, but if you are tasting several wines it is essential to spit. It provides you with the opportunity to taste several wines in one sitting. If you are just trying a few go ahead and swallow. A wine that lingers in your mouth and throat after you have spit is a sign of good length and body.

New Wineries and Bo's Wine Picks

I don't pretend to be a connoisieur - just someone who really appreciates and enjoys wine. I know what I like, and many of my friends appreciate my suggestions about wine so I decided to add some picks of wines and information on some new wineries I have visited recently. Here are a few wines I have sampled lately and added to my collection.

New Wineries

Here are a few new or newer wineries I have been impressed with and some of my picks from each

South Okangan:

Twisted Tree: There are a few wines that Twisted Tree mkes tht I was impessed with. Unfortunately, many of them are sold out at this time but you should look for them next year.
2006 Six Vines - This red wine is made from the five main Bordeaux grapes, Cabernet Cauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and one unique twist - Carménère - one of he original Bordeaux grapes (also known there as Grand Vidure). Carménère disapeared from France after the philloxera outbreak in the 1880's but was recently rediscovered in Chile, through DNA testing. It was one of the original 6 Bordeaux red grapes. This is the only wine I am aware of that uses all 6. It's drinking well now but worth putting away.
2007 Viogner Roussanne: This wine is a Rhone style white made of 48% Viognier, 44% Roussanne and 8% Marsanne. There are apricots & honey on the nose and peaces, tropical fruits and floral notes on the palate. Definitely worthwhile so get on the email list!
2007 Tempranilo: I haven't tried this wine but I will, just for the novelty of it. It's the first wine of this Spanish variety I am aware of, in BC. Here's what Twisted Tree has to say about it: This wine was matured in French barriques, and has a nose of dark chocolate, sweet leather and dried flowers. The palate follows the nose, but also shows hints of red and black cherry, cloves and dried spices. This is a medium bodied, elegant wine that may be paired with a range of foods, from the subtle to the more robust.

Le Vieux Pin: One of my new favourite BC wineries, Le Vieux Pin is not inexpensive, but the wines are worth it. 2008 was the second year they offered their wines for sale. They utilize organic and sustainable methods in their winemaking.
Apogee Merlot 2006: Definitely not for the faint of heart, at $65 per bottle, this is one of the best Canadian wines I have tasted. Cropped at only 1 3/4 tons per acre, this wine is dense, concentrated and complex. Definitely worth aging but you can drink it now if you are willng to decant it before serving.
Belle Pinot Noir 2005: Still available, this is a Pinot Noir for those who like bold, intense Pinot Noirs (as I do). Again, ths is an ageworthy wine that will pay ou if you are patient. To quote Le Vieux Pin: "This is a Pinot Noir for Syrah lovers."
Vaila Pinot Noir Rose 2007: Vaila is made from free run Pinot Noir juice, without skin contact. It is a delightul summer wine. Unfortunately not available until the next release.
Céleste Chardonnay 2007: Unfortunately, the 2007 Céleste Chardonnay is not available, as the entire production was bought by the Glowbal Restaurant Group of Vancouver. However, I bought the 2006 and can heartily rcommend it to anyone who is dining at one of Glowbal's restaurants (if they still have it!). This wine is made from 25 year old Chardonnay/Musque clone vines. Le Vieux Pin notes read, as follows: "The nose sings with pear, orange blossom, and flowers with hints of roasted hazelnuts. The full and ripe mouthfeel, and big mid palate with great acidity leads to an unreal finish."

Kelowna Area:

Kalala Organic Estate Winery: Kalala is a brand new winery located in West Kelowna (formerly Westbank). 2008 marked the first relase of Kalala's wines. There were two that impressed me, in particular, and neither one broke the bank.
Pinot Noir 2006: Unfortunatley no longer availabe, this lighter bodied Pinot Noir would be a perfect companion for salmon. Lush and soft with black cherry, earthy and spicy aromas and lots of fruit on the palate.
Pinot Gris 2006: A balanced and complex style of Pinot Gris. Has pleasant herbal/spicy aromas with apple and tangerine flavours. Nice weight and acid balance to make this wine a good choice with richer "white wine foods" such as grilled poultry and sea foods.

Similkameen Valley:

Seven Stones Winery: Seven Stones is another new favourite of mine. Located on Highway 3, just east of Cawston, Seven Stones is situated in a ridge of soil that imparts its own unique spicy terroir character.
Syrah 2006: Another sold out wine - yet another reason to get your name on the email database to nsure you are made aware of new releases. The Syrah won a gold medal at the All Canadian Wine Championships, so others agree with me. The nose has a special smokiness that reminds me of bacon or smoked meat. Nice chocolate on the nose, as well and raspberry, pepper and that spiciness I mentioned on the palate.
Chardonnay 2007: Full of fruit both on the nose and in the mouth, this barrel fermented Chardonnay exhibits a classic buttery finish. Citrus fruits and green apple on the nose with pineapple, citrus & passion fruit on the palate. I'm enjoying mine!

Why Oak Works

And why it's not all the same

Oak has played a fundamental role in winemaking for centuries, first as a storage vessel, and more recently as a way to massage a wines texture and flavour. These two effects of oak aging have only been well understood for the better part of a century, and the general principles that govern their use are surprisingly simple.

There are three aspects of oak barrels and oak aging that are worth taking an in-depth look at. Today we will take a look at the different types of woods used to produce barrels for aging wine. The following emails will focus on both the seasoning and toasting of the wood used in the production of barrels, and their effect on the flavour and texture of wine.

Much of this discussion focuses on the difference between what is called French oak, the preferred types of oak around much of the world, and American oak. This is not to say that American Oak is a lesser oak, it simply impacts a wine differently. Wineries, very important ones at that, around the globe rely on the influence of American oak, so each email will also include a pair of specific recommendations to help you further your understanding of the nature of American Oak.