Finally, the warm weather has arrived in the Okanagan Valley and hopefully the rest of BC.  What this means is that now we can start wearing shorts and sandals but also it signals that it’s time for the vines to start their growth cycle.  Already buds have burst forth on numerous vineyards up and down the valley.  This is good news because it is on time for a change.  The past few years have seen a slow start and a difficult growing season.

Spring is my favourite time of the year.  Everything around us is signalling the warmer, longer days and comfortable evenings, allowing us the opportunity to play and socialize.  With this comes a slight change in the type of wines we buy and while big, hearty full-bodied reds hog the spotlight most of the year, white wines, those crisp, mouth-watering wines, are what give the wine universe its balance.

One of the images of spring ought to be that of a tall, elegant wine glass, cool moisture beading on its sides with golden liquid bubbles rising to the surface.  Sitting on the deck on a warm afternoon, waiting for the barbeque to warm up and watching the buzzing activities of nature’s stirring, one can ponder their place in the universe through a glass of sparkling wine.

A perfect choice would be the non-vintage See Ya Later Brut ($27), which is a produced in the traditional style of sparkling wine, fermented in the bottle much like the wines of the Champagne district of France.  Made from 100% Chardonnay fruit with a splash of Riesling, the wine is aged in the bottle for three years thereby offering complex, multi-layered aromas of toasted bread, apple, grapefruit, pineapple and honeydew melon, pear and peach.  The palate is fresh, lively, crisp and clean with toasted oak leading to creamy tropical and citrus fruit flavours with a citrus zestiness ending up with a racy finish.  Lots of depth and complexity in this wine, this is excellent with fresh oysters, smoked salmon, shellfish or simply enjoy on its own.

Every once in awhile a wine comes along that performs well above its price point.  The 2011 La Vuelta Syrah ($13) is just such a wine.  We paired this with grilled strip loins and it worked exceptionally well.  The wine showcases a deep ruby-red colour, floral aromas (violets), black berry, raspberry, black plum, figs, smoked sausage, leather, roasted mushrooms, spice (black pepper and cloves) and sun-dried tomato. With a velvety smooth texture, soft acidity and medium tannins, this is a VERY easy drinking red. This is definitely one wine to stock up on for summer grilling.

One of the easiest wines to enjoy on its own, the 2011 Arrowleaf Bacchus ($17) is once again the quintessential patio wine.  A cross of Riesling, Sylvaner, and Mueller-Thurgau, this varieyt produces delicious, aromatic wines with naturally low acidity yet beautifully balanced.  Look for aromas and flavours of crisp apple, grapefruit, ripe peach, nectarine, rose petal, and citrus.  Try this wine with Thai food or sushi.  Exceptional!!

Displaying a black deep crimson mauve colour with superb aromas of violets, cassis, vanilla and mocha, the 2009 Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($22) boasts mouth filling flavours of dark chocolate, cassis, spice and black pepper.  The finish has soft, velvety acidity, balanced by firm tannins followed by exceptionally long aftertaste of dark chocolate, violet infusions, blackcurrant and cedar.

An outstanding Barbera, the 2009 Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera d’Alba ($22.40) offers superb black cherry fruit mixed with hints of leather, tobacco, spice, roasted tomato skins, fresh almonds, chocolate and earthy notes.  A wine of extravagant richness as well as a complexity, it almost Medoc-like with the scent of lead pencil shavings.  A spicy, dense, fruity Barbera that can be drunk over the next decade.

A gold medal at the 2012 Chardonnay du Monde, the 2010 Sandhill Chardonnay ($20) is sourced from the spectacular Sandhill Family Estate vineyard in the southern Okanagan.  This wine is loaded with rich aromas of buttery Fuji apple, pear, pineapple, with spicy white pepper and a lush creamy palate.  The texture is rich and creamy with lots of tropical and orchard fruit flavours with spicy white pepper, nutmeg, vanilla and honey.  This is a rich style of Chardonnay, more in keeping with a Meursault.  The finish is crisp and clean with an almost Chablis-like minerality to it.

Finding a decent Pinot Noir is sometimes a hit and miss, such are the problems but to find one that really stands out is a Pinophiles dream come true.  The 2009 Veramonte Pinot Noir ($20) was one of the hits at the 2012 Vancouver International Wine Festival. The aromas are pure decadent pleasure with its rich cherry, raspberry, smoke leather, forest floor characteristics and subtle spicy oak.  The texture is pure Burgundian, soft, velvety and rich with a stunningly long, long finish.  Superb with rich meat/game dishes with mushroom-based sauces.

Upcoming Wine Events:

I can’t emphasize enough that the 18th Annual Okanagan Spring Wine Festival is right around the corner, running from April 29th until May 8th.  This ten-day festival offers everyone an opportunity to experience the finest of food and wine in the Okanagan.  And what a better way to announce the grape growing season than to hold a Festival during bud break!

Choose from an incredible 100 plus events throughout the Okanagan at a time of year when it is an absolute delight to savour spring in the warm sunshine.  The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival has been described as “one of Canada’s best small festivals” and it is no wonder that its success continues to grow.  Check out their website at www.owfs.com for a list of events and dinners or pick up a brochure at select wine shops.  See you there!!