The third and final day of the International Wine & Food Society Vancouver Branch 2022 Wine Tour of South Okanagan on May 29, 2022 is a memorable one. Early 9:30 am Sunday first stop was at MOON CURSER VINEYARDS in Osoyoos warmly greeted by early riser owner Chris Tolley. Check out here your scribe’s earlier posting of March 29, 2021 shining a spotlight on this exciting winery with such a diverse portfolio of top quality wines. Their dedicated work in finding success by producing so many different less known grape varieties is truly admirable. Their current wine release has 18 different ones listed on it but some are Wine Club Exclusives. They continue to receive all sorts of awards recognition the latest being led by Double Gold @allcanadawine for unique Touriga Nacional 2020 and Golds for Arneis 2021, Malbec 2020, & Tannat 2018. We tasted 6:

MOONLIT 2021 Frizzante from 100% Viognier is rare picked early for higher acidity shows light 11.5 abv & refreshing with granny smith apple, kiwi, and notes of orange zest.

ROUSSANNE MARSANNE 2021 Grown on Osoyoos East Bench has fresh 13.9 abv floral citrus lime chamomile clove and lees stirring with some oak. Enjoy now or later when a richer texture feel develops.

CARMENERE 2020 Can be difficult to ripen and shows better blackberries, lilacs, and white pepper in hotter years like this intriguing 2020 at 14.1 abv.

SYRAH 2020 This big seller is dark rich & peppery with both blueberries and blackberries lush and powerful at 14.7 abv.

MALBEC 2020 Elegant & delicious here with notes of cinnamon, cocoa, espresso, and mocha at 14.5 abv. Thin skinned grape nonetheless gives an intense expression in the resulting wine.

DEAD OF NIGHT 2020 Flagship unique blend of Syrah & Tannat is bold 14.8 but rich and worth cellaring. Recommend with BBQ.

RAINMAKER the estate project of some 27 acres by proprietor Kim Pullen on Black Sage Road in Oliver BC was our second visit. All gravity flow and layout organized well with no pumps or hoses. Tried 6 of their wines with experienced winemaker from SW France Caroline Schaller:

SPARKLER THE PERFORMER 2020 Charmat method of mostly Chardonnay mixed with Gewurztraminer & Viognier

VIOGNIER 2019 Two different ones RAINMAKER VINEYARD vibrant acidity 6 months French oak & RATTLESNAKE VINEYARD richer caramel spends 9.

CHARDONNAY THE CRAFTMAN 2019 Full “sweet” caramel notes from 9 months in French oak

SYRAH 75% VIOGNIER 25% THE MODERNIST 2018 Aromatics – their idea of a “before dinner” red wine 

MERLOT SECOND CHAPTER 2017 Planted 2005 in the warm sheltered Rattlesnake vineyard on Golden Mile and produced since 2009. Big rich intense 14.9 abv regular price $40 (same for all reds) on sale presently less 30% for a case. 

MERLOT 65% CABERNET 35% THE SOCIALITE 2018  Big Red Bordeaux Blend at 14.5 abv spending 20 months in French oak.

Our final winery visit was the “piece de resistance” with an extensive tour, tasting, and outstanding lunch at PHANTOM CREEK ESTATES on the Black Sage Bench. The entrance into a most special place is noted by the welcoming exquisite two angels tall sculpture by Wu Ching Ju on our arrival. The Estate vineyards started in 1977 as the Becker Project are cleverly guided by Olivier Humbrecht MW organic/biodynamic master from Alsace. The winery founded by Richter Bai is a spectacular showpiece including the finest of everything from the 22 Austrian custom-made best Franz Stockinger (built a second plant to fulfill this remarkable order) oak casks to the beautifully crafted Dale Chihuly mouth-blown glass of 270 pieces chandelier in the Level One tasting room. Their amazing capable team also includes Director of Winemaking globally experienced Mark Beringer, and new attentive General Manager Bill Lui (also has One Faith Vineyards).

Reception was in the interesting History Room with framed soil profiles worth studying of their 4 different vineyard terroirs: Kobau, Evernden Spring, Becker, and Phantom Creek sipping 2019 VIOGNIER only 360 cases. It is from Kobau (gravel with cool afternoons) on the Golden Mile Bench using both stainless & oak in a fresh perfumed elegant textured style showing to advantage in the those classy German Stolzle Lausitz perfect glasses. Tasted 5 more wines:

RIESLING Estate 2019  $33 On elevated SW slopes in Okanagan Falls it is a salute to Alsace with the wonderful vibrant balanced mouth feel.

CHARDONNAY Small Lots Similkameen 2020 $48 Hot days cool nights for 16 Barrels fermented full cluster purchased grapes with partial malolactic fermentation shows strong fruit forward flavours at sensible 12.9 abv with some further development expected as it ages.

KOBAU CUVEE 2018 $80 From 2005 plantings on Golden Mile Bench of 45+ Merlot (savoury bramble), 35 Cab Franc (herbal spices + elegance), 19.5 Syrah (darker assertive fruit) co-fermented with Viognier at 14 abv. Spent 21 months in barrels of 45% new oak. Like the open raspberry violets aromas.

BECKER CUVEE 2016 $70 Merlot dominant Bordeaux blend showing success from late ripening of older vines with Cab Franc adding freshness at 14.5 abv with expressive interesting earthy almost mushroomy bouquet developing.

PHANTOM CREEK CUVEE 2018 $150 (Magnums $300) Best expression of their Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) dominant blend with Petite Verdot, Malbec, Cab Franc & Syrah for 21 months in 65% new French oak is powerful 14.5 abv has minty almost eucalyptus notes with bramble herbal blackberries and black pepper (more than bell pepper) and is a promising unique standard of what top Okanagan reds are capable of producing for cellaring.

Lunch was a tour-de-force culinary treat by talented Chef Alessa Valdez and her skilled brigade using local ingedients where possible to match the stellar wines produced. Ambitious lunch menu of excellent inspired choices including as shown artistic presentations of shaved root salad, killer burrata course, Halibut, and Duck Confit. Where are those new Michelin Guide investigators for Toronto when there is a worthy 3 star award Canadian winner right here in the Okanagan BC waiting to be crowned?

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Question: What is the name of the largest grape variety?

Answer: That would be KYOHO. It is a very dark large round plum size flavourful eating grape developed in 1937. It is inspired from Mt. Fuji and means “giant mountain grape.” Native to Japan but now cultivated in several places including California, Chile, China, and Korea. Like Concord grapes they have proven to be more successful for eating and jams than for making a “grapey” wine.

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The second day of the International Wine & Food Society Vancouver Branch 2022 Wine Tour was a wonderful day filled with 5 interesting winery visits in the South Okanagan. Note that this is a warmer region where temperatures over 10C (50F) during the growing season results in Growing Degree Days as shown in Osoyoos at 1556 (Similkameen 1519) highest of 16 listed. 

1. CULMINA FAMILY ESTATE WINERY

Culmina is located on the important Golden Mile Bench on the west side of the Valley just south of Oliver, British Columbia. Managed by Winemaker & Vigneron Jean-Marc Enixon the 2021 vintage is their first to be certified 100% Organic. Our visit was superbly organized by personable Estate Manager Maryke Vandermarel as a classy sit down guided tasting in the fermentation room showing 7 excellent wines:

UNICUS 2020 $29 is the increasingly popular 100% Gruner Veltliner planted in 2011 on the high elevation Margaret’s Bench utilizing lower yields for concentration and balance.

DILEMMA 2017 $31 is their fresh acidity Chardonnay from Margaret’s Bench.

NATURAL MALBEC No. 016 2021 $32 from Arise Bench in neutral oak.

MALBEC 2016 $39 Arise Bench all French oak (17% new) lovely cool fruit.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 $40 Late picked fully mature grapes Nov. 5-7.

HYPOTHESIS 2016 $46 First year using all 5 Bordeaux varieties picked at optimal times up to Petit Verdot on Nov. 11.

ORANGE WINE GEWURZ 2020 $25 Spent 67 days on skins. Dried apricots.

2. CHECKMATE ARTISANAL WINERY

What an amazing showcase special treat started in 2012 (now with a brand new spectacular winery) by respected Anthony Von Mandl that is producing remarkable top end outstanding Chardonnay and Merlot. Jackson planned our visit as an insightful knowledge filled personalized tasting experience of 5 wines:

ATTACK CHARDONNY 2015 $115 – From Jagged Rock & Border Vista Vineyard made only in 1200 litre puncheons “foudre” in a “Chablis-like” style with mineral spices and zesty finishing lift

QUEEN’S ADVANTAGE CHARDONNAY 2018 $95 – From old vines Combret Vineyard planted in 1973 on Golden Mile Bench of deep rocky calcium carbonate soils is a full richer rounder beautifully textured style.

KNIGHT’S CHALLENGE CHARDONNAY 2017 $95 – From Sunset Vineyard on Black Sage Bench with hotter sunny afternoons picked earlier with less hang time results in a more oaky vanilla classic rich powerful statement.

Your scribe has recently tasted CAPTURE CHARDONNAY 2018 $95 from Border Vista Vineyard of leaner sandy soils on the USA border with layered length of flavours. Also the highly celebrated complex LITTLE PAWN CHARDONNAY $110 (100 points 2015, 2016, and 2018) from Jagged Rock Vineyard using 83% wild yeast fermentation in 50% new French oak for 16 months.

SILENT BISHOP MERLOT 2017 $95 from Osoyoos West Bench, Golden Mile Bench, and Oliver North all cooler regions with less sun. Regions plus lighter year produces fresher bright floral red fruits in an earthy fruit forward styling.

END GAME MERLOT 2018 $95 from Black Sage Bench & Osoyoos East shows a fuller riper richer robust spice from a warmer year with more cellaring potential.

3. TINHORN CREEK VINEYARDS

Founded in 1993 by Sandra Oldfield and her team it was developed over time with some very good wines. Early emphasis on Merlot and insightful growing of Cab Franc (no Cab Sauv difficult to ripen) with stellar Oldfield Series of best selection. Good wine list of older vintages and newer successes on wine list at MIRADORO restaurant there. Great team of Manny Ferreira Restaurateur, Jeff Van Geest Executive Chef (lots of foraged wild foods), and Sam Lymbery GM served tasty lunch of delicious minestrone bean soup and pork/beef meatball with beautiful freshly picked greens all hit the spot!

4. LE VIEUX PIN

Excellent wines here and at sister winery LaStella with Winemaker/Viticulturist Severine Pinte. Like her minimalist philosophy that “wine is made in the vineyard”. Educational 4 soils samples of Stagg’s, Lumeno, La Feuille d’Or/Mercier and Le Grand Pin. See photo for more details. Severine on 2021: “Despite the challenges mother nature threw at us with the heat dome in late June and forest fires during the summer, the 2021 wines are tasting delicious. Whites have some tension, lots of flavours and concentration. The rose wines are really fruity and have a nice backbone of natural acidity. The reds, while maturing slower for some of the varieties, are showing nice full ripe tannins and lots of vibrant fruits.” Tasted 5 wines:

ROUSSANNE 2017 Fantastic texture and depth at 13.6 abv and only 50 cases

AVA 2021 $35 Roussanne Viognier Marsanne Blend 53/30/17 at 14.4 

SYRAH 2020 $35 Only 4 tons/acre 97.5% Syrah & 2.5% Viognier

SYRAH CUVEE VIOLETTE 2017 99.5 Syrah & .5 Viognier 1453 cases 13.4

EQUINOXE SYRAH 2019 $100. 97 Syrah & 3% Viognier 14.5 19 months French oak is an impressive selection of best barrels.

5. BARTIER BROS.

So experienced knowledgeable mentor Michael Bartier has their special Cerqueira Vineyard on the Black Sage Terrace in Oliver BC and had just returned late afternoon from manually spraying all his vineyards. Wines:

SPARKLING BRUT Traditional Method $34.99 All Chardonnay 100 cases

GRUNER VELTLINER 2021 $29.99 Fresh lovely drinking limited to Club members

SEMILLON  2021 $22.99 Aged 7 months in stainless Vibrant & Complex. Written up this year here compared to Tyrrell Vat 1 from Hunter in Australia.

ROSE 2021 $18.99 Gewurz Chard Pinot Gris Syrah blend 41/39/25/4

ORCHARD ROW 2019 $39.99 Cab Franc, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Syrah 47/24/24/5 blend 14 months neutral French oak.

Surprise added benefit to see Ingo Grady and Patti of Hermit Wine Co. now moved to the South Okanagan and helping out Michael too. He showed us his excellent 2018 RMX blend of Malbec, Mouvedre and Syrah/ Viognier red at 14.5 drinking wonderfully now.

Wonderful dinner to end our day at CONVIVIA BISTRO CUISINE by owners Johanne Dupont & Charles Perrutel. With food the Bartier Bros. 2019 Syrah paired so well enhancing our lamb shank!

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Question: Do you know a wine made out of an identical grape as Chardonnay but going by a different name?

Answer: Yes a few including my fav “Beaunois” for Chardonnay in Chablis. However believe the one you are searching for is “Morillon”.  It is the local name in Styria for Chardonnay. Lots of regional ones there including “Muschelkalk”. Check some top producers out and let us know what you think.

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The Vancouver Branch of The International Wine & Food Society held their insightful Annual Wine Tour of the Okanagan organized superbly by knowledgeable member Larry Burr for three full days May 27-29, 2022. This time the focus was on Similkameen & South Okanagan limited to 16 enthusiastic members in a Top Cat Tours van, staying at Watermark Resort, and visiting 12 key wineries. Lots of educational benefits plus camaraderie fun with a few highlights noted from your scribe as follows:

DAY 1: The Similkameen Valley in Southern BC west of Osoyoos has hot dry very windy conditions at higher altitude (400-480 metres) with 633+ acres planted by 15 wineries (6% BC vineyard acreage). Steep mountain walls background vineyards with diverse soils ranging from rich sandy loam to gravel & large granite rocks. Also growing there lots of fruits and vegetables with two towns of Keremeos named “Fruit Stand Capital of Canada” and Cawston the “Organic Farming Capital of Canada.” We visited four wineries:

1. VANESSA VINEYARD: Legendary winemaker Howard Soon (only 2 wineries over 42 year of experience) with Kristi Short Tasting Room Manager showed us their “carved from stone, fueled by sun, a vineyard like no other” in a wind tunnel with rows of rocks everywhere advising that “sometimes a bear comes down the steep hill to enjoy their juicy Syrah grapes”.

Sampled 5 wines:

(a) 2021 V Series: new white blend 12 abv 70% Semillon & 30% Riesling shows interesting ripe smooth textures;
(b) 2021 Rose: 2/3 Syrah & 1/3 Merlot very pale pink but dry and acid balanced with only 250 cases at 14.1 abv;
(c) 2018 Syrah: First of three powerful reds all from 100% Estate grown fruit and all long aging in American & French oak. 27 barrels (co-fermented with Viognier) 20 months open spicy enticing aromas. Full peppery statement 15.2 abv;
(d) 2018 Right Bank: Merlot-dominant 24 barrels served decanted displaying unique “sagebrush” terroir 15 abv;
(e) 2018 Meritage: Cabernet-dominant 31 barrels Big rich and loaded but needs time. Getting up there at 15.6 abv

2. OROFINO VINEYARDS: Owners John & Virginia Weber are “Purveyors of Premium Wine” focusing on wines from vineyard specific sites to show the terroir with all reds unfiltered and unfined.

(a) 2021 Rose: Utilizes 12 hour skin contact on Cab Franc. Stylish. The heat dome of 2021 has worked well in ripening their fruit.
(b) 2020 Home Vineyard Pinot Noir has substance “very waxy spicy riper notes” using 5 clones. John says the 2020 reds were cooler than 2019 but with more aromatics.
(c) 2020 Syrah has “white pepper” and they have planted 6 more acres at the top of Passion Pit (as no longer have access to Scout vineyard fruit).
(d) Riesling – Like their direction here with 3 distinct ones produced from dry typical “zippy” Clone 239, richer sweeter balanced old vines, and Clone 21B Weis Clone from Mosel. Check out their Rieslings!

LUNCH AT ROW FOURTEEN RESTAURANT AT KLIPPERS: Admire everything about this outstanding place. Even a welcoming turban squash at reception desk. Killer food prepared by talented Chef Derek Gray and awesome brigade. Look at the radishes with honey; mushroom broth, dashi & leek oil; freshly baked hot whole wheat farmer’s bread with smoked butter sea salt & black pepper; fresh asparagus leek sabayon parsley garlic cheese pangrattato; oyster mushroom frittata, and potato gnocchi. Added treat was tasting of 5 Untangled Craft Ciders:

(a) Newton – Mostly dry Spartan Apples with a touch of strawberry
(b) Tangled – Off dry apple
(c) Blue Pear – Semi-sweet blueberry, pear & apple
(d) Black Plum Basil – Off dry apple, plum, & basil
(e) Lavender – Brand new about to be released. Unbelievably fragrant with apple sauce jumping out of the glass. My fav.

3. CLOS DU SOLEIL: Bordeaux-inspired winery under winemaker & managing director Michael Clark. Impressive selection of 11 wines on their chart as shown. 2020 Capella Classy blend of 77 SB 7 23 Semillon Wild ferment in Stainless & 500 litre puncheons 9 months lees with batonnage 100% malo gives rich creamy textured wine Feature tasting compared two vintages of their Signature blend:

2019: 42 Merlot, 31 CS, 13 Malbec, 10 CF, 4 PV Young vibrant quality with all 5 Bordeaux grapes. Patience.
2013: 51 Merlot, 34 CS, 2 Malbec, 11 CF, 2 PV Evolving well with clean cool balanced velvety textures. Well done. Expecting 2021 to be their highest yielding total crop ever.

4. CORCELETTES ESTATE WINERY: Managing Partners Charlie & Jesce Baessler on the old Herder site since 2013 are showing fantastic abilities as quality conscientious growers selecting the right sites on stemwinder soils to grow the right varieties there. Amazing vineyard specialists!

(a) 2020 Chardonnay 13.5 French oak 11 barrels (45% new) fermented sure lie batonnage with harvest by hand, unfined unfiltered. Advise “approachable now on release or cellar 2-8 years” Wide window.
(b) 2021 Rose 12.5 70 Pinot Noir & 30 Syrah Freshness floral raspberry & grapefruit.
(c) 2019 Syrah 13.5 $32.90 680 cases Two Estate soils including Rocky Ridge sandy loam in 90% French & 10 American for 16 months, Will co-ferment Viognier for even deeper colour starting in 2020.
(d) 2020 Pinot Noir Reserve 14 (Micro Lot Series) $39.90 110 cases Elegant earthy stylish all 115 clone “Passion, Precision, Purpose”
(e) 2019 Talus Red 14.5 $51.90 using “Talus slides of mixed earth and broken stone” blending 45 Merlot, 28 Cab Franc, 23 Cab Sauv 4 Malbec, and 2 Petit Verdot (back label adds up to 102% but probably rounding up).

DINNER AT 15 PARK BISTRO WATERMARK: Organizer Larry cleverly arranged for us to pre-order our meals which worked efficiently. Also compliments to Larry on letting each guest order his or her own choice for wine by the glass. Smart idea allowing you to get what you actually wanted to pair with your course. The food was a delightful surprise highlighted by an artistic hummus with naan starter & Yarrow Farms duck breast, and Roberto’s freshly made fruit gelato and sorbetto.

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