I couldn't have picked a better week to be in the Okanagan I doubt there is a bad week during the summer. I had a great time with family and friends at my brother's wedding in Osoyoos. It was a tiny bit smoky for one day, and then it was amazing. I did get a chance to visit a few wineries, which I wouldn't have missed. From where I was staying in downtown Osoyoos, the Nk'Mip winery was about a five minute drive. I fell in love with their Riesling and I am happy to share it with all of you today. Another yummy Riesling comes from Gehringer Brothers another "must visit" BC VQA winery. These wines are fabulous and very, very affordable. Finally, last but not least is a very light, crisp and refreshing Vinho Verde from Portugal. All three wines are patio and picnic ready, just chill and sip.
NK'MIP
RIESLING 2012 (138297)
BC VQA
$17.99
My list of favourite BC wineries gets longer all the time. Nk'Mip is Canada's first Aboriginal-owned and operated winery. The name can be intimidating until you find out the correct way to say it - it is pronounced (In-ka-meep).
I first visited this winery in 2009 one of 19 wineries I visited on my five day whirlwind tour of the Okanagan. It was kind of like running a marathon. This time I had much more time to take in all that Nk'Mip has to offer. It has definitely grown since I was there last. It is located on 1200 acres of lakeside property in Canada's only pocket desert. Today, Nk'Mip is a full resort where you can take your family and enjoy all of what Osoyoos has to offer. Don't miss out on a visit to the Cultural Center before or after taking in the beautiful 18,000 square feet winery. They also have an underground pit house, traditional teepees and a sweat lodge as well as many walking trails with named vegetation.
Together winemaker Randy Picton, assistant winemaker Justin Hall and vineyard manager Sam Baptiste have used their vineyard knowledge and experience to create award-winning wines year over year. The label on this wine is designed by Osoyoos band member Linda Anderson and depicts pictographs located throughout the Okanagan Valley. The meaning behind the label is "flicker dream."
BC Wine expert and author, John Schreiner, awarded this Riesling 90 points out of a possible 100 points. This Riesling is distinctive as has lots of citrus fruit followed by strong minerality feel and taste chased by loads of acidity. Chilled after a long hot day is how I prefer this Riesling.
GEHRINGER BROTHERS
PRIVATE RESERVE RIESLING 2013 (347492)
BC VQA
$14.99
I have fond memories of tasting my first Gehringer wines after a long, hot hike up the mountainside.
Gehringer Brothers is located right in the heart of the Golden Mile along the southwest bench, and just south of the Wine Capital of Canada Oliver. The vineyards are located on high mountain slopes of the southwest bench which ensure the vines are free from frost.
The brothers' Walter and Gordon are part of a "select" group of BC owners and winemakers who are native British Columbians. However, they went to Europe and studied winemaking in West Germany. Returning home from their studies, the brothers purchased the land after much research and discussions with their father in 1981 and opened the winery in 1995.
The rest is history and they can be proud of the legacy they have going with consistently attaining VQA status and a growing list of awards for their lineup of 22 wines. The Wine Press Northwest described Gehringer "one of the finest white wine producers anywhere on the west coast."
Unlike the Riesling from Nk'Mip, this wine is really fruit forward and with less sharp acidity. I would consider this to be a medium-body Riesling with aromas of ripe peaches, melons and hints of honeysuckle. This Riesling really finishes off with a zing of citrus. Chill before serving.
GATO
VINHO VERDE (796201)
PORTUGAL
$10.99
What is Vinho Verde? It is a "green or young wine" produced in Portugal. This very clean, light and refreshing white wine is produced from Albario or Alvarinho grapes. Vinho Verde producers can create white, red or ros wines from white or red grapes. Vinho Verde is very aromatic and is often compared to Gewrztraminer or Viognier. The grapevines in Portugal's Vinho Verde wine region are grown high up on pergolas, up fences and can sometimes be seen climbing up telephone poles.
The origin of the cat on the Gato wine label dates back to the early 1930s and I suspect relates to the old Portguese word for cat gato. The original cat was calico perhaps the family's cat? After 80+ years and many cat lives, they introduced a blue-green image of a cat. While Gato may have updated the image on its labels, they continue to produce wines using tried and true Portuguese family traditions.
On your first sip, don't be surprised if you taste a slight fizz or effervescence. This is a delightful feature of Vinho Verde wines. This wine has lower alcohol content at nine per cent and a slightly sweet finish. This sweetness is balanced by a good level of acidity. Once in your glass, it's pretty pale with bright aromas of grapefruit, melon and tropical fruits. You can enjoy this white on its own, as an apritif.
