The Okanagan’s best bets for frugal wine enthusiasts.
50th Parallel Estate Winery 2021 Pinot Gris $25
Apple, honey, tropical and pear aromas with some gooseberry and floral notes. On the palate there is mineral, apple skin, with pear and canned fruit flavours. Nice freshness on the finish.
Bench 1775 Winery 2018 Red Meritage $30
Rich and savoury with black cherry, cassis, chocolate, herbal, bell pepper character and a hint of tobacco. Supple mouthfeel with chewy, savoury tannins and an extended finish.
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2022 Pinot Gris $27
Elegance in a value package with green apple, lemon, peach, orange rind, mineral aromas and a touch of floral on the bouquet. Bright fruit on entry and plenty of racy acidity on the finish.
Carter Wine Company 2018 Ehrenfelser/Riesling Estate Series $21
Fresh peach leaps out of the glass with aromas of orange, vanilla and a hint of mineral. Some lively zest on the palate with tree fruit and citrus flavours and a clean finish.
Castoro de Oro Estate Winery Merlot $25 ($9.50 per can)
Aromas of Christmas cake, cinnamon, candied cherries, gingerbread, plum and cassis. Ripe red fruit palate with lovely chocolate character, baking spice and black cherry flavours. Available by bottle or in convenient, portable cans.
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc $30
Deep dark ruby colour, black cherries, cinnamon spice, some bell pepper, earth, plum and black pepper. Luscious and ripe with moderate tannins. Drink now or cellar up to three years.
Dirty Laundry Vineyard 2022 Viognier $22
A big, juicy number with intense aromas of tropical fruit, orange blossoms, nectarine and lemon oil. Luscious fruit flavours of mango, pineapple, nectarine and honeyed orange with excellent cleansing acidity.
Lake Breeze Vineyards 2022 Rosé $26
Made from 100 per cent Merlot, it features perfumed aromas of rose petals, vanilla, blood orange, wild strawberry, rhubarb and cherry. Fresh and bright with cherry, wild strawberry, blood orange flavours and citrusy finish.
Liquidity Wines 2020 Riesling $21
An arresting bouquet of apples, honey, lemon zest, mineral and a touch of flint. Honeyed apple flavours balanced by bright acidity. Beautifully done.
Mission Hill Family Estate Winery 2021 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Organic $26
Aromas of passion fruit, gooseberry, lemon peel and grassy notes. Mouthwatering acidity with full-on fruit flavours and lots of length on the finish. Nice complexity in the mouth and refreshing.
Peak Cellars 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé $27
Fresh strawberry extract, orange peel, rose petal and mineral. Lovely bright acidity on the palate with flavours of red berries, blood orange, citrus peel and mineral.
Phantom Creek Estates 2019 Merlot $46
Big aromas of black cherry, raspberry with pepper, cedar box, earth, herbal, vanilla, coffee bean and tobacco notes. Powerful entry with smoky, earthy, black tea, herbal and black fruit flavours.
Poplar Grove Winery 2022 Rosé Nouveau $26
A racy low alcohol wine with strawberry, pomegranate and orange aromas. Yummy and fresh, lovely sipper with plenty of bright fruit flavours and zing on the finish. Only eight per cent alcohol.
Serendipity Winery 2016 Next Step $30
A blend of Merlot, Cab Franc and Pinot Noir it features aromas of blueberry, mocha, plum, licorice, some meaty notes and a touch of pepper. On the palate there are ripe blue fruits, dusty chocolate, white pepper and some smoky flavours.
Summerhill Pyramid Winery 2021 Organic Gewürztraminer $23
Peach, apple, lychee, juicy pink grapefruit, orange blossoms and spice aromas jump out of the aromatic bouquet. Bright tropical fruit flavours with citrus zest on the finish. Not overly powerful and yummy to drink.
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2021 Chardonnay $28
Shows lovely golden apple, melon, peach, orange, lemon, nutty, butter and honey aromas. On the palate, the wine is creamy, and balanced by fresh tropical fruit and lemon zest acidity. Wow factor.
The View Winery 2021 Riesling $22
Honey, apple sauce, peach, nutmeg, pear and lime peel aromas. Luscious honeyed entry with baked apple, peach nectar, pear, citrus and sweet spicy flavours. Good acidity on the finish.
Wild Goose Winery 2022 Autumn Gold $20
This blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Blanc is a perennial favourite among consumers thanks to its big fruit, honey and spicy style. Spiced baked apple, melon, pear aromas, ginger, floral notes with bright orange and pear accents.
