The Okanagan’s best bets for frugal wine enthusiasts.
Carter Wine Company 2020 Estate Series Ehrenfelser/Riesling $21
A whiff of this fruit forward wine will reveal honeyed aromas of pear, nectarine, lime zest, ginger and a few tropical notes. It’s fresh and lively on the palate thanks to a solid backbone of minerality that is not overpowering.
Castoro de Oro Estate Winery Heart of Gold $8
Available in 250 ml cans perfect for an on-the-go picnic cooler, this unique blend of Pinot Blanc, Vidal, Siegfried and Viognier is the fruit salad of wine. It features bright aromas and flavours of apricot, passionfruit, pineapple, honeydew melon and hints of orange blossom. Slightly off-dry with fresh mineral character.
Dirty Laundry Winery 2022 Hush Red $25
A blend of small lot fermentations of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Osoyoos, it is crowd-pleasing wine with deep raspberry, cherry cola, pomegranate, sweet tea, chocolate and vanilla. The winery processes each red lot separately on the crush pad, then carefully selects and blends certain lots in order to deliver a bright, fun and fruity red wine perfect for the patio.
Hillside Winery 2020 Merlot $26
This 100 percent Merlot was created from four principal blocks of the grape in the Naramata region. A warm summer and fall allowed for extended hang time, resulting in plenty of deep red fruits on the nose such as black cherry, raspberry and plum, accented by vanilla, chocolate and white pepper.
Mission Hill Family Estate 2024 Reserve Rosé $26
Made with 100 percent Pinot grapes sourced from Petaluma Gap, California, as part of the Vintage 2024 Relief and Support Program, it features delicate aromas of strawberries, watermelon, blood orange and rose blossoms. On the palate, it’s bright and lively with lovely red berry flavours and a crisp, clean finish.
Nighthawk Vineyards 2023 Blanc de Noir $29
A white wine made with 100 percent Pinot Noir grapes? You bet! The fruit is picked and pressed with minimal skin contact then barrel aged in neutral French oak. The result is an elegant soft and rich wine with hints of light berries, golden apple, honeysuckle and rose petals.
Nk’Mip Cellars 2021 Merlot $26
Terrific value for this classic Merlot that was aged for 18 months in a combination of French and American oak. It features aromas and flavours of plum, cassis, vanilla, cocoa and toasty nuts, accented by baking spice, cocoa, leather and tobacco.
Poplar Grove 2024 Cascadia Pinot Gris $20
Crafted in B.C. with grapes grown in Washington state as part of the Vintage 2024 Relief and Support Program, this Pinot Gris represents great value. Fresh and fruit forward, it serves up nectarine, lime, pear, apple, apricot, orchard blossoms and honey in the bouquet. Zesty palate full of fresh fruit flavours, lemon and a solid backbone of acidity.
See Ya Later Ranch Winery 2022 Chardonnay $18
An elegant, mouthcoating release that serves up pineapple, butterscotch, vanilla, coconut, peaches and cream and lemon oil. Supple, velvety mouthfeel with just a nice smack of acidity for balance. Think of pairing this with lobster mac and cheese.
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2021 Merlot Cabernet Franc $26
This ruby-hued wine features black cherry, blueberry, cranberry, pepper, cocoa and savoury spice character. Medium bodied with balanced acidity and tannins, it can stand up to a juicy cut of meat.
