I really enjoyed celebrating Canada 150 with a well-chilled glass of BC Rosé. 2015 was an excellent year for BC Rosé sales and the wineries decided to increase production for 2016. Based on anecdotal information, tourism in the valley is down based on the lower turnout at wineries we visited. This was due to the spring flooding which closed beaches and limited boating. As the visitors drive the cellar door sales, I was concerned that the increased Rosé production would become a sales challenge.
However, Summer has finally arrived in the valley, another week of 30C plus temperatures. The beaches are now open and the cases of Rosé are leaving their shelves. So for the Rosé wine lovers out there, here is a quick review of the ACWC gold award winners in your favourite BC wine category.
All Canadian Wine Championship
Double Gold
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2016 Platinum Rosé Block 1 100% Pinot Noir, 13.9% alcohol, 3.4 pH, 6.1 TA,14 4.9 RS. Each year, there are single blocks of the vineyard that show something unique – small spots where vine maturity, soil and climate combine to create something distinctly CedarCreek. Delicate, light pink salmon hue. Stylistically connected to Provence. Strawberry and watermelon notes. Fresh saline character. Balanced, dry and fresh.
Gold
Singletree Winery 2016 Rosé 100% Pinot Noir, 11% alcohol, 3.2 pH, 8.2 TA,14.7 RS. Stainless cool ferment for fresh aromatics and lively acidity. Fresh strawberries and grapefruit with a lively, fresh mouthwatering array of tropical fruits.
The View Winery & Vineyard 2016 Silver Lining Rosé An artful blend of our Pinotage Rosé, Baco Noir and signature aromatic whites. Aromas of strawberry, raspberry and mandarin spice are followed by succulent notes of pink grapefruit and bright citrus. For more on The View Winery visit our earlier post here.
Kismet Estate Winery, BC 2016 Infinity Rosé Light red in colour and created through the bleeding of eight varieties including, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Mourvedre, and Grenache. Fresh fruit aromas such as raspberry, cherry, and blackberry. A lively and refreshing palate with a hint of sweetness on the finish. For more on the Kismet Winery visit our earlier post here.
Arrowleaf Cellars, BC 2016 Rosé A blend of Pinot Noir and Zweigelt from Carr’s Landing, Okanagan Centre and West Kelowna. The crushed grapes and held in a tank for 12 to 24 hours or just long enough for the juice to extract a small amount of colour from the skins. As soon as the juice takes on a light pink hue, the skins and ferment it cooled to preserve the lovely berry and floral aromas. The bouquet has aromas of strawberry, cranberry, grapefruit and rose petals. The palate is rich and full, presenting abundant fruit flavour and a touch of minerality on the finish. For more on Arrowleaf Cellars visit our earlier post here.
Monster Vineyards 2016 Rosé. Soft raspberry in colour. Vibrant aromas of juicy watermelon and dried cranberries. Flavours of electric grapefruit with notes of strawberries and a hint of sweet rhubarb on the finish. Crisp acidity and a hint of sweetness make this rosé demonstrably optimistic and cheerful.
Wild Goose Vineyards 2016 Rosé Bright, crisp acidity and off-dry in style. Intense strawberry and rhubarb! A lovely lush and full wine. For more on Wild Goose Vineyards visit our earlier post here.
Corcelettes Estate Winery 2016 Oracle The Provence-inspired Rosé is harvested from the Lady Hawke Vineyard in Keremeos. Oracle is part of our Vineyard Accolade Edition. With guava and citrus fruit on the nose, pink grapefruit and pomegranate on the palate, this wine is always the perfect summer aperitif. For more on Wild Goose Vineyards visit our earlier post here.
Source: BC Wine tasting notes provided by the winery websites.