The BC Summer has been a long time coming but it looks like it will arrive this week just in time for Father’s day.
The 2020 BC wine releases I have tasted so far have been excellent. Here is my selection of ten great value BC wines for Father’s Day.
I have also provided some suggested food pairing if you are looking for some food inspiration!
Sparkling Wine
Intrigue Social Bubbly 2019 ($20)
A frizzante style wine, juicy, clean, crisp with a succulent finish. A golden hue and fine bubbles and citrus notes make this wine a pairing to celebrate any occasion.
Suggested Food Pairings are spring rolls, grilled shrimp, sushi and also just fine on it’s own.
White Wine
Four Shadows Riesling 2019 ($23)
A lovely pale straw colour. Aromas of rose petals and jasmine. Ripe apricots jump from the glass along with red peach, green apple, pear and honeycomb. The wine has a vibrant crisp mouthfeel with a stony backbone. The perfect off-dry style Riesling at 10.9% alcohol.
The wine paired perfectly with pan-fried steelhead trout.
Sonora Desert White Merlot 2019 ($22.50)
A lovely pale salmon colour. Delicate aroma of rose petals and honeysuckle flowers. Flavours of apricot, apple, kiwi, lime zest, white peach with a hint of caramel. Light to medium-bodied with low acidity and a rich mouthfeel. None of the bitter tannins present in some white merlots.
The perfect summer patio sipper!
Sperling Pinot Gris 2018 ($21)
Citrus aromas with honeydew melon. On the palate, Granny Smith apple, melon, honey and mandarin orange and a hint of toasted chestnut on the back of the tongue. The wine is medium-bodied, well-balanced and textured mouthfeel with a short off-dry finish.
The wine paired perfectly with pan-fried halibut and salad.
Winemaker’s CUT Sauvignon Blanc 2019 ($26)
Aromas of citrus and tropical fruits. The wine is alive when it reaches your tongue. A very vibrant wine that is slightly drier than last years vintage. Flavours of pineapple, kiwi, lemon, key lime and red grapefruit. The wine has a light creamy texture, with minerality and a long finish.
A fruit-forward style wine that is great with seafood or standalone. It was paired with BBQ Sockeye salmon and was amazing.
Enjoy this fabulous BC example of Sauvignon Blanc!
Rosé
Seven Directions Tractor and Vines Pinot Noir Rosé 2019 ($20.99)
A gorgeous grapefruit and melon hue. On the nose, the wine is like walking through an orange grove bursting with springtime blossoms followed by a garden with roses and jasmine in bloom.
Flavours of strawberry, grapefruit and mandarin orange. Creamery, smooth finish with a slight hint of bitterness to keep the palate aroused. BC Rosé doesn’t get any better.
Monte Creek Ranch Sparkling Rosé Reserve 2018 ($21.99)
This is the perfect patio sipper. A vibrant deep orange salmon colour. When you pop the cork and pour into your glass there are major effervescent bubbles.
Aromas of wild strawberries and Mandarin orange. Ripe strawberry with fruit juice, jam, orange and leaf comes through clearly on the palate, alongside some spice notes. The bubbles and juicy acidity keep the wine in balance.
Perfect alongside a salad with strawberry and goat cheese. Also a great foil to quiche and other hard-to-pair brunch dishes with both sweet and savoury components.
Red Wine
Moraine Cliffhanger Red 2018 ($19)
The 2018 Cliffhanger Red is a Merlot dominant wine, with a smattering of Malbec, from the Anastasia vineyard. Bottled after a 3-month bath in French oak.
This creates a mouthwatering aroma of raspberries, blackberries, and smokey oak. Flavours of black fruit, dark chocolate and a hint of mint and white pepper. For a young wine, the tannins are soft and easy to approach.
This easy drinking red is best paired with Summer BBQ fare and friends.
Dirty Laundry Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 ( $24.99)
A beautiful deep ruby red colour. Aromas of raspberry, blueberry and chocolate. On the palate black plum, blackberries, cherries and leather and a whiff of dark chocolate with smooth tannins giving way to a luscious finish. 91 Points
Pairs well with BBQ NY strip steak and game meat, think bison tenderloin or venison with blackberry sauce.
Lunessence Pinot Noir 2017 ($27.99)
I saved the Pinot Noir for last as this is my favourite wine.
Delightful floral aromas of violets, with cherries, cedar and earthy undertones. Flavours of red cherries, blueberries and toasty oak. The wine has aged well in the bottle now with silky smooth tannins.
The Pinot pairs well with roast chicken, rack of lamb, fillet steak and carpaccio and chicken or turkey sausages.