Riesling is a white grape that is so ideally suited to the British Columbia climate. The resulting wine pairs really well with the local food.
The dry or Trocken-style BC Riesling is similar to Sauvignon Blanc, so is great with seafood. Trocken is a bone-dry style of Riesling that’s crisp and fresh with precise and focused fruit and minerals. They can be achingly enjoyable, as the acid seems almost to sear your gums but then coaxes your taste buds to water, releasing an intense wave of fruit. Their vibrant acidity and minerality can also be terrific with rich dishes flavoured with lime, like Beef Thai Curry.
Off-dry Rieslings work really well with all Asian foods and German food such as Bratwurst sausage and sauerkraut.
Here are 11 excellent value BC Rieslings for you to enjoy anytime.
Dry BC Riesling
Gehringer Brothers Private Reserve Dry Riesling 2022 ($16.99)
The 2022 BC Rieslings are fantastic. The low yields have imparted vibrant fruit flavours to the wines.
The Private Reserve Dry Riesling results from a specially selected site and exceptional vineyard care. The reduced crop load and intensive leaf canopy management have yielded a positive difference in taste.
Alcohol 13.0% / pH 2.94 / TA 6.5 / RS 7.6
Apple blossom and stone fruit aroma. This rich fruit-forward wine has perfectly balanced acidity and a rounded mouthfeel. Its flavours include apple, white peach, tropical fruit, honeycomb, a wet stone mineral backbone, and a slightly bitter sour lime finish. It’s a perfect crisp sipper on a hot summer day. 93 Points.
Double Gold medal at the 2023 All Canadian Wine Championships.
Township 7 Benchmark Series Riesling 2021 ($29.97)
“Crafted from 100% Riesling from the Fool’s Gold Vineyard in North Oliver. Under the long-time ownership of Mark Antonello, a well-known vineyard manager, and planted by his father-in-law Richard Cleave, the Okanagan’s most renowned viticulturist. The fruit was gently pressed and cold settled before the majority was fermented in concrete, with a small portion fermented in older barriques. The fermentation took 4 weeks, which has resulted in the retention of the most delicate fruit aromatics. The concrete fermentation added a nice creamy texture to the palate which balances the vibrant acidity. This wine promises great ageability in bottle over the coming years.” Mary McDermott
Alcohol 12.2% | pH 3.18 | TA 8.2 g/L | RS 3 g/L | Vegan
A dry riesling with muted aromas of lime and stone fruit and flavours of citrus, ripe apple, pineapple and apricot. A crisp, well-balanced wine with just the right amount of flinty mineral on the finish. 91 points
Peak Cellars Riesling 2020 ($24)
Alcohol 12.0% / pH 2.89/ TA 8.32 g/L / RS 7.5 g/L
The Classic Riesling has a vibrant colour with a beautiful green tint. If you love green apples this is the wine for you! On the nose citrus and green apples with floral notes. There are lively flavours of Key limes, green apples, honeydew melon, honeycomb and a hint of marzipan. A full and round texture with a long mineral-like finish. 91 Points.
Moraine Riesling 2018 ($22)
Whole bunch pressed and fermented at cool temperatures.
Clear and light in colour. Packed with aromas of citrus and green apple and light floral notes. There is an orchard of green apples and citrus on the palate, mainly key limes. A well-balanced juicy mouthfeel with a mineral backbone and a long finish.
To order this excellent wine go to the Moraine Winery Website.
Winemaker’s CUT Bohemian Riesling 2020 ($24)
Chahal vineyard was planted in 2008 North of Oliver. The soil type is sandy loam and gravel.
The Riesling was hand-harvested at an average 21 Brix and a yield of 4.1 tons per acre.
The winemaking used wild and organic yeast fermented for up to 71 days. 22% of the wine was barrel fermented for texture. 10% had skin contact for 14 days to enhance aromatics.
11% alcohol / 3.0 pH / TA 7.0 / RS 7.8 / free SO2 10 mg/L / total SO2 52
A light and refreshing Riesling. Pale yellow in colour. A wide range of tropical and herbal aromas. Flavours of Granny Smith apple, white peach, apricot, Key lime and Mandarin orange with a hint of stony minerality on the finish. 91 Point.
Dirty Laundry Riesling 2019 ($18.99)
Alcohol % 12.5 | pH 3.31 | TA 8.4 |RS 8
Winemaking – 100% Riesling from Summerland Vineyard. 14 days cool ferment at 12 C to retain fresh aromatic aromas
Aromas of pear, crisp apple and lemon jest. On the palate, Mandarin orange and pineapple with a hint of grapefruit. Balanced sweetness with a beautiful dry finish. 90 Points
It pairs well with ahi tuna tacos, steamed mussels or halibut with mango salsa.
Off-Dry BC Riesling
Monte Creek Living Land Riesling 2023
Alcohol: 14% / pH 2.94/ TA 8.7/ RS 7.4
A dry riesling with muted aromas of apple blossom and flavours of Key lime, Meyer lemon, green apple, and apricot. The lively, well-balanced wine has just the right amount of salty minerality on the finish. 91 points
You can purchase these good-value BC wines at the Monte Creek Winery Website.
Intrigue Riesling 2018 ($17)
Alcohol 10.3 %| RS 18| pH 2.97 | TA 7.85
The Intrigue Riesling was selected from Two Wong’s Make a White Vineyard in Oyama, Lake Country. Well-drained, gravelly soils combined with a west-facing slope provide an excellent site for developing the ripe flavours of this Riesling.
The wine is fermented very slowly to retain the fruit character, and extensive lees stirring is used to help develop the body of the wine.
From the lees contact, the dry Riesling has aromas of pear, granny smith apple, and biscuit. On the palate, it bursts with flavours of pink grapefruit, green apple, and minerality.
Enjoy with creamy risotto or seared scallops.
Okanagan Crushpad – Free Form Riesling 2019 ($34.99)
Made from certified organic Riesling from Garnet Valley Ranch, where the grapes were fermented in clay amphora with native yeast and then aged in stainless steel. The wine was filtered before bottling.
Alc: 12.5% | pH: 2.54 | TA: 11 | RS: 9.9
Light aromas of apple blossom and citrus. A rich fruit-forward wine with crisp acidity and rounded mouthfeel with flavours of green apple, lime zest and a wet stone mineral backbone. 90 Points.
Mayhem Riesling 2022 ($20.97)
This year the Riesling was picked on optimal flavours on October 23rd. The fruit was whole bunch pressed and fermented in 100% stainless steel for 3 weeks before being stopped at 17.55 g/L of residual sugar. It was then left on its lees for 7 months to age in a combination of neutral puncheons; 27% neutral barrique and 73% stainless steel, before being blended and bottled.
Alcohol 12.6% / PH 2.93 /TA 11.1 / RS 17.55
A beautiful classic Riesling. The wine is light straw in colour. Aromas of apple, pear, tropical fruit, and honey with a hint of herbs. On the palate, there is lively acidity with flavours of green apples, lemon zest and white peach leading to a crisp finish. 91 Pointsvely acidity with flavours of Granny Smith apples and white peach and a crisp finish. 91 Points
Four Shadows Classic Riesling 2022 ($24.99)
Alcohol 9.7% / pH 2.97 / TA 8.475 / RS 32.03 528 cases produced.
A lovely pale straw colour. Aromas of white peach and stone fruit. Flavours of pineapple, mango, ripe apple, honeycomb, and Meyer lemon.
The wine has a vibrant mouthfeel. The perfect iconic classic Riesling with high acidity and sweetness in natural balance.
This is the flagship wine from Four Shadows. 92 Points.
Gold Medal winner at the 2023 British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards.
Paired perfectly with Quesadilla and Salsa, the wine sweetness enhances the spiciness of the dish.
Conclusion
I would love to hear from you if you have tried any of these excellent BC Rieslings or if you have found a great value wine I have missed.