Thanks to the Hester Creek Estate Winery team for the fabulous hospitality during the March media event to promote the new GSM wine. It was great to visit the winery, Terrafina and Villas again and enjoy the wine, food, and time with our friendly hosts.
What are the unique characteristics of GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) wine?
GSM wines typically exhibit a unique combination of characteristics due to the blend of these grape varieties:
- Grenache: Adds red fruit flavours like raspberry and strawberry, floral notes and a hint of spice.
- Syrah: Contributes dark fruit flavours like blackberry and plum, along with pepper, spice, and sometimes a touch of smoked meat.
- Mourvèdre: Provides structure, earthiness, and piquant notes like leather, game, and dried herbs. It also adds depth and complexity to the blend.
Together, these varieties create a wine with bold fruit flavours, moderate to high tannins, medium to full body, and a balanced acidity. The wine often has a complex aroma profile, ranging from ripe fruits to herbal and spicy notes, with a lingering finish.
Wineries that are known for producing excellent GSM
GSM blends are popular in many wine regions, especially in France’s Rhône Valley. Here are some wineries known for producing excellent GSM blends:
- Château de Beaucastel (Rhône Valley, France): This historic estate is renowned for its Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, which include a significant portion of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre in their blends.
- Domaine de la Janasse (Rhône Valley, France): Another top producer in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine de la Janasse crafts highly acclaimed GSM blends with great depth and complexity.
- Tablas Creek Vineyard (Paso Robles, California, USA): Tablas Creek is known for its dedication to Rhône varietals and produces outstanding GSM blends that showcase the unique terroir of Paso Robles.
- Sine Qua Non (California, USA): While not strictly adhering to traditional Rhône blends, Sine Qua Non has gained a cult following for its innovative and highly sought-after wines, including GSM blends.
- Torbreck Vintners (Barossa Valley, Australia): In the Barossa Valley, Torbreck produces iconic GSM blends known for their concentration, richness, and age-worthiness.
These wineries are just a few examples of those renowned for their GSM blends.
Introducing Hester Creek’s GSM 2022
The Vineyards
“Our Grenache and Mourvèdre were planted on Vineyard Eleven in Osoyoos. This vineyard is located just south of The Cottages on the east side of Osoyoos Lake which makes it premium terroir for creating premium wines. It is an extremely warm vineyard site with south-west facing slopes allowing for a higher number of Growing Degree Days (GDD) with long afternoons, warm evenings and the additional reflection off the lake. We have given this vineyard the name, Vineyard Eleven, as it is an 11 out of 10 for quality vineyard locations in BC. Along with the varietals that go into the GSM, we are also growing Sangiovese on this site which will go into our Super Tuscan to be released in 2025.
The majority of Syrah comes from this vineyard as well, with a small percentage coming from two other vineyards in the South Okanagan Valley. The Viognier comes from the Chahal vineyard in Okanagan Falls.”
Mark Hopley
Winemaking
After being hand-harvested, the grapes were destemmed and fermented separately for an average of 27 days before being barrelled down and encouraged through malolactic fermentation for another three weeks.
The wine was aged 14 months in French Oak barrels to showcase the terroir and provide the wine enthusiast with a uniquely British Columbian wine.
45% Grenache / 38% Syrah (includes 2% Viognier co-fermented) / 17% Mourvèdre
Alcohol 12.8% / pH 3.7 / TA 6.1 g/L / RS 0.4 g/L
Tasting Notes
The GSM is a deep, ruby-red colour. It has a graceful aroma of plum, cherries, and chocolate. Elegantly and perfectly balanced, the medium-bodied wine reveals layers of ripe raspberry, plum, and cherry flavours with fine tannins, floral notes, and a hint of pepper. The finish is very long and harmonious. It’s a very sophisticated wine that can be cellared for 7+ years. 92+ points.
Food pairings
GSM is versatile and can complement a wide range of dishes. Here are some good pairing options:
- Grilled meats: GSM wines’ bold flavours and moderate tannins pair well with grilled steaks, lamb chops, or pork tenderloin.
- Roasted vegetables: The earthy and savoury notes complement roasted vegetables like eggplant, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
- Game meats: The rich and complex flavours enhance the taste of game meats such as venison, duck, or wild boar.
- Spicy dishes: GSM wines’ fruity and spicy characteristics can balance the heat in dishes like spicy sausage pasta or Cajun-spiced chicken.
- Hard cheeses: GSM wines’ robust flavours and acidity make them an excellent match for aged cheeses like Cheddar, Gouda, or Manchego.
Overall, GSM wines offer a delightful drinking experience and can elevate various culinary creations.
GSM Concert
“The release of our much anticipated GSM is right around the corner. Following a series of GSM mini-events throughout the spring and summer, the culmination of the release of this wine will be an outdoor concert on July 20th!
We are proud to present Mocking Shadows, a lively Canadian band that has been entertaining crowds for over 25 years with their own brand of soul, R&B, reggae, ska, and even a little blues. They have developed an energetic and authentic sound that not only packs the dance floor, but also satisfies the most discerning music fans.”
Kimberley Pylatuk | Public Relations Coordinator
Saturday, July 20th ~ 6:30 – 9:30pm
Guests are welcome to start arriving at 6:00 p.m. This is a 19+ event with limited tickets available. No pets are permitted, and outside food and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
Lawn Tickets ~ General Admission is $50 per person, plus tax
Offering some of the best views of the stage, we invite you to bring your picnic blanket and settle in for a spectacular evening. No lawn chairs will be permitted for this event.
Patio Tickets ~ Preassigned Seating is $80 per person, plus tax
Enjoy a seat on either the Oak Terrace or Vineyard Patio, which includes a complimentary glass of our 2022 GSM and a bag of truffle popcorn. If you are booking for only two people, you will be seated at a table with another couple. All patio seats will be preassigned. If you are coming with friends, please let us know through the reservation questions so we can ensure you are sitting together or close by. Table groupings are a maximum of 6 guests.
Here is the link for more concert information and to book tickets.
References
- Guide To GSM Wine: 10 Best Bottles, Prices, Characteristics by Anthony Zang