A taste of South Africa
South African wineries want you to drink more of their fresh, affordable and quaffable vintages.
Wines of South Africa, the group of exporting wineries that supplies B.C. government liquor stores, has been on a promotional blitz lately touting value bottles with in-store displays and tastings.
The show comes to the Orchard Park Liquor Store in Kelowna on June 29 and 30 with free tastings of three wines.
Protea Chenin Blanc 2017 ($13) is an example of how South Africa’s Western Cape is doing a good job with this traditional French grape.
The result is a refreshing sipper with nectarine, apricot, peach, melon and citrus aromas and flavours.
It’s red partner, Protea 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon ($14), is also from the Western Cape and serves up classic Cab aromas and tastes of cherry, chocolate and baking spices. By the way, Protea is South Africa’s national flower. Goats do Roam 2016 red ($15.50) may have a novelty name in reference to the Rhone varietals it contains, but it’s still a serious blend of Shiraz, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan and Petite Sirah.
Expect a medium-bodied, juicy, berry-driven wine with soft tannins.
Of course, liquor stores stock many more South African wines than the three being tasted next Friday and Saturday.
Three of the other standouts are Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon rose ($14) for its cherry, cranberry and rose petal profile; Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay ($19) for its bold, buttery and tropical flavours; and Walker Bay 2017 Sauvignon Blanc ($14), a zesty, tropical and citrus sipper.
Best of show
Wild Goose Vineyards won an unprecedented best white and best red of show combination at the All Canadian Wine Championships.
The Okanagan Falls winery picked up the best white wine of show prize for its 2017 Gewurztraminer ($17) and best red wine of show for its 2016 Red Horizon Meritage ($26.50).
“Two best of show trophies in one competition!? I am not sure that has every happened before,” said senior winemaker Hagen Kruger.
“Our winemaking team of Nikolas Kruger, Tanya Booth and myself knew the Meritage was very special and to be recognized is truly an honour. Our growers, vineyard and cellar teams did a remarkable job putting that wine (Gewurztraminer) together.”
The Gewurzt is an exotic elixir of citrus, lilac orange tea and stone fruit aromas and flavours, while the Meritage is a classic Bordeaux-style blend of cherry-plum-and-spice-driven Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
New at Sandhill
Sandy Leier may be Sandhill Wines’ new winemaker, but she’s not new to the company that owns the brand.
Sandhill is owned by Andrew Peller Ltd., which also has the Peller Estates, Calona (Conviction), Wayne Gretzky Okanagan, Gray Monk, Black Hills, Tinhorn Creek and Red Rooster wineries.
Leier was most recently winemaker for a decade at Calona (Conviction) and Wayne Gretzky Okanagan.
“I love exploring the unique properties and diverse microclimates of each of Sandhill’s vineyard sites and celebrating those differences in the wines,” said Leier. Leier has big shoes to fill at Sandhill. She’s replacing award-winning Howard Soon, who worked at Calona-Sandhill for over 30 years and put the brands on the map.
However, Leier will have no difficulty following Soon because, while at Calona (Conviction) and Wayne Gretzky Okanagan, she picked up numerous accolades ranging from a Lieutenant Governor’s Award and gold at Syrah de Monde to best in class at the All Canadian Wine Championships.
Leier is a rarity in Okanagan winemaking in that she’s Valley born and bred.
However, she’s learned around the world by working in wine regions in Australia, France, Chile and Argentina.
Photo Ark
While sipping at Liquidity Winery this summer be prepared to be stared at by lemurs, monkeys, wolves, cougars, tigers, turtles and iguanas.
No, the zoo hasn’t been emptied out at the Okanagan Falls winery, but 50 stunning wildlife images from National Geographic Photo Ark adorn the tasting room walls from today until Sept. 3.
The pictures of were taken by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, who wants people to care about protecting the animals and their habitats.
“Liquidity is proud to have been chosen as the first Canadian stop this exhibiiton,” said winery owner Ian Macdonald.
“National Geographic is such an iconic global brand and we are thrilled to be working with them on this inspirational show.”
Nota Bene release
Black Hill’s Nota Bene is the kind of wine that deserves a dance party, a cult following and guaranteed sell out.
As such, the 18th vintage of the signature Bordeaux-style red blend from the Oliver winery, the 2016 ($60), will be launched at a release celebration today from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring dance music from an ABBA tribute band, a silent disco in the barrel cellar and food by chef Lee Humphries to go with sips of Nota Bene and other Black Hill wines.
There may still be some lastminute tickets available for $199 at BlackHillsWinery.com.