New from CedarCreek

Meantime, Martin’s Lane’s sister winery next door, CedarCreek, is open to the public.

So, you can easily pick up three of the new releases my wife, Kerry, and I just tasted.

Fresh off a trip to Morocco, we were in search of a rose to go with chicken tangine, the North African delicate-curry staple cooked in a clay pot.

The 2017 Platinum Block 1 Pinot Noir rose ($30) fit the bill with its classic strawberries and cream profile rounded out with some grapefruit and herb aromas and flavours.

Morocco is renowned for its roses, made by French winemakers attracted to the country’s Mediterranean climate on the coast where the wines can be crafted to resemble vintages from the South of France.

We didn’t haul any wine back from Morocco, but have found Okanagan wines pair nicely with Moroccan cuisine, from meats cooked in mild curries and fruity sauces to roasted vegetables and couscous with virtually everything.

Another perfect pairing with Moroccan cuisine’s preponderance of cinnamon, cardamom, coriander and ginger ingredients is CedarCreek’s textbook 2017 Riesling ($19) for its vibrant acidity with jasmine and tangerine aromas and flavours.

CedarCreek’s 2017 Platinum Haynes Creek Viognier ($35), with its aromatic apricot, peach, flower and flinit, also complements tangine.

Don’t be scared off the the construction site that is CedarCreek right now.

The tasting bar and wine shop are open during building, but you have to do a bit of a detour to get to them.

The disruption will all be worth it this fall when CedarCreek’s new year-round restaurant, tasting room and wine boutique opens.