Events in Okanagan for spring wine fest
The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society and presenting sponsor Valley First open the 26th Annual Spring Okanagan Wine Festival from May 5 to 15 across the Okanagan Valley.
The 10-day festival features over 70 events up and down the valley.
■ The Valley First Spring Wine Tastings is back at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna on May 7.
■ From Cellars to Classics, a new event with Okanagan Chamberfest takes place on May 12 at the Laurel Packinghouse, Kelowna. Guests will enjoy a wine and hors d'oeuvre reception followed by a chamber music concert.
■ Another new event, Blush and Bubbles, will go on May 15 at the Summerland Waterfront Resort, celebrating rosé and sparkling wines.
You can download the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival Guidebook and book tickets at thewinefestivals.com.
The Champagne Bureau announced 34,119,758 bottles of Champagne were shipped to the United States in 2021, a 63.9 per cent increase in year-overyear annual figures and the most bottles shipped to any country outside of France.
In addition, the value of the shipments reached more than €793.5 million in 2021, again the highest of any country outside of France. Champagne shipped 322 million bottles in 2021, increasing 32 per cent from 2020 as COVID-19 restrictions eased worldwide.
So much for in-person visits and glitzy events. Once again, alcohol sales prove to be resilient no matter the challenge.
WINE OF THE WEEK
Red Barn at Jagged Rock Lost Art Semillon 2020, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada $30 I 90/100
UPC: 776545340023
Red Barn is the seventh member of the Iconic Wineries of B.C., joining Mission Hill, Cedar Creek, CheckMate, Road 13, Liquidity, and Martin's Lane. Visitors can expect to get a look at the intimate facility in 2022 when it opens to the public by appointment only. Jagged Rock Vineyard has already yielded some impressive Sémillon fruit seen in multiple Mission Hill labels, and the Red Barn version is equally impressive. The fruit is raised in stainless steel and concrete, blending freshness and luscious textures throughout. Round and dense, the palate is a refreshing mix of exotic lemon and yellow apple with a shake of sea salt — available online at Artisan Wine Shop.
WINE FOR THE CELLAR
Giant Steps Chardonnay 2021, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia $42.99 I 92/100
UPC: 9351105000107
The Yarra Valley Chardonnay comes off five sites: Sexton, Tarraford, Applejack, Primavera, and Wombat Creek Vineyards. It is hard to believe it could get better than last year, but it is, and the alcohol is down an entire point to 12.5 per cent. The vintage was large and of high quality. The result is a high-quality white with mealy, leesy notes, bright apricot, and a lemon rush through the finish. Rich in a Grand Cru way but not overpowering. Outstanding value. Food possibilities are endless, including these winery suggestions: fish tacos with coriander, chili and avocado salsa, grilled eggplant with tomato relish, salad with grilled goat cheese on croutons, roast crispy skin chicken with preserved lemon and roast garlic.