BC Fall Release Wines

Earlier this week the BC Wine Institute hosted trade and consumer events to showcase their fall releases. What does that mean, "fall releases"? Basically, it's all the new vintages that have or are just about to hit the market.


This post is dedicated to the many interesting wines I enjoyed that are worth a look and a try, while my top few favourites can be found at http://beckysolomon.blogspot.com/2007/09/best-of-bc-fall-wine-releases.html. A selection of killer reds is posted at http://beckysolomon.blogspot.com/2007/09/bc-red-blends-vs-new-zealand-and.html


Quail's Gate

Chenin Blanc - Earthy and mushroomy with good acidity. A great change for those of you drinking other whites.

Rose - 100% Gamay Noir it has raspberry and barely ripe cherry. Why I didn't drink bucket loads of this on the patio this summer, I'll never know.

Merlot - Rich and a bit herbaceous with deep dark fruit.

Old Vines Foch - Intense with gripping tannins and a hint of menthol, this is a great wine even though it's lost the bacon fat characteristic I so enjoyed in previous vintages. Perhaps this will show again with more bottle age, as this complex red deserves.


Red Rooster

Pinot Gris - Fresh, juicy green pear.

Pinot Blanc - A degree of richness to balance out the citrus, Red Roosters wines have come a log way indeed.

Therapy

Pink Freud - Sometimes a Rose is just a Rose, but this one has great body to accompany its loads of fruit. Yes, I like it for its body - go ahead and analyze that.

Chardonnay - Delicious. It's the Chardonnay that keeps on giving with rich toastiness and a long finish.

Merlot - Spiced plum, big tannins and a touch of liquorice.

Syrah - Another one that I am eager to try after more bottle age. There's definitely potential here - and a lot of white pepper.


Prospect Winery

Prospect is a Mission Hill brand destined to replace their Five Vineyards line, and they're just about to release a $40 Vidal Ice Wine. I'm sure they'll sell tons of it at that price point. It's golden yellow with honeyed peach and orange. I think it fills an important gap in the market for an affordable ice wine. For $10 more though I'd take the next step up, Mission Hill's Reserve Vidal Icewine that's copper coloured and has much richer caramelized flavours and mouthfeel.