BC Pinots & Red Blends

David Scholefield, a BC Wine Institute consultant, was pouring a special selection of BC reds at his table at the trade event, Colours, and later that evening at the consumer event, Chef Meets Grape.

Ranging in price from $17-$70, he had high praise for BC’s wines. "Compare these wines to New Zealand and Bordeaux and your realize that what we're doing is pretty special. The reason these wines are here is that there's a hell of a lot of this (hold the lower priced Inniskillin and Sumac Ridge) in this (holds up the more expensive Petale and Oculus)."

Here's a combination of what Scholefield poured at both events. There's not a loser in the bunch. Buy, buy, buy, and just let your wallet dictate how high you want to go. You'll be happy whether you you dip your toe in at $17 or splurge at $70.

Inniskillin Okanagan Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - Rich plum flavours and balanced tannins.
Sumac Ridge Black Sage Cab Franc 2005 - Pepper and baking spice with lots of fruit.
Le Vieux Pin Apogee 2004 - Blackberry jam, cassis and plum. Smooooth.
Mission Hill Oculus 2004 - Intense. A knockout vintage far surpassing the '03 this is best cellared for a few years... or at least decanted. I hope you bought it for $10 less during the pre-sale period, because it's $70 now.
There were two additional products poured, and references to them have been removed until vintages can be confirmed.

Pinot Noirs
International Sommelier Guild's DJ Kearny was pouring some special picks at her end of the same table, including six Pinot Noirs. If you have a chance, try as many wines of the same variety side by side as you can. There's really no better way to compare brands and styles, and to enjoy the range of what a grape can become. Ranging from Church & State's very light, fresh cherry, to earthy Quail's Gate, to cedary Mission Hill Reserve, to herbaceous Cedar Creek.

To see the post about the New Zealand Pinot Noir seminar that Scholefield co-hosted with winemaker, Allan Scott, click here http://beckysolomon.blogspot.com/2007/05/fasten-your-seatbelts-for-new-zealand.html

To read my article in Vendor Magazine about Averill Creek Winery's Pinot Noir click here http://www.vendormagazine.ca/2007/averill_creek.html