#siplovelocal

[mywinepal]

Have you ever heard of the Ortega grape? Did you know that Ortega is a cross between Siegerrebe and Müller-Thurgau? Did you know that you can try Ortega wine from @bluegrousewines from Duncan BC?  I have that wine to talk to you about, as well as a white blend. Both are #vegan friendly wines. Blue Grouse Estate Winery Estate Ortega 2019 - This wine has a pale bright straw colour.  A very pleasing nose with orange and citrus, white flowers, baby powder and beeswax.  With some air you start to get peach aroma as well.  This wine is off-dry with a medium plus body with a round but not full mouth feel.  It has a light acidic prickle.  Very light citrus and green fruit flavours, along with a touch of orange and with some swirling you also get peach flavour.  There is some steeliness to this wine as well.  It has a medium plus length finishing with citrus and citrus pith. Blue Grouse Estate Winery Q White 2019 - a blend of Schonburger, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Siegerrebe grapes. It has a pale bright straw colour in the glass.  A pronounced nose with mainly pine needles, but also citrus up front and oranges coming in later.  This wine is dry, lighter bodied with medium minus acidity, giving this wine a silky smooth feel.  Light roundness.  some minerality on the palate, but primarily pine needles followed by citrus and then peach flavours.  It has a medium plus length lingering finish with mouthwatering acidity, pine needles and peach flavours, then orange at the very end. Stay tuned for my full tasting notes on mywinepal.com. #somm #drinkwine #whitewine #wineandfood #winelovers #wineblogger #luxury #winebcdotcom #siplovelocal #bcwineries #bcvqa #coolclimatewine #drinklocalwine #buybcwine #mywinepallikes #bcwine https://www.instagram.com/p/CGp7YKkhufT/?igshid=jfy6849jjfy4

[urbnspice]

Proud to live in the Okanagan, BC - the land of wine and farmers markets. It’s a great place to live if you are a chef - inspiration is endless. #siplovelocal @winebcdotcom #wine#winelover #wineoclock #bcwine #bcwines #winetasting #winelovers #ilovebc #ilovebcwine (at Kelowna, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCZGyFyh4nC/?igshid=7bpjly9px8kj

[mywinepal]

Bizou + Yukon @bizouyukon are two Great Pyrenees who document their travels, visit other winery dogs, and share what it’s like to live in #Summerland at the Okanagan Crush Pad.  They launched a wine brand and I was provided with a bottle of their bubbles to review for you.   Bizou + Yukon BEE-zoo Bubbles 2018 (BC $24.90) - This sparkling wine has a pale intensity clear, bright salmon colour.  A medium intensity nose with youthful red fruits and strawberries along with some toastiness or nuttiness.  The wine is slightly more than off-dry.  It has medium semi-creamy bubbles, higher acidity and a thicker mouthfeel.  Strawberries themost, but also other assorted red fruits and red apples on the palate.  I also picked up some salty minerality on the palate and added some steeliness toward the finish.  Finishing off-dry with red fruits and red apples.  A fun bubble. You can buy Bizou + Yukon BEE-zoo Bubbles from the OCP website.  Also check your local wine shop. #wineoclock #wines #somm #drinkwine #rosewine #whitewine @winebcdotcom #winelovers #wineblogger #bcwineries #bcvqa #coolclimatewine #drinklocalwine #buybcwine #mywinepallikes #bcwine #bcfoodie #winesofbc #luxury #siplovelocal https://www.instagram.com/p/CEK7k77BIAl/?igshid=8ppnprtaae66

[mywinepal]

Two big red wines today from @goldhillwinery from Oliver in the South Okanagan.  Both are #Merlot based.  Their Gold Hill Merlot 2014 coming in at 16.1% alc, and Gold Hill Cabernet Merlot 2017.  It is interesting that the Merlot has a screw cap, while the Cabernet Merlot has a cork closure.  The Cabernet Merlot is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot.  Two delicious inviting wines. Gold Hill Merlot 2014 - a deep dull garnet colour about 90% opaque in the glass.   It does show strong tears on the sides of the glass showing that 16.1% alc.  It has a medium intensity nose showing cedar, lots of sweet baking spices and red fruits, along with lesser amounts of red cherries, vanilla and blackberries or black fruit.  It is slightly off dry, round and quite smooth with a lighter mouthfeel.  Lighter acidity and tannins.   Lots of sweet red fruits and sweet spices, in particular nutmeg, along with plums, vanilla and a touch of blackberries.  It has a medium plus length finishing with plums, sweet spices, nutmeg, and cedar flavours.  There are some drying tannins on the finish.  Surprisingly this wine does not feel hot from the high alcohol level.  Very enjoyable. Gold Hill Cabernet Merlot 2017 - This wine is a medium plus intensity garnet; translucent to the core and slightly dull in colour.  It has a very aromatic inviting nose with mostly red fruit, some black fruit, tobacco, ripe plums and red cherries, sweet spices and light oak.  After a bit of swirling you get noticable tea leaves or ganja aromatics as well.  This wine is dry with medium plus body.  It's semi-round with medium intensity acidity and dusty tannins.  Ripe red fruits, cocoa, light capsicum, vanilla, and raspberry flavours.  With a bit of air you get a significant amount of tea leaves or ganja as well on the palate.  A medium plus length, finishing dry.  Sweet red fruits, cocoa and sweet spices, raspberries and some pepperiness at the very end. #wineoclock #wines #grape #winetourism #somm #drinkwine #redwine #wineandfood #winelovers #wineblogger #bcwineries #bcvqa #drinklocalwine #buybcwine #mywinepallikes #bcwine #bcfoodie #winesofbc #luxury@winebcdotcom #siplovelocal https://www.instagram.com/p/CEfdWZXBdNF/?igshid=2y2bvxwrxek9

[mywinepal]

3 new vintage wines from @spearheadwinery arrived for me to taste for you. Their #Chardonnay clone 95 2018, #PinotNoir Cubmvee 2018, and #PibotGris 2019. I can't wait to taste them. #wineoclock #wines #grape #okanagan #somm #drinkwine #redwine #whitewine #wineandfood #winelovers #wineblogger #bcwineries #bcvqa #coolclimatewine #drinklocalwine #buybcwine #mywinepallikes #bcwine #bcfoodie #winesofbc #luxury #winebcdotcom #siplovelocal https://www.instagram.com/p/CEVR1wOhuDe/?igshid=1bt4dqrz65vxv

[mywinepal]

Two of #Kamloop's wineries are @harperstrail and @montecreekranch.  I believe they are the first and second commercial wineries from Kamloops.  Being a small community, I see them supporting each other to make the best wines they can from their unique region.  So I thought I'd review one white wine from Harper's Trail and one red wine from Monte Creek Ranch.  Both show off fresh fruit character that you come to expect from BC wines.  Enjoy. Harper's Trail Field Blend White 2019 - a blend of Pinot Gris, #Riesling, #Chardonnay, and #Gewurztraminer.  This wine has a medium plus intensity bright lemon colour.  Also a medium intensity nose, with mainly lemon and pine needle aromas, but also peaches, pineapple, lychee and light spearmint.  It is dry, round with a thicker mouthfeel and lighter acidity. Nice texture.  Very flavourful with citrus, grapefruit rind, pine needles, tropical fruit, and peach flavours.  You really can notice the Gewurztraminer character on the nose and palate.  This wine finishes with a medium plus length and flavours of tropical fruit, green fruit, pine needles, and some pepperiness. Monte Creek Ranch Cabernet Merlot 2017 -  a blend of 69% #Merlot, 26% #Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc sourced from three carefully selected vineyards in Oliver, Osoyoos and the #Similkameen. It is a deep dull ruby colour in the glass.  A medium intensity nose with aromas of red fruit, sweet species, cedar, chocolate, and black berries.  Slightly off dry, with a medium plus body.  It is round and soft on the palate with light fine tannins.  Sweet ripe black fruit, red fruit, cedar, sweet spices, chocolate and oak flavours.  A medium plus length finishing with light intensity chalky fine tannins, sweet ripe black fruit and sweet spices. Stay tuned for my full tasting notes on mywinepal.com #wineoclock #wines #grape #winetourism #somm #drinkwine #redwine #whitewine #wineandfood #winelovers #wineblogger #bcwineries #bcvqa #coolclimatewine #drinklocalwine #buybcwine #mywinepallikes #bcwine #bcfoodie #winesofbc #luxury #siplovelocal https://www.instagram.com/p/CD7dj-zBpVy/?igshid=b0g2pz7hr02p

[mywinepal]

Let's get back to some #BCwine.  This time it is @robinridgewinery from the #Similkameen Valley.  I have a #Chardonnay and a #Rose labelled Flicker.  I have not checked the meaning of Flicker, but I do know it is a bird that is here in BC.  Both wines are #organic. Robin Ridge Chardonnay 2018 - Has a bright medium intensity lemon colour.  A lighter nose, but has nice pears and butterscotch aromas with lesser amounts of citrus and honey.  This wine is dry, round and silky smooth!  Lower acidity which helps give it a thicker mouthfeel.  Medium intensity flavours of pears, butterscotch, tropical fruit and honey.  Medium plus length finishing with tropical fruit, butterscotch and some pepperiness.  A very nice wine. Robin Ridge Flicker 2018 - A medium intensity bright peach colour.  It has a light intensity nose giving you fresh stone fruit, red apple and red fruit aromas.  It is dry and round with a thicker creamy mouthfeel.  Red cherries, crisp red apples and red fruit flavours.  Light acidity to keep the wine fresh.  Very light fine tannins.  A medium-plus length finishing with red fruits and apple, some pepperiness and light fine tannins.  The thick, smooth mouthfeel persists from start to finish.  Another tasty wine. Stay tuned for my full tasting notes on mywinepal.com. #wineoclock #wines #somm #drinkwine #rosewine #whitewine #winelovers #wineblogger #bcwineries #bcvqa #coolclimatewine #drinklocalwine #buybcwine #mywinepallikes #bcwine #bcfoodie #winesofbc #luxury #siplovelocal https://www.instagram.com/p/CDze2zYh8Av/?igshid=1dx0f0u2jq4qw

[mywinepal]

@montecreekranch from #Kamloops makes sparkling wines.  This is the first time that I get to review them for you.  Both are quite good and would be nice when you are sitting on the patio with some cheese and crackers while enjoying this sunny weather. Monte Creek Ranch Sparkling 2019 -  is a light straw colour.  It has nice aromatics of apples, lime and tropical fruit.  It is off-dry with a medium sized creamy bubble.  Medium acidity.  Tropical fruit, in particular pineapple, flavour and some lychee with air.  A fun bubble.  Monte Creek Ranch Sparkling Rose 2019 - this wine has a clear bright rhubarb colour in the glass.  An interesting nose that reminds me of Italian #lambrusco, with rhubarb and cider aromas.  It has bigger bubbles that dissipate quickly.  It is off-dry with red cherries and candied cherries, along with rhubarb.  Again reminding me of lambrusco wine.  I tried this with a rice cracker topped with goat cheese and it made a tasty pairing. I don't have info on the grape varieties used for these wines, but will do some research for you all.Stay tuned for my full notes on mywinepal.com. #wineoclock #wines #explorekamloops #winetourism #somm #drinkwine #rosewine #whitewine #wineandfood #winelovers #wineblogger #bcwineries #bcvqa #coolclimatewine #drinklocalwine #buybcwine #mywinepallikes #bcwine #bcfoodie #winesofbc #luxury #siplovelocal https://www.instagram.com/p/CDg5bc5hAJl/?igshid=p08flz0nxi45

[mywinepal]

Hands Up if you like Reds or Rosé wines?  That is what I have for you from @montecreekranch from #Kamloops.  Let me tell you about them. Monte Creek Ranch Rosé 2019 - This rose wine is  made with a North American hybrid grape known as #Marquette. It has a an intense, bright crush raspberry and red cherry colour.  Medium intensity, lifted red fruit aromas, together with some rhubarb and candied red cherries. This wine is full bodied, round, has a thick mouthfeel, and also a strong acidic edge.  It is off-dry.  Pronounced tart red cherries, candied red cherries, red plums, and rhubarb flavours. A medium length, finishing with tart and sweet red fruits that genty taper off. Monte Creek Ranch Hands Up Red 2017 -  a blend of  #Merlot, #Frontenac Noir, and #Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has a deep, almost opaque garnet with ruby tints colour.  It has an almost closed nose but I did get some cassis and blackberry aromas.  It is dry and round, and has a big body and flavour intensity once you let it get 5-10 minutes of air.  A thicker mouth feel.  Black fruit and black berries to start, then with 5-10 minutes of air you get cassis and dark chocolate added.  Dusty fine tannins.  A touch of oak mid palate that increases toward the finish.  Chalky/dusty tannins on the finish, with a mix of dark fruits, and finishes with a bit of sweetness.   Stay tuned for my full tasting notes on mywinepal.com. #wineoclock #wines #grape #winetourism #somm #drinkwine #redwine #whitewine #winelovers #wineblogger #bcwineries #bcvqa #coolclimatewine #drinklocalwine #buybcwine #mywinepallikes #bcwine #winesofbc #luxury #siplovelocal https://www.instagram.com/p/CDPqg4BBBPG/?igshid=14bma53lwqy7x

[mywinepal]

Today I received the latest wines released from @goldhillwinery in Oliver in the South #Okanagan . I'm looking forward to trying them and letting you know more about them. Stay tuned. #wineoclock #wines #somm #drinkwine #redwine #whitewine #wineandfood #winelovers #wineblogger #bcwineries #bcvqa #coolclimatewine #drinklocalwine #buybcwine #mywinepallikes #bcwine #bcfoodie #winesofbc #luxury #siplovelocal https://www.instagram.com/p/CDKQTzcBOC-/?igshid=60d5p7fahrza

[mywinepal]

Do you likes roses or rosés?  I have both for you.  I have been fortunate to receive the latest rosé and Pinot Gris wines from @harperstrail winery in #Kamloops.  Tasting them, I can say that they are made for summer drinking.  Let me tell you about them. The roses btw are from #Burnaby Mountain Park.  They have a beautiful rose garden which you should go to visit and a panoramic view overlooking from North Vancouver to Richmond.  Enjoy. Harper's Trail Rose 2019 - this wine has a pale bright salmon colour.  A wonderfully juicy watermelon nose, along with a hint of red fruit.   This wine has a medium plus body, thicker mouthfeel, and light acidity that leaves a little prickle on your tongue.  Juicy bright fruit flavours; tropical fruits, red fruits and strawberries.  There is also some minerality I detected on the mid palate.  A medium plus length finishing with mouthwatering acidity, tart flavours, red fruit and pepperiness.  Faint tannins.  It is acidity that provides structure to this wine. Harper's Trail Pinot Gris 2019 - A medium minus intensity bright straw colour in the glass.  It has a pronounced nose showing lemon, lime and lees, with a touch of peach.  With a little air you get some bramble leaf and honey.  This wine is off-dry and has a light acidic prickele.  It's round with a thicker mouthfeel.  Mineral, with bright citrus and stone fruit flavours; peach and with air pears.  Some bramble leaf with air.  A medium plus length finishing with tart citrus and stone fruit flavours and a touch of pepperiness. Stay tuned for my full tasting notes on mywinepal.com. #wineoclock #wines #grape #winetourism #somm #rosegarden #drinkwine #redwine #whitewine #exploreburnaby #winelovers #wineblogger #bcwineries #bcvqa #coolclimatewine #drinklocalwine #buybcwine #mywinepallikes #bcwine #bcfoodie #winesofbc #luxury #siplovelocal https://www.instagram.com/p/CDJp6vmBag0/?igshid=enqcge1yu5vd

[mywinepal]

What a surprise from @montecreekranch from #Kamloops.  If you were playing along with my game from yesterday, and you guessed #Chardonnay and #Riesling you would have been right.  So what is the surprise?  The surprise is that these are 2018 vintage!  Right now the 2019 aromatic white wines, like Riesling are being released.  It is exciting for me, at least, to receive white wines to taste that have more than 1 year of age on them.   Let me tell you about these 2 wines. Monte Creek Ranch Riesling 2018 - this wine has a bright, pale lemon green colour.  It has a pronounced nose with aromas of lemon and grapefruit, along with touches of stone fruit and pith.  With a bit of swirling you also get a substantial petrol aroma. This wine is dry but has quite high acidity and what I really like, a very light mouthfeel.  It does have some roundness to it. You get citrus and green fruit to start then add stone fruit and crisp apple, and then some steeliness on the nose.  With some swirling you get petrol and salty minerality as well.  It finishes with a medium plus length and flavours of tart citrus and light pepperiness. Monte Creek Ranch Chardonnay 2018 - a medium plus intensity lemony gold colour in the glass. This wine has a lighter intensity nose showing ripe tropical fruits, butterscotch and light toast.  There is also a butteriness to the nose.  Surely this wine has 100% malolactic fermentation!  It is dry with lower acidity and fuller body giving you a round, silky smooth, thicker mouthfeel. I get buttered popcorn and very ripe tropical fruit flavours and citrus.  Toastiness, ripe tropical fruit and butterscotch on the finish.  I'm thinking that this may pair really well with a smoked sablefish dish. A rich wine with a rich dish. Stay tuned for my full tasting notes on mywinepal.com. #wineoclock #wines #grape #winetourism #somm #drinkwine #whitewine #wineandfood #winelovers #wineblogger #bcwineries #bcvqa #coolclimatewine #drinklocalwine #buybcwine #mywinepallikes #bcwine #bcfoodie #winesofbc #luxury #siplovelocal https://www.instagram.com/p/CC7V0NMBTSk/?igshid=1krqd2wrgu9ni

[mywinepal]

Back to the Future with Gold Hill Merlot 2014 and Cabernet Merlot 2017

Back to the Future with Gold Hill #Merlot 2014 and #Cabernet Merlot 2017 #bcwine #somm @goldhillwinery @winebcdotcom #bcvqa #SipLoveLocal

Gold Hill Winery founders in the vineyard (Image courtesy Peacock and Martin Imports)

Here are two big red wines from Gold Hill Winery from Oliver in the South Okanagan.  Both are Merlot based.  Their Gold Hill Merlot 2014 coming in at 16.1% alc, and their Gold Hill Cabernet Merlot 2017.  It is interesting that the Merlot has a screw cap, while the Cabernet Merlot has a cork closure, with the…

[mywinepal]

Two Fresh BC Wines from Monte Creek Ranch and Harper's Trail For the Summer

Two Fresh BC Wines from Monte Creek Ranch and Harper's Trail for #summer @harperstrail @MonteCreekRanch #siplovelocal #bcvqa #bcwine #somm #exploreKamloops

Summer sunshine

It’s definitely summer time with all the sun and heat!  I’m not complaining, but thinking about which wines would be nice to drink on these hot days.  I have 2 BC wines for you; a white from Harper’s Trail Estate Winery, and a red from Monte Creek Ranch.  Both are soft and full of fresh fruit.  Ideal for summer.  Enjoy!

My Tasting Notes

Harper’s Trail Estate Winery Field Blend…

[mywinepal]

Hands Up if You Like BC Rosé and Red Blends!

Hands Up if You Like BC Rosé and Red Blends! Here are 2 from @MonteCreekRanch #bcvqa #bcwine #somm #Kamloops @TourismKamloops @winebcdotcom #siplovelocal

Hands Up if you like BC Red blends and Rosé wines.  That is what I have for you from Monte Creek Ranch from Kamloops.  The Monte Creek Ranch Hands Up Red 2017 recently won a gold medal at the 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships.  And won 8 medals all together for their wines. Congratulations.

My Tasting Notes

Monte Creek Ranch Rosé 2019(BC $1899) – This rosé wine is  made with a North American…

[mywinepal]

A Good Way to Enjoy the Summer with Harper's Trail Rose and Pinot Gris 2019

A Good Way to Enjoy the #Summer with Harper's Trail Rose and Pinot Gris 2019 @harperstrail #Kamloops @winebcdotcom #bcvqa #bcwine @TourismKamloops #siplovelocal

Harper’s Trail entrance

I have been fortunate to receive the latest Rosé and Pinot Gris wines from Harper’s Trail Estate Winery in Kamloops. Tasting them, I can say that they are made for summer drinking. If you need some place to visit in BC during COVID-19, why not drive up to Kamloops?  You can visit Harper’s Trail, Privato, Monte Creek Ranch, and Sagewood Winery.  It’s about a 4 hr drive…