| BC BEST OF THE HARVEST |
that, you’re also formulating when to pick—and exactly what to do with that fruit when it comes in.” Krehbiel adds, “But as much as it’s all about the science, so much is still based on flavour. At the end of the day, that’s what’s so exciting to me. Just seeing how that vintage is starting to show itself in the fruit.” Blasted Church winemaker Evan Saunders compares harvest to “an endless game of Tetris; trying to figure out what goes where, especially when something happens that changes everything, whether it’s too much or too little fruit, or maybe a piece of equipment that fails. Every subsequent piece of the puzzle has to be changed!” Despite the stress of long days and sleepless nights, Saunders revels in fall as one of his favourite seasons. “Even though it was a slow start to the year, summer is always pretty hot and dry. We just hope for a nice extended fall, and we’ll still be looking pretty good. With those mid-20 degrees Celsius days, cooler nights and the leaves changing, it’s just a beautiful time to be in the valley.” Meanwhile, Clos du Soleil’s Clark sums up harvest perfectly. “What we’re trying to do every vintage is to grow grapes that are as distinctive as possible in terms of representing the terroir in terms of the region, the Similkameen. I want every wine to tell a story— about the place and about the year.”
FORT BERENS RIESLING BC VQA $21.99 641357 Upfront orchard fruits, rose petal and tropical notes lead to a gently off-dry palate with vibrant, juicy, zesty green apple and lemon-lime flavours.
CLOS DU SOLEIL CÉLESTIALE BC VQA $29.99 947002 This Merlot-dominant Bordeaux blend, with forward red and black fruit, showcases a plush, approachable raspberry and blackberry palate with complex spicy hints.
MONTE CREEK LIVING LAND SPARKLING ROSÉ BC VQA $21.99 228385 This sparkling rosé is made from 100 percent estate-grown Marquette. Expect lively bubbles and forward notes of red fruit and citrus before a juicy and crisp strawberry and watermelon- toned palate. A very food-friendly pour.
PHANTOM CREEK ESTATES ESTATE CABERNET FRANC BC VQA $41.99 90203 This Cabernet Franc sources fruit from Black Sage and Golden Mile Bench. Vibrant raspberry and blackberry flavours are backed by good acidity and
hints of spice and sage through to a lengthy finish.
BLASTED CHURCH HATFIELD’S FUSE BC VQA $19.99 734475 This blend of several white varieties sports floral, orchard and stone fruit aromas before a lush citrus
MISSION HILL RESERVE MERLOT BC VQA $29.99 772244 Sourced from south Okanagan estate vineyards, this wine is plush and plummy with blackberry and cedar notes supported by approachable, well-integrated tannins leading to a lengthy finish.
and green apple palate. Chicken and cream pasta sauces are perfect pairing partners.
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