Enjoy some BC Pinot Gris this summer

I thought to help summer along, I'd point out some white wines that you may be interested in trying on your patio. Today I'd like to focus on BC Pinot Gris. I think BC Pinot Gris are very nicely made. They typically have a lot of nice ripe stone fruit, e.g. peach, flavours, apples, and good acidity to make them refreshing in your mouth. Try with some seafood this summer too.

A quick search on the EverythingWine.ca website, came up with 28 BC Pinot Gris in the $15-$25 range.

Arrowleaf Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$18.99
Black Widow Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$24.99
Cassini Cellars Pinot Gris 750mL	Pinot Gris	$15.99
Chase & Warren Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$18.99
Church & State Wines Pinot Gris 750mL	Pinot Gris	$23.99
Desert Hills Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$24.99
Gray Monk Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$16.99
Herder Vineyards Pinot Gris 750ml	Pinot Gris	$21.99
Hester Creek Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$16.99
Hillside Estate Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$22.99
Hillside Estate Unoaked Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$23.99
Kalala Organic Estate Winery Pinot Gris 2008 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$21.99
Kettle Valley Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$24.99
Lake Breeze Vineyards Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$21.99
Lang Vineyards Pinot Gris 750ml	Pinot Gris	$19.99
Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$18.99
Nichol Pinot Gris 750ml	Pinot Gris	$23.99
Pentage Pinot Gris Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$24.99
Poplar Grove 2008 Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$24.99
Red Rooster Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$17.99

Saltspring Vineyards Pinot Gris 750 ml	Pinot Gris	$19.99
Sperling Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$23.99
Thornhaven Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$21.99
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Pinot Gris 750ml	Pinot Gris	$16.99
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Pinot Gris 750ml	Pinot Gris	$18.99
Township 7 Pinot Gris 750ml	Pinot Gris	$23.99
Van Westen Vino Grigio Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$23.99
Wild Goose Vineards Pinot Gris 750 mL	Pinot Gris	$21.99

I've talked about some of these wines and/or wineries in the past on www.mywinepal.com or on my blog. The Van Westen Vino Grigio Pinot Gris, Thornhaven Pinot Gris, and Black Widow Pinot Gris are a few I'd like to select out as ones that I have enjoyed in the past.
Thornhaven Pinot Gris 2008: Very aromatic. Apple, peach and spice on the nose. Apple and other fruits. Spicy. Quite full bodied.

Van Westen Vino Grigio Pinot Gris 2007: Medium straw colour. Aromas of apple and spice. Citrus and spice on the palate. Full mouthfeel and good acidity.

Black Widow Pinot Gris 2008: Light lemon colour. Nice tropical fruit aroma with light oak. Good acidity. Apple, plum and spice on the palate.

So raise a toast to the start of summer and enjoy some BC Pinot Gris! Cheers.

Thornhaven Winery - A small gem

November 30, 2008 11:07:00
Posted By Wine With Karl

I enjoy discoverng small wineries that are producing quality wines, then letting other people know about them. Thornhaven winery in Summerland, BC is one of those wineries. I came across this winery two years ago doing an Okanagan tasting weekend. Each wine in their portfolio was very well made, full of fruit, but with structure. Two wines stood out for me at the time. The first was their pinot grigio. Most grigios have a variety of citrus, peach, mango flavour with soft acidity, not as much as you would get on a Sauvignon Blanc. Thornhaven's pinot grigio tasted like a juicy red grapefruit. It was so refreshing and would have been a great pairing with grilled seafood. The other wine I really enjoyed was their Pinot Meunier. This is a red grape, that is used in the Champagne region, in the blend with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to produce Champange. It is fruiter than pinot noir. Thornhaven's pinot meunier had a nice cherry and red fruit aromas and flavours. There was also some coffee flavour. This wine is hard to find, outside of going to the Thornhaven winery.

The last wine of note, which I have not yet tasted, is their 2006, Gewurztraimer, as it won double gold at the Canadian Wine Awards. I was able to buy a bottle, but am waiting for the right occasion, to open it with friends. For those that haven't tried Gewurztraimer, think of lychee fruit with some sweet spices. This is known as the spicy grape in Germany. Try pairing it with a light blue cheese, chicken satay, pate, or chinese food. Enjoy!