What BC wines should I look out for?

As some of you may know, my wife and I will be in Vancouver on vacation from July 10-22. I intend to do my best to drink only BC wines while I am there (since many of the province's wines never make it to Ontario).

What varietals should I look out for? From my experience, I would have to say that Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are probably-possibly the best/most interesting BC wines.

All guidance gratefully accepted.

Thanks.

[Jenise]

You're right about pinot gris and pinot noir, Bruce. From there I'd go straight to a Best Producers list, because you shouldn't pass up ANY wine made by La Frenz--their Semillon, Viognier and Sauv Blanc are spectacular, and ditto their reds of which my favorite is a PN blend called Montage. Gewurzes can be interesting, they tend to be an un-Alsatian style that are drier and lighter than their European cousins. Wild Goose gets a lot of accolades for their whites, too, but I've not personally had any.

I would add Burrowing Owl, Blue Mountain, Poplar Grove, Cedar Creek and Nota Bene to the Producer A List. Bill might add others.

Bruce:

When I was there a few years ago one of the best local wines I had was a La Frenz Semillon from the Okanagan Valley.

I'm sure locals will chime in but if you want a 3-yr-old trip report, it's here:

http://www.wineloverspage.com/user_subm ... 62210.html


cheers,

Patchen

We went to Okanagan last Summer, and I tried a bunch of things. Blue Mountain Pinot Noir was the best thing I drank, but there were a number of good Pinot Gris and Pinot Blancs. And some good Riesling, as well. Most interesting place.

[Jenise]

Steve--agreed. Blue Mountain pinot noir and pinot gris are the best wines in the Valley. I like Cedar Creek's pinots too, in particular the less-oaked regular over the reserve.

All bases seem to be well covered!! In my view, Cedar Creek, La Frenz, Sandhill all tops.
Bruce, there should be some good tasting notes here and on the old forum page, as a few of us have been known to open and report on some Okanagan wines!! Agree some of the Pinots are superb. Could go on, good luck. Wave as u pass over Alberta!

Thanks to everyone who added their two cents' worth. Have made a list of everything and will carry it with me.

Already discovered that a few of the named producers' wines are available at our first evening's restaurant, the Raincity Grill.