Notes on Grapes and Hops

Friday evening we were invited to attend Grapes and Hops, an annual event put on by the Arbutus Club. A number of BC wines were on available for tasting, and with plenty of good food to be had, we took our time tasting and grazing our way around the room. Mike sampled a couple of beers, but for the most part we both stuck to tasting the wine offerings.

It was a treat to discovery the Similkameen Valley's Seven Stones Winery. We were served the 2007 Chardonnay and the 2006 Meritage, both of which were fabulous. The Chardonnay was fruity and buttery, but a good balance of both. The Meritage, which has just been recently released, was a bold smooth red, with complex flavours of cherry and chocolate to sooth the senses. Although the price point is between the $20 and $35 dollar range, the wines will hold their own and be worth another look. We look forward to a visit to the winery in 2009.

Another highlight for us was talking to the reps from Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery. This is a sister winery to Mission Hill Winery (Prospect's wine is bottled at Mission Hill), that provides a strong selection of fine wines for under $20 per bottle. There are plans to build a tasting room in the Oliver area of the South Okanagan, possibly on the Black Sage Bench where their grapes are planted.

We previously tried the 2006 Ogopogo's Lair Pinot Grigio and the 2006 Birch Canoe Pinot Blanc, both of which we found enjoyable enough to purchase again and both of which have won numerous awards.

Other wineries represented were Cedar Creek, Nk'Mip, Poplar Grove, Mission Hill, Sandhill, Red Rooster, Quinta Ferreira and Stag's Hollow. Probably because this was the Arbutus Club, Poplar Grove was pouring some of their good stuff, which at over $40/bottle, we usually don't get to taste.