BC Reds Only Please

Quail's Gate Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir: Exquisite

It was a full day for us – we attended three back-to-back events at the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, plus had a quick sampling at the Trade Tasting.

On Friday morning we attended BC Reds Reach for the Top, a wine seminar moderated by David Scholefield and Anthony Gismondi. The focus was on how the red wines in BC have achieved or surpassed exceptional international acclaim. Scholefield states that all things contribute to the distinctive style of the wines in the growing stage, specifically because of BC's terroir.

Of course, with the many growing factors and different winemaking styles that BC wineries have, it is a great opportunity to produce diverse red wines.  Since much of the south Okanagan terrain consists of sand and rock, it generally retains very little or no water.  As a result, the winemakers have more control over the amount of irrigation in the vineyard, and this results in the concentrated flavours and freshness of BC red wines.  The "cool" (or as Scholefield would suggest, "cold") climate concept is cool – the south Okanagan reaps the benefits by having the best place on earth to grow grapes in a way that no other place can, and the world is starting to pay attention.

There is a tendency for people who are new to BC red wine to compare it to Bordeaux style reds, but as Michael Bartier, winemaker for Road 13 Vineyards puts it, he doesn't make Bordeaux wines, he makes Okanagan wines. BC is lucky to be on the cusp of this exciting time for wine, and the exposure received from the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival will be a huge boost to the wine industry in our province.