If you travel south down Highway 97 between Penticton and Oliver, you will find one of the hidden gems of British Columbia. Blue Mountain Vineyards overlook Vaseux Lake and provide amazing terroir to produce some of the most elegant and balanced wines I have tasted in the wilds of Canada.
Blue Mountain, for me, is the finest producer of sparkling wine in the country, and their Gold Label Brut has to be the best value you will find anywhere. Now, anyone who can make great bubbly must have some Pinot Noir floating around, and that is where I believe this winery will make its next mark.
Pinot Noir is all about terroir, and Blue Mountain now has three single vineyard options that I was lucky enough to get in Calgary this winter. They sold out in a single weekend this year, so you will have to be on-the-ball to avoid missing out this coming winter. Just so you know, I will be at the front of the line blocking and I have very sharp elbows.
Wild Terrain piqued my interest; it combines strong herbal notes with an earthiness to create unmistakable character. Gravel Force is full-bodied with a much darker fruit profile and stronger tannic backbone. River Flow, as the name suggests, is like a ride down a smooth flowing river. It is easy and elegant in style with great balance and bright cherry fruit.
If these wines sell out early again, don’t dismay; the Reserve Cuvee Pinot Noir is more readily found and their Gamay Noir is quite the crowd pleaser as well, especially on a summer day. I like it chilled as they sometimes do in Beaujolais.
The wines in Okanagan Falls are maturing as the vines gain age and will only get better and better. We need to support these very talented winemakers to keep Canada’s wine industry strong and vibrant.
