WL OKANAGAN // grapes
THE OKANAGAN GRAPE CHEAT SHEET
Or how to separate your pinots and sound like a somm on your next winery visit.
Chardonnay
Merlot
Acres Planted 996 Best Area Black Sage Bench and Naramata Bench are notable, but there are great pockets from Kelowna South. Characteristics Can go from Chablis-like minerality (Tantalus Juveniles) to California-style butteriness (Time Winery). Standout Bottle Sperling Chardonnay is fresh but never austere and an absolute steal at $26. Absolutely delicious.
Acres Planted 1,564 Best Area Oliver and Osoyoos. Characteristics Okanagan merlot is the biggest, baddest merlot around with loads of structure, powerful fruit and great acid to balance it all out. Even Paul Giamatti would be convinced. Standout Bottle Vanessa Vineyard Right Bank ($40): Ripe Similkameen fruit held in place with some medium firm tannins reminiscent of its homage—Right Bank Bordeaux.
Acres Planted 510 Best Area Kelowna north to Lake Country. Characteristics Either steely with laser-focused acidity or slightly sweet with laser-focused acidity. Standout Bottles So many, but when it comes right down to it, the Tantalus Old Vines Riesling ($30) may be the consistently best bottle of any varietal made in the Okanagan.
Merlot: Sherry Camp; Riesling: Sonsam
Riesling