Okanagan Wines

Getting Oriented

A great source of information about Okanagan wines is the British Columbia Wine Institute (www.winebc.com). The website includes a helpful guide to BC wines, as well as detailed itinerary suggestions for Okanagan wine touring. It also includes a calendar of wine-related dinners, tastings, and other events around the province.

A Drop of History

Most wine experts agree that back in the dark ages (aka the 1970s), the wine produced in British Columbia was, to put it charitably, plonk. Okanagan Riesling and sparkling Lambrusco were the best sellers. Beginning in the late 1970s, however, growers began replacing their vines with high-quality Vinifera varieties to start producing more sophisticated wines. In 1984, BC had 13 wineries; today there are more than 300.

What to Drink

In British Columbia overall, the top white varietals are Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc. The top reds are Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. Many Okanagan wineries also produce ice wine, a late-harvest dessert wine made from grapes that have frozen on the vine.

What is VQA?

British Columbia wines that carry a "VQA" (Vintners Quality Alliance) label must meet certain production and quality standards. A professional tasting panel approves each VQA wine. Participation in the VQA program is voluntary, and there are plenty of fine BC wines that have opted not to take part.

To Spit or Not to Spit?

On a daylong wine-tasting excursion, you can taste a good deal of wine. To avoid getting fatigued, or overly inebriated, do as the pros do: sip, swirl, and spit. Most wineries have a bucket on the tasting bar for that purpose, so don't be shy. You'll enjoy your tour more in the long run. And if the sample in your glass is more than you can drink, simply pour it into the bucket.

Transporting Wine

If you're buying bottles at the wineries, be sure you have some way to keep them cool, particularly in summer when soaring temperatures can spoil them quickly. If you must transport wine in your car, put it in a cooler or keep it on ice.

Most wineries will ship wines for you, but only within Canada; the majority cannot send wine over the border. If you're traveling back to the United States, have your wine packed for travel and transport it yourself.

Uh-oh: Sold Out?

It's not uncommon for smaller Okanagan wineries to sell out of their wine in a given year. And when there's limited wine left, they generally close or reduce the hours in their tasting rooms. If you have your heart set on visiting a particular winery, check its website or phone in advance to be sure it has wine available.