Nk’Mip Cellars is one of the southernmost winery in British Columbia, nestled at the foot of rolling hills that are a good straight golf shot or two from the 49th parallel. Chief Clarence Louie and the Osoyoos Indian Band are proprietors of all this, in a strategic partnership with Constellation Brands. The wines have, over the years, maintained a remarkably high level of quality at some darn good prices, making it a winery to look for when you are shopping. The new Dreamcatcher is a lovely wine, a blend of racy riesling and charming chenin blanc, bursting with fresh peach, apricot, some pineapple, and suggestive acidity to make it great either as an aperitif wine, or with your first courses of seafoods and salads. At $17, it is a remarkable value. One of the Okanagan’s best merlots, on a perennial basis is the Qwam Qwmt merlot, $26. The 2012 is a crowd-pleaser, bursting with plum and a bit of cherry, and even some hints of clove lurking about. Extremely food-friendly, but also a testament to quality and value, for the winery, and for the region.
