There are few things more gratifying than indulging in a glass of chilled, delicious wine on a summer’s day. Here are three excellent options to enjoy this season.
Spearhead White Pinot Noir
Located in East Kelowna, Spearhead Winery specializes in cool-climate varieties such as riesling, chardonnay, and pinot noir. Winemaker and general manager Grant Stanley (formerly of Quails’ Gate Winery and 50th Parallel Estate Winery) is a whiz with these varietals, but he especially loves the darling of Burgundy: pinot noir. So much so that he makes a rarely found white version with this red-skinned grape by gently pressing the grapes and allowing minimal skin contact with the juice, preventing any colour from leaching out. The result is a delightfully crisp white with aromas of peach and honey.
Mission Hill Brigadier’s Bluff Rosé
Mission Hill Family Estate’s Terroir Collection pays homage to the uniqueness of specific vineyard sites within the Okanagan’s diverse microclimates. One of those—Brigadier’s Bluff, sits on the eastern side of Osoyoos. Here, merlot, syrah, and cabernet franc are harvested to produce the estate’s premium pink. This pale peachy/pink version delivers notes of strawberry jellies, rhubarb, and peach stone. Juicy, yet dry and composed.
Sperling Sper…itz
Although Kelowna’s Sperling Vineyards was established as a wine label in 2008, vines were first planted on this family estate in the 1920s and have been producing wine since the 1930s. Today, Ann Sperling—who is passionate about organic and biodynamic viticulture, and producing minimal-intervention wines—steers the winemaking. Within Sperling’s Market series is the charming and spritzy Sper…itz. Made from the fragrant muscat varietal, this sweet but refreshing white offers candied apricot, orange blossom, and lime aromas. It dances on the tongue and pairs nicely with cheese, or desserts made with fruit.
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