I enthusiastically grab Okanagan wines. I am impressed with what they are doing and there results speak for themselves. They are coming in with good quality wines at acceptable prices. Given the size of this region the fact we in Ontario get any is a statement of an industry that thinks beyond it’s own borders. They could easily consume it all in B.C. and say … to Ontario (and the rest of the world!). B.C. is not a cheap area to make wine in (neither is Niagara). So if we are to support a wine industry we need to be willing to pay a little more. Or so I think anyway. Onto the wine. Upon opening I get a smack on varietal Chard with mild notes. The reviewer said peach, I don’t get that at all. The color is a lighter yellow. Not quite pale, not quite deep. So I from this I new what to expect. Sure enough … The wine has been crafted in the Californian style. It has the some butteryness one expects from Malolactic fermentation as well as some creaminess from Sur lie . I am guessing about this because the bottle was not explicit but the tastes are there. The fruit is mild in flavor but definitely varietal. I would put this one just north of the middle of the road as Chards go. If you prefer a Chablis then this one will not be to your tastes. The wine is not overly sweet either. The finish is medium. All in all this is a well crafted wine. I would give this one an 88-89. I paired it with Fettucine Alfredo and it went ok. I think a Sauv blanc would have gone better. I find the creaminess of some Chards can fight with a cream based sauce. A crisper more acidic wine would have cut through the fats in the Alfredo sauce better. But then you never know what to expect from Chards and the bottle was no help either.
From Winecurrent.com:
Quails Gate Chardonnay 2006 VQA Okanagan Valley. 14% alcohol An interesting nose of green apple mineral notes and fennel introduce this medium-bodied very generously textured gem. We see far too few from B.C. Reach with both hands for this one it’s gorgeous. Aromas and warm flavours of citrus peach honeydew melon and spice abound. It’s complex deftly balanced well structured and finishes dry and lengthy. Lovely sipped on its own it pairs well with pan-seared firm fish like Tuna. (VH) U.S.A.: White Wine (377770) $19.95 Featured 5/23/2009. 4.5/5 stars
