6 White Blends Worth Warbling About

A sure sign of spring is the return of the BC Common White Blend (vini album misceo communi). This familiar visitor brings reassuring proof that warmer temperatures are right around the corner. Chances are you’ll find it catching a few rays in a sunny corner of your patio or deck—or chilling in the birdbath—around lunchtime, or early evening before sunset.

Here’s a flock of recent sightings:

Kitsch Block Party 2019. (BC VQA Okanagan Valley)

Well, how can you resist a name like that? Plus any wine that’s mainly Riesling (70%) is probably going to make us chirpy. Sure, there are token splashes of Pinot Gris (15%), Chardonnay (10%) and Pinot Noir (5%) in a mix that delivers tropical and orchard fruits up front with plenty of citrus and mid palate juiciness. But—of course—the Riesling shines through to the end. Yup, it’s a real ‘drink don’t think’ kind of off-dry drop—but a good one. 90 pts. $21. Free shipping on four bottles or more, from the winery.

Intrigue Social White 2019 (BC VQA Okanagan Valley)

I’m guessing that when it comes to making a white blend Intrigue owner and winemaker Roger Wong pretty well has it down. He made wine at Gray Monk for many years, including the odd batch of Latitude 50. Roger has established Intrigue as a winery that delivers excellent value for money. And this wine’s no exception. Riesling is the backbone, with an off-dry style that allows it to show through but also work nicely with Gewurz.—the other main grape—plus small drops of Chardonnay, Muscat Canelli, Ehrenfelser and Kerner. Buckets of lemon lime and green apple make this just what it was intended to be: a refreshing, juicy sipper, with relatively low alcohol (11.2%). This one’s high in the pecking order. 90 pts. $15

Quails’ Gate Chasselas, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc 2019 (BC VQA Okanagan Valley)

A mainstay in the portfolio, I’m intrigued that Quails Gate hasn’t come up with a bird-friendly name for it. I have a suggestion. How about ‘Topknot’—what some birdwatchers use to refer to the plume on top of the Quail’s head? Here’s a wine with a bit of history. Planted first by the Stewarts in 1961, Chasselas was one of the earliest successful vinifera in the Okanagan. This vintage shows forward orchard fruit and floral notes with good mouthfeel on the palate, grapefruit and lemon zest wrapped in firm acidity. 89 pts. $17.99 (wine club $15.29).

Sperling Market White 2018 (BC VQA Okanagan Valley)

Here’s a wine with considerable heritage, a certified organic blend of old vines (Bacchus, Pinot Blanc and Riesling) from the Okanagan’s longest planted known site, in east Kelowna’s Mission. It’s a also testament to the foresight of those who pioneered these varieties. Floral and orchard fruit aromas followed by a well balanced, juicy palate of apricot, peach pit and grapefruit, all in an easy sipping, low alcohol (10.6%) style. Excellent value, even more so for an organic drop. 91 pts. $19.10. Currently all Organic Market Series wines are ‘Buy 5 get 6, plus Free Shipping’.

vinAmité Chanson d’Amour 2019 (Okanagan Valley)

From one of the south valley’s more ‘under the radar’ wineries. (Make sure you plan to visit when it becomes feasible.) This blend of Chardonnay (35%), Pinot Gris (33%) and Orange Muscat (32%) adds up to the perfect sipper, although I’d also be inclined to to try it with lightly spiced dishes. Floral and orange blossom on top with a palate balanced by vibrant fruit and good acidity, with stone fruit, peach and citrus notes—plus a touch of orange and honey through the finish. 90 pts. $22.90. Guaranteed to channel your inner Edith Piaf or Manhattan Transfer. It’s included in their Hibernation 101 Six Pack.

Winemakers Cut Boho Beat  2019 (BC VQA Okanagan Valley)

 A blend of Gewürztraminer (30%), Kerner (30%), Riesling (24%) and Viognier (15%). Up front stonefruit floral and tropical notes with definite rose petal from the Gewurz. Well balanced green apple, orange and vibrant citrus, as well as some mineral undertones, good mouthfeel, bright acidity and a touch of spice through the finish. A cut above your typical sipper, that would play well with a wide range of flavours from lighter seafood dishes to charcuterie and Waldorf salad. 90 pts. $22

You could say, ‘It’s a real tweet…’ ;-)

vinAmité patio