Harbor Steps, 1st Ave & University (downtown Seattle)
6:30-8:30 pm - $25 plus cheese! (Sold Out)
Uncorked members curious about the Okanagan wines but who never had a chance to travel up to Canada came to this informa tasting to check them out! It's not all ice wine like some may think! The region is exploding and Sommelier & Seattle Uncorked Founder David LeClaire had just visited the Okanagan and brought back a wide selection some of his personal favorites of wines that you can't get in the US! Members had to have a Seattle Uncorked membership card to get into this event in the Terrace Room at the Harbor Steps.
Thinking of going to Canada to visit the Okanagan wine country? If so, I'd like to share a few tips, suggestions, and advice with you! Below you will see some of the highlights from the areas of Oliver and Penticton, BC. We went to many wineries and tried a LOT of wines! The below wines were all wines I selected as my favorites per winery that we visited. If I wasn't fond of the wineries reds, I bought their best white. I KNOW Canada can do great whites. So I was more on a quest to prove they can do great reds. Below is the best of what we tried in Oliver and Penticton, as we didn't make as far north as Kelowna.
Many wineries in Canada buy their grapes, or juice, from Chile/Argentina. Those with a designation of VQA are 100% Canadian fruit from the BC area. Those with 2 **'s below are wines that after bringing back a selection of our favorite wines and re-tasting them with our Seattle Uncorked wine club, these wines proved to be the most popular. If you love wine, and want to visit Okanagan wine country, or would simply like to see a bit of the wine scene there, I am happy to share with you! I welcome your questions and feedback.
Best wishes,
David LeClaire, Sommelier
REDS
Golden Mile/ Road 13
** 2006 Golden Mile Cellars Zinfandel
Two favorites from this more well0known winery. They also have a location in Ontario. Both were elegant, polished, refined versions of Cab and Merlot. VQA
Jackson-Triggs
** 2004 Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Meritage
This was a crowd pleaser with it's subtle yet rich fruit, pretty finish. Huge winery but well made wine, one of the only wines available in the U.S. VQA
Kettle Valley
** 2006 Kettle Valley Cabernet/Merlot
From the "famous" Naramata Bench north of Penticton, this little winery makes 386 cases of this wine. With a better label you'd think was a world class wine. Although Cab?Merlot blends are not as popular in the US, this wine is well made, although it's stated 12.8% alchohol seems a bit low for the heat this wine has.
Another Naramata Bench wine, this Cab has a bit of an earthy, vegetal sense about it, but was remarkably interesting and unique yet balanced and soft. Not mentioned as VQA but states it's all Canadian fruit.
We didn't get up to Kelowna so relied on advice of others. This wine at 14.8% alchohol was a bit hot and earthy, slightly high in acid. Yet at the tasting many liked it. Blaufrankisch is also called Lemberger. VQA
This winery was very high-class, and had many good wines. The Riesling and the Merlot rocked our world. Great place for lunch and a good view too! Located just over the border into Canada in Osoyoos. VQA
This 'Meritage" has only 75% Merlot and 25% Cab, Everyone who tried this wine seemed to like it. I thought it was smooth, velvet finish, and pleasant for another 14.5% alchohol wine. VQA
Okanogan Estate
** 2004 Okanogan Estate Bench Rock Red
One of my favorite "Okanagan" wines, this winery is located on the U.S. side of the Okanagan Valley and is jammy and intense. The only Washington State Okanagan winery we tasted, and can be found in U.S.
We tried a LOT of Pinot Noir up in BC, and most left a lot to be desired. This wine came highly suggested since we didn't have time to make it to Kelowna. VQA
Located in Penticton overlooking Okanagan Lake, this wine is a bot on the tart cherry but fun to sip on. This wine is almost Zin like. Well respected winery. VQA.
Another winery we didn't personally visit but came highly recommended. The 14.5% alchohol was insignificant and the structure of the wine with nice acid made the winery world class and one of my favorites. VQA
Nice, well-rounded fruit forward, peppery Cab. As you look for good reds in BC, this winery is well respected and on the larger side so easier to find. VQA
SEPT. 15 - BC/OKANAGAN WINE COUNTRY TASTING 
