Following my previous column reviewing Hillside Winery’s Viognier and Syrah, today I’m discussing another white and red from this exciting Naramata winery in the central Okanagan
First up, the 2019 Hillside Gewurztraminer. I’m usually not a fan of this grape but I was very impressed with Hillside’s version. In the glass this Gewurz displays a medium straw colour which suggests it has plenty of character; many Gewurztraminers are watery in appearance.
The floral and fruity aroma leaps out of the glass with rose petal and citrus. On the palate there is a rich ripe rose flavour with a squeeze of grapefruit and a pinch of herbs. There’s a bit of bitterness on the mid palate but there’s plenty of acidity to counteract that and make the wine truly alive. Many Gewurztraminers suffer from a lack of acidity, the life force of any wine. Not the Hillside!
Overall, it’s an exotic dry white with plenty to admire and a juicy citrus finish to remember it by. Normally I would only drink a small glass of Gewurztraminer. But I would definitely have a couple of good-sized glasses of the Hillside! It was an excellent match with the Brome Lake Duck à l’Orange I prepared.
My choice for a Hillside red was the 2018 Merlot ($24). I first encountered this wine when my wife and I did a tasting at the winery in September. We had a table to ourselves in the vineyard with David our sommelier leading the tasting. We later went to their Bistro where I ordered another glass of the Hillside Merlot to go with my small plate dinner of Hot Chicken Salad with mixed greens and artichokes and Pulled Pork Tacos.
The Merlot’s generous aroma reveals red fruit with vanilla and light toast. In the mouth there’s plenty of plum and black cherry with refreshing acidity, moderate tannins, and a dark chocolate finish Enjoy with a porchetta recipe or braised short ribs in a Merlot braise along with chimichurri sauce. And for dessert, enjoy some dark chocolate with a final sip of the elegant Merlot.
In other news, Hillside Winery announced that Executive Chef Evan Robertson has joined the Hillside Bistro Team. His years of culinary experience and creativity to the table will bring The Bistro dining experience to the next level for 2021. The Bistro at Hillside will reopen this Wednesday, March 17. It’ll be open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. for dinner and take-Out. Reservations are required.
The Hillside Tasting Room is also reopening on March 17, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only.
Eric Hanson is a life-long Richmond resident, retired teacher and wine educator. Eric has also taught wine appreciation courses in Richmond and throughout Metro Vancouver for many years. He continues to be a journalistic ambassador for the enchanting world of wine through his weekly column.
