Welcome to summer! To celebrate, we present a story on a winery in Summerland: The Okanagan Crush Pad (OCP). Overlooking Okanagan Lake, the OCP has four distinct wine brands, and this week Narrative Wines is in the spotlight.
If you want to toast to the beginning of summer, the Narrative 2019 XC Sparkling ($24.90) is a great choice! Made from grapes grown in Summerland and Oliver, the secondary fermentation produces the bubbles by the Charmat method in sealed tanks.
With a pale orange-pink hue in the glass, the XC enjoys a fresh bouquet of red summer fruit. I love the abundant froth of bubbles and sweet and sour flavours as strawberries and red currants encounter the lively acid. It leaves you smacking your lips as you salute to the start of summer.
Because it has more body and depth of flavour than white sparklers as well as lots of acidity, pink bubblies can go with a variety of foods. B.C. spot prawns are in season and the XC with prawns sautéed in garlic butter would be a timely choice. Veal, pork, or chicken schnitzel would be another tasty match.
Meanwhile the Narrative 2018 Riesling ($22.90) is an energetic white loaded with personality! The grapes are fermented in stainless steel and concrete at low temperatures producing a slow fermentation. As a result the wine displays fresh and zesty aromas and flavours.
It reminds me of a South Australian Riesling with its citrus nose, whiff of petrol, and lots of lime flavour and minerals. The label accurately states it possesses “racy acidity”. It’s like an electric current that pumps vitality and energy into the wine. And it ends with a racing finish that goes on and on. A kiss of residual sugar keeps the wine from being too tart.
This Narrative demands food to go along with it. Oysters on the half shell or Moroccan carrot soup with mussels, harissa, and cumin would be heavenly with this Riesling extrovert.
Our final salute to the wines of Narrative is their 2018 Syrah Viognier ($27.90). The grapes were sourced from two vineyards in the South Okanagan. Some of the grapes were co-fermented on the skins for nine months in clay amphora to bring out the aromatics and enhance the silky texture. Extra Syrah was
fermented in concrete and aged in amphora to bring out the spiciness and add complexity while showcasing the rich fruit.
Expect a fragrant aroma of black pepper and blueberry. On the palate there’s ample complexity with smoked meat and ripe blueberry blackberry fruit. Smooth, fresh and tasty! Match with smoky barbecued ribs or grilled lamb burgers for an informal bbq summer dinner.
The Okanagan Crush Pad opens daily beginning Saturday June 20 from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Visitors will discover an exciting new format. An online booking system guarantees a private table to enjoy one of four tasting flights, offerings in a safe, peaceful vineyard setting. There’s a maximum of six guests per table and tasting fees begin at $25 per person.
Finally, online wine orders will receive $20 off the cost of shipping for orders of 12 bottles or more.
