Now is the time to research and plan a wine vacation once we are given the green light on travel and more social interaction. Naramata is a great choice being just a few minutes drive from Penticton. And it's a tiny region with small charming wineries -- often family owned that offers a more personal tasting experience.
Terravista Vineyards is one such destination. It’s a unique winery in Naramata, established in 2007 by Okanagan wine pioneers Bob and Senka Tennant. They had earlier built Black Hills Estate Winery in Oliver with their Nota Bene becoming an iconic red with a huge cult following.
After the sale of Black Hills, the Tennants established Terravista on the Naramata Bench, specializing in small-lot French Rhone and Spanish white varieties. Recently, the Tennants decided to retire and sold Terravista to Eric and Dallas Thor but are retained as consultants during the transition.
One of my favourite wines is the Terravista Figaro. At the Save-on VQA store in Richmond, I picked up the 2014 vintage ($23.29). Normally I avoid a white wine that is more than two years old; it will usually lose a lot of its freshness and charm due to oxidation.
Fortunately, this was not the case with the five-year-old Figaro! It’s a blend of three grapes which are native to the Rhone: Roussanne, Viognier, and Marsanne. This tasty white displayed a fresh honeysuckle, quince and apple bouquet along with a delicious amount of fruit and acid -- vital characteristics that usually disappear as whites age. According to winemaker Senka Tennat, “Roussanne is well-known for its ageability.” The 2014 was a perfect partner with the Chicken Madras Curry I cooked last week.
I enjoyed the fuller body and creamy texture due to the grapes and the 14-per-cent alcohol content. My wife alerted me to the hint of petrol, which you usually experience in aged Rieslings. I’m fond of that scent but not everyone likes it.
I always taste some of the same wine the next day to see the effect that 24 hours of exposure to the air makes. I did notice the freshness and fruitiness had dropped and there was a bitter finish that the recently opened wine didn’t suffer from. My advice: drink all of the 2014 Figaro on the day you opened it.
The 2018 Figaro ($26) is available at the winery and if you taste this with the 2014 Figaro alongside, you will have an excellent lesson on how age can alter personality of a wine. While you’re at it, get the 2018 Fandango ($25), a delicious white made from Albariño (63 per cent) and Verdejo (37 per cent), two Spanish grapes. Olé.
Order online at Terravista's website. Purchase six or more bottles and receive free delivery.
Last week I told you about The View Winery in South-East Kelowna as a great destination in the Okanagan and reviewed their Pinotage Reserve. I have since opened up their 2017 Pinot Noir ($23.19).
It displays a dazzling Burgundy colour and opens with a red cherry and strawberry bouquet. On the palate the Pinot reveals cranberry, raspberry, and cloves with a smoky earthy flavour. Tasting it on its own shows the tannins are still young. But matching it with roast lamb softened the tannins and enhanced the cherry character.
The View Winery offers free shipping until May 15 so you can enjoy a selection of tasty Okanagan wines for the Victoria Day weekend: theviewwinery.com
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.
