Pocket-Friendly B.C. Wines

By Julianna Hayes

When it comes to wine, what do you consider good “value?”

Is it a wine that is beautifully crafted and priced within the range of products of similar style? Or does good value equal cheap? For most people, the latter is the obvious answer and yet the expectations of superior quality are taken for granted.

There’s no question that wine prices around the world have been creeping up as of late and the under $10 bottles are dwindling in rapid fashion. Fair enough, everything is more expensive these days – wine hasn’t come close to increasing in cost at the rate of gas and real estate in B.C.

Nonetheless, wine enthusiasts desire a bargain and write me frequently to complain about the inflating costs of local products. Indeed, bottles in the $30 to $50 range are not uncommon and hardly appropriate for everyday quaffing.

But I take exception to the argument that there are no “value” wines in B.C., even when the definition of cheap is applied. And to prove my point, I spent some time shopping for and sipping local vintages in the under $15 category – and there were plenty, I might add.

In fact, the B.C. LDB has 64 such products listed and that doesn’t include the bulk plonk churned out by the bucketful by the commercial arms of some local operations. And I counted 70-plus wines in this range at a Kelowna VQA shop. If you are willing to pay just a buck more, there are dozens of others.

Ok, so you are unlikely find much Okanagan Syrah or fine Pinot Noirs for under $15, but there are some perfectly quaffable red blends and lovely German aromatics that are debit-card friendly. Here is just a small selection of great value B.C. wines:

Wine Notes

95-100 Sets the bar.
90-94 Outstanding, has wow factor.
80-89 Good to very good.
70-79 Average, may have minor flaws.
60-69 Drinkable, but not recommended.
00-59 Undrinkable.


WHITES

Recline Ridge 2006 Kerner (Shuswap)
Appearance: Clear pale straw hue with a slight green tinge
Aromas: Waxy apple skin, lemon, lime, green peach, floral
Flavours: Citrus, mineral, lemon-lime, apple skin
Body and Finish: Crisp acidity on entry, bright and racy on the palate, clean and fresh on the finish
Overall Impression: A superb value worthy of stocking up for ongoing patio/hot tub sipping – can’t go wrong
Would I Buy It? Yes
Cellaring Potential: Drink now
Score: 86/100
Price: $12
Availability: VQA shops, private retailers

Recline Ridge 2006 Optima (Shuswap)
Appearance: Brilliant yellowy straw hue
Aromas: Peach, apricot nectar, honey, orange blossoms, perfume
Flavours: Peach juice, honey, mineral, nectarine
Body and Finish: Sweet entry, mouthfilling, nice acidity on the finish
Overall Impression: This is a wow wine at this price – with loads of flavour and nice acidity for balance. Might be a touch sweet for some, but superb. Serve well chilled
Would I Buy It? Absolutely
Cellaring Potential: Drink now
Score: 86/100
Price: $13.60
Availability: VQA shops, private retailers


Domaine de Chaberton 2006 Canoe North Bluff White (Fraser Valley)
Appearance: A green to yellowy tinge with some effervescence
Aromas: Grassy, green apple skin, fresh lime, pear
Flavours: Green apple, lemon-lime, mineral, green pear, tender grass
Body and Finish: Loads of crisp acidity with mineral palate and a clean, extended finish
Overall Impression: Not a crowd pleaser, but ideal for those seeking racy acidity, mineral character at an affordable price
Would I Buy It? Yes, to pair with crisp summer salads or to cook with
Cellaring Potential: Drink now
Score: 82/100
Price: $12
Availability: VQA shops, private retailers


Arrowleaf 2007 Bacchus (Okanagan Centre)
Appearance: Clear pale straw colour
Aromas: Peach, rose petals, pink grapefruit, lemon-lime
Flavours: Green apple, lemon rind, grapefruit, spice, mineral
Body and Finish: Crisp entry, lovely racy acidity on the palate, clean finish with a lingering acidity
Overall Impression: The quintessential summer sipper ideal served well chilled on hot days
Would I Buy It? Definitely
Cellaring Potential: Drink now
Score: 86/100
Price: $14
Availability: VQA shops, private retailers


Calona Artist Series 2007 Sovereign Opal (Kelowna)
Appearance: Clear, almost watery colour
Aromas: Spice, floral, slightly soapy, tropical fruit, apple, dill weed
Flavours: Apple, pear, citrus rind, spice, herbal and mineral.
Body and Finish: Slightly sweet but fresh entry, light body, clean light finish
Overall Impression: A simple but refreshing summer sipper.
Would I Buy It? Yes, to sip well chilled on the deck
Cellaring Potential: Drink now
Score: 84/100
Price: $14
Availability: BC LDB, VQA shops, private retailers



Ganton and Larson 2006 Birch Canoe Pinot Blanc (Oliver)
Appearance: Clear, pale straw colour
Aromas: Pear, grapefruit, honey, floral, mineral
Flavours: Honeyed pear, citrus rind, apple skin, mineral
Body and Finish: Slightly rounded on the palate, a bit oily in texture, clean finish
Overall Impression: Easy to drink, simple PB style, nicely affordable.
Would I Buy It? Once or twice
Cellaring Potential: Drink now
Score: 84/100
Price: $14.95
Availability: BC LDB, VQA shops, private retailers

REDS

Domaine de Chaberton 2006 Canoe North Bluff Red (Fraser Valley)
Appearance: Deep berry hues
Aromas: Black cherries, stewed plums, pepper spice
Flavours: Cooked black fruits, spice, pepper
Body and Finish: Medium body, sweet entry and simple finish
Overall Impression: A Merlot that is nice for the price, definitely a crowd pleaser and a terrific little barbecue wine.
Would I Buy It? Yes, for pocket-friendly group gulping
Cellaring Potential: Drink now, cellar up to two years
Score: 84/100
Price: $13
Availability: VQA shops, private retailers

Domaine de Chaberton 2006 Cuvée Rouge (Fraser Valley)
Appearance: Deep black cherry colour
Aromas: Plum, prune, cooked black fruit, smoked meat, roasted bell pepper, earth, black pepper Flavours: Smoke, cooked black cherry, bell pepper, herbal, black pepper,
Body and Finish: Racy, peppery palate with medium weight and spicy finish
Overall Impression: Not a wine for everyone, but will appeal to those who like earthy, peppery wines – should be opened and allowed to breath
Would I Buy It? Maybe to pair with pepper steak or to cook with.
Cellaring Potential: Drink now, cellar for a couple years
Score: 82/100
Price: $11.50
Availability: VQA shops, private retailers


Gehringer Brothers 2006 Cuvée Noir (Oliver)
Appearance: Dark ruby hue
Aromas: Baked black cherry, chocolate, smoked meat, black pepper
Flavours: Dark berry, chocolate, pepper spice, alcohol
Body and Finish: Medium body, soft mid palate, slightly hot alcoholic finish
Overall Impression: A decent everyday wine that will please those who like a bit of alcohol bite in their reds.
Would I Buy It? Yes, for group gatherings
Cellaring Potential: Drink now, cellar up to two years
Score: 83/100
Price: $13.10
Availability: BC LDB, VQA shops, private retailers

Other options to consider:

Arrowleaf Red Feather $14
Bounty Cellar Semillon $14.90
Calona Artist Series Pinot Noir $14
CedarCreek Classic Pinot Blanc $14.95
Gehringer Brothers Ehrenfelser Dry $14
Gray Monk Latitude 50 Rose $14
Inniskillin Reserve Pinot Blanc $14
Jackson Triggs PR Dry Riesling $14
Okanagan Vineyards Cab/Merlot $12
Peller Estate HSER Pinot Gris $12.50
Ganton Larsen Prospect Winery Sauvignon Blanc $14.99
Red Rooster Bantam $13.90
St. Hubertus Pinot Blanc $14
Sumac Ridge Rose $13
Thornhaven Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay $14.90