Amarone Golf Connection

Naramata Rolls Out New Wines With Aftergolw, A Rite of Spring

Written by James Ellsworth Tuesday, 20 April 2010 22:20

 The Naramata Bench Wineries Association introduced its new wines in Vancouver and Victoria in April, anticipating the upcoming Okanagan Spring Wine Festival.

The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival gets under way April 30-May 9, 2010 with its signature Roll Out The Barrels! However the Naramata Bench Wineries Association, a collection of fifteen wineries on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake above Penticton, jumped the gun a tad by having two new release events called "Afterglow" in Vancouver and Victoria, April 12-14.

There are several plateaus or benches around the village of Naramata (2,000), perfect for fruit and viniculture. It is the cul-de-sac of the Okanagan wine growing community; most wineries being on the western side of the lake on the north-south run from Kelowna to Osoyoos. Although off the beaten track, Naramata must not be forgotten, as the release offerings proved. The summer afternoon sun reflecting off the lake means the fruit has long hot days and cool nights to ripen.

Called "one of Canada's best small festivals" , the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival offers over a hundred events showcasing new wine tastings and wonderful culinary pairings. "Afterglow" just wanted to remind people not to forget to wander to the Naramata Bench to savour its particular wines of the Okanagan, when the Naramata wineries will offer its tastings, tours and weekend specials.

Last week's afternoon trade tastings were a testament to the fine quality of wines produced for this year's offerings. For instance, D'Angleo Estate Winery, one of the participating wineries for the Okanagan's Second Annual Red Blend auction, can boast the Bronze Medal winner at the 2009 Canadian Wine Awards for its Pinot Noir 2006 VQA. Aged for 18 months in French and Hungarian oak, it displays a garnet colour, aromas of raspberry and black pepper, and a taste of black cherry and spice.

The rich fruit from the Naramata is conducive to Burgundian and Bordeaux -style wines. For example, Nichol Vineyard and Estate Winery's 2006 Syrah was aged in French oak for 16 months, shows a dark red Spartan cloak of colour with earthy aromas and will age well. Its Syrahs and Pinot Noirs have been winning awards constantly at the All Canadian Wine Awards and Northwest Wine Summit.

For those who like a bit of intrigue with their wine research, there are the winery names of the Naramata Bench. Visitors during the Spring Wine Festival must ask about vineyard or wines names, such as Blind Trust and Portfolio at Laughing Stock. How did investment bankers became one of BC's top winemakers in 2006 and adorn their bottles with stock market ticker tape? Or visit Therapy Vineyards to ask about a Freudian Sip or SuperEgo as well as try its gold award-winning 2008 Pinot Gris from last year's Okanagan Spring Wine Festival and All Canadian Wine Championship. And don't let the name Black Widow Winery keep you away from that vineyard. Its 2007 Hourglass blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is worth a taste and an explanation.