If this hot and dry month sees you spending more time outdoors, here’s a tasty bunch of suggestions to partner with your picnics or barbecues. All are from Encore Vineyards in the Okanagan under the brand Evolve Cellars.
My favourite white is the Evolve Pinot Blanc ($15.99), which is actually a mutation of Pinot Gris discovered in the 19th century. Harry McWatters, the owner of Encore is a pioneer in B.C. for showcasing Pinot Blanc as a varietal or in blends such as sparkling wines.
McWatters’ Pinot Blanc is a delicious example, with a lemon meringue and pear character with mouth-watering crispness, a full body, and a lemon grass finish.
Perfect for the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, just sipping or accompanying seafood.
Another juicy white is the Evolve 2016 Pinot Gris ($15.99). It has more acid than the Pinot Blanc and displays a peach, ginger, and grapefruit personality with an off-dry finish. Crab cocktail anyone?
To add a touch of sparkle to the summer, reach for the Evolve Pink Effervescence ($19.99). Produced from Pinot Blanc and Merlot, it recently won a Bronze Medal in the 2017 Canadian Wine Align Awards.
Pink Effervescence lives up to its name with a creamy mouthful of bubbles. I also liked its beautiful salmon colour, and its pink grapefruit and raspberry bouquet and taste – a great way to toast the summer of 2017.
The biggest trend seems to be rosé and Evolve has a fine and flavourful example: The 2016 Evolve Rosé ($16.99) with its salmon hues has a ripe apple and watermelon aroma plus flavours of strawberries, rosewater and cherries. Nothing makes me salivate more than enjoying a glass of chilled rosé in the summer sun. And rosés are extremely versatile – for sipping as well as being served with all kinds of appetizers and main dishes.
Now we switch colour to a deep dark red. My final recommendation is the Evolve 2014 Elevate Carménère ($30). With a bouquet and flavour like a Bordeaux, this red is smooth and ready to enjoy. There’s plenty of complexity with black cherries, toasted oak, cinnamon and a dusting of cocoa. Enjoy outdoors with barbecued ribeye or lamb.
Evolve Cellar wines are available at the Ironwood Save-On VQA store, select private stores, and at the winery in Summerland.
Eric Hanson is a life-long Richmond resident, retired teacher and wine educator.
