The history of the wine shop at Recline Ridge Vineyards and Winery is well-known. A Canadian-made log home headed for Japan somehow didn’t get there, so the building was acquired and erected at the current site of Recline Ridge. To see it in person, though, is to appreciate some of the fine Asian-style details that are incorporated into the wine shop. The result is a place that is both inviting and aesthetically pleasant.
Grape varietals are plentiful in this distinct climatic area. Growers face a shorter growing season so they depend upon early ripening varietals. Colder winters make it ideal for cool climate, German-style grapes like Siegerrebe, Ortega and Optima, as well as Madeleine Angevine and Madeleine Sylvanner. Marechal Foch also grows very well in the area.
Reintroduced this year is the 2011 Kerner, a complex wine with a Riesling edge. This wine features fruity flavours with aromas of floral, marzipan, green apples and pears. It is ideal for pasta with cream sauce or clam sauce, spicy food, pork tenderloin and lamb.
The 2011 Bacchus is a splendid wine with harmonious tartness and hints of vanilla, pear and spices. And the 2008 Shuswap Serenade is a fruity, crisp and refreshing blend of Madeleine Angevine and Madeleine Sylvanner grapes. It pairs wonderfully with seafood, poultry, many cheeses and fruits.
The Marechal Foch is a beautifully balanced favourite. Bursting with raspberry, plum, cherry and black pepper, this wine offers earthy aromas and a smoky note on the finish. Try it with wild game meats, beef, lamb, cheese and pastas. Finally, if you’re looking for a fruity, spicy red that is rich in tannin, try Recline Ridge’s unique Hawk’s Haven. A trip to Recline Ridge allows you to sample these and other sumptuous Shuswap wines.
~ Deanna Rainey