Jim Faulkner, winemaker at Mt. Boucherie Family Estate Winery was busy the day I visited with bottling, labelling and preparing for the Okanagan Wine Festival. Visitors are tasting new releases and snapping photos from the outdoor deck. But the feeling when you enter Mt. Boucherie, and sit on the patio overlooking Okanagan Lake, is one of peace and tranquillity.
It is time to celebrate the release of some fabulous new wines, and Jim says the 2012 vintage is one of the best he’s experienced.
“We’re releasing our 2012 Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Ehrenfelser,” he says. “The Pinot Gris is our largest seller, our most popular wine, and we can’t keep up with the demand. We’ve bottled 2,500 cases this year, up from 2,000 last year and we ran short.”
The 2012 Pinot Gris is a refreshing, fruit-forward white with aromas and flavours of pear, golden delicious apple and a hint of honey, lime and starfruit. It pairs perfectly with tuna tartare, ceviche, poultry or light pasta dishes. The perennially popular Gewürztraminer is well balanced and dry, with notes of lychee, rose petals and a hint of spice. Enjoy it with oysters Parmesan or a truffle omelette. The 2012 Ehrenfelser is described as a great summer sipper! It offers intense aromas and flavours of oranges, lemon and lime. Pair it with grilled jerk chicken or red Thai curry.
The new reds are also making their debut, including a first-ever Mt. Boucherie Family Reserve 2012 Gamay Noir with aromas of mocha, cherry pie and vanilla. It is structured on the palate with elements of red currant, black raspberries and a hint of ground black pepper. The Gamay Noir is a great compliment to roast duck, toasted quinoa and beet salad or grilled spicy sausages.
Mt. Boucherie’s new 2011 Pinot Noir is medium bodied with aromas of berries and cherry. It works ideally with grilled tuna, duck dishes or mushroom risotto. And finally, be sure to try the 2011 Gamay Noir, a lighter-bodied red with flavours of cranberry and strawberry. Pair it with with veggies and quinoa, pizza or tapas.
Mt. Boucherie’s owners have been growing grapes in the Okanagan since 1968, and opened the current winery in 2000. And as Jim Faulkner says, “From vineyard to bottle, we do it all.”
~ Deanna Rainey