The Wine Press Northwest Platinum Wine Awards have historically done well for the wines of Gehringer Brothers just south of Oliver. In fact, over the last 13 years, the winery has taken home a grand total of 43 Platinum medals from the competition. After this years’ competition, the Wine Press Northwest judges bestowed the title “King of Platinum” on the winery. It’s no surprise why; they took home 11 Platinum medals and 3 Double Golds. That’s one award for each wine they entered. This competition is a little different from the others in that any wine entered has to have been awarded a Gold medal in a previous competition to be eligible.
The 2012 Desert Sun was awarded a Double Platinum. This blend of Auxerrois, Chardonnay and Riesling is pale honey gold in the glass with notes of beeswax, honey and citrus on the nose. It’s delightfully round on the palate with flavours of peach, melon and lemon with a burst of acidity on the finish.
The 2012 Private Reserve Riesling has yet again proven that it is a solid performer in the Gehringer line-up with another Platinum medal. The nose is varietally true; clean, crisp and loaded with Granny Smith apple, honey and beeswax. More beeswax, lemon and petroleum greets you on the palate and the finish is clean and crisp.
The 2012 Ehrenfelser has received its’ third Platinum award in three years. This wine is medium gold in the glass with a nose redolent of lychee and orange blossom. This wine is silky and rich on the palate with tones of marmalade, ripening peach, pomelo and ripe pears.
Gehringer Brothers Winery has just launched a new web site. Find out more at www.gehringerwines.ca. Make sure you stop in during your next trip down the valley.
~ Courtney Fossett