The BC VQA Wine Information Centre in Penticton just celebrated its 16th anniversary as the first VQA store in British Columbia. VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wines receive this designation through testing by regulating bodies to guarantee high quality and authenticity of origin. BC VQA wines are special because they can be made from small agricultural yields to increase quality, have to meet specific sugar levels at harvest, and have regulated additives and packaging and closures. You’re assured when you visit the Wine Centre that its over 700 BC VQA wines are the best available.
In addition to the quality BC VQA wines, the Wine Centre also carries a special selection of local food products including cheese from Poplar Grove, Upper Bench and Jerseyland Organics, Applessence non-alcoholic fruit drinks, Okanagan Wineland Dressings, Gone Crackers, SeaChange Savouries, Taste of the Okanagan and Vista d’Oro condiments. Other gift ideas include books for wine lovers and wine accessories ranging from corkscrews to pouring spouts and a selection of wine racks, food serving items and posters. New products are added frequently.
The knowledgeable Wine Centre staff offer special services including gift wrapping, gift basket creation and ways to help pack your wines to take home on the plane. You can choose specially designed shipping boxes to take them home on the plane as checked luggage. Or, if you only take one or two bottles, the Centre has the protective “wine skins” so you can put the wine into your suitcase.
During the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival, April 30th—May 9th, Wine Centre staff will be pouring award-winning wines, including the best of varietals which will be announced April 30.
~ Dona Sturmanis