Calliope Wines, Oliver

Photo: Contributed

For Canada’s 150th birthday this year, Castanet is featuring an Okanagan wine each week, celebrating the bottles of our Valley and the diversity of the Canadian wine industry, including suggested food pairings and Canadian music artist to listen to while enjoying a glass. For current availability, consult the winery.

Wine: Viognier, 2016

Winery: Calliope Wines, Oliver

Why drink it? Viognier, depending on the style, can be a great white wine choice for cool fall days before you get into bigger reds for winter. From the same family that brought you Burrowing Owl wines comes the Calliope label of mostly whites at great value. The viognier opens with aromas of apricot and white peaches, with some citrus elements to keep it lively. The “mouthfeel” is unexpectedly weighty and rich, with notes of caramelized stone fruit, vanilla, and a refreshing, mildly herbal and vivacious finish. It’s a good wine to have on hand for sipping on the first evening you turn the furnace on.

Price: $16

Pair with: The winery suggests “cilantro-spiked” fish tacos, ceviche, prosciutto wrapped melon, or a spicy pad thai. Sounds about right on all fronts. Perhaps even makes a good pairing with pumpkin or pecan pie at Thanksgiving.

Classic CanCon music pairing: One More Colour, Jane Sibbery

Have a wine you'd like to suggest? Contact us at [email protected], and we will put you in touch with our wine writer.