Fall has officially arrived and with that, the unofficial start of the wine harvest. If you have been out to any of the wineries lately, you may have noticed the enormous amount of grapes that are hanging off the vines. In talking to a few growers and winemakers, they have mentioned that this harvest has turned around 180° and should be very good in terms of the quality although the quantity will be diminished. The past few weeks of cooler morning temperature and very warm afternoons has been quite beneficial to the grapes, allowing them to fully ripen.

Next weekend is the Okanagan Valley’s premier wine event, the 28th Annual Fall Wine Festival. This 10 day celebration of wine is the highlight of the Okanagan wine season, showcasing around 160 events throughout the valley, focusing on wine tastings, winemaker dinners, educational seminars and art exhibits. It is consistently ranked in the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association.

The festival kicks off on October 2nd with the 24th Annual Peoples Choice Awards. Hosted by the Coast Capri Hotel, this is an opportunity for you, the consumer, to take part in a blind wine tasting, become a wine judge and vote for your favourite varietal. This is a laid back, fun affair that draws over 35 different wineries from the valley and usually sells out quickly. Tickets are $50.00. Contact the Coast Capri at 860-6060 or email at k.dorcas@coastcaprihotel.com.

Be sure to set aside time on October 3rd and 4th for the WestJet Wine Tasting at the Laurel Packinghouse. This is an excellent opportunity to sample some of the superb wines that are being produced right here in our own back yard and expand your wine knowledge, all under one roof. Tickets are $55 and it is highly recommended you buy your ticket quickly before they are all sold out.

On Sunday October 5th, make it a point to travel to Oliver for one of my favourite events, the 12th Annual Festival of the Grape. Much more than just a wine tasting, this is a family-orientated event featuring the wine tasting, face painting, live entertainment, food booths, trade show, games and a Grape Stomp. A celebration of the harvest with a family focus, it is held at the Oliver Community Park alongside the Okanagan River, from noon to sundown. There will be over 34 wineries and 17 food vendors for you to check out. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $19 or $22 at the gate and it is recommended that you purchase your tickets in advance to avoid the VERY long line ups at the gate. Tickets can be ordered, or information can be had by calling the Oliver and District Chamber of Commerce office at 250-498-6321, or emailing them at tourism@oliverchamber.bc.ca. Check out the website at www.festivalofthegrape.ca.

The festival wraps up on October 10th and 11th with the American Express-sponsored Grand Finale Consumer Tasting at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Friday and Saturday night. This is the premier event of the Fall Wine Festival where over 60 wineries come out, pouring over 240 wines. Many of these wineries are from the south Okanagan and sometimes will not make it to the Kelowna area to showcase their product. Be there on Saturday night when the awards are announced for the winning wines from the 2008 Okanagan Fall Judging Competition. A fantastic event, this is the ultimate wine tour. Tickets are $50 and are available through Ticketmaster at 250-860-1470 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. This event is always a sell out so buy your tickets early!!!

There are numerous other events happening during the ten day festival at individual wineries and restaurants so check them out in the Wine Festival guide, available at selected retail stores or online at www.owfs.com.

Weekend Wine Picks:

Thanksgiving is just around the corner (seemed like summer just started yesterday) and that means...TURKEY!! However, not everyone will be enjoying turkey so here is a broad selection of wines, for turkey lovers and others.

The 2006 CedarCreek Merlot Cabernet ($23.90) is a classic right bank Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Aged in French oak for 18 months, this is a blockbuster wine showing an opaque blood red colour, rich aromas of blackberries, black plum, cherry and cassis with hints of figs, licorice, menthol and roasted red pepper. The texture on the palate is mouth filling with crisp acidity, firm tannins and flavours of spicy black fruit. Still quite young, this wine needs some food to tame it or another six months in the bottle for everything to settle down.

This has to be winemaker Dave Carson’s finest effort to date. The 2006 SYL Pinot Noir ($24.90) is bursting with hedonistic black fruit showcasing black cherries, black raspberries, sweet licorice, toast and creamy vanilla. Soft acidity and firm tannins marks this as a wine that has the potential to cellar for another 5 years but oh so delicious to enjoy now. A classic Burgundy styled wine.

Sourced from the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in BC (planted in 1968) and possible the oldest vinifera vines in BC, the 2007 Road 13 Chenin Blanc ($23.90 PWS ) is a spectacular wine displaying buckets of ripe tropical fruit and honeysuckle with a lush, unctuous texture on the palate. The finish lingers with crisp, vibrant acidity. Could be the best from BC!!

Awarded “Best of Category” at the 2007 All Canadian Wine Championships, the 2006 Gehringer Brothers Sauvignon Blanc ($18.90) shows intense varietal characteristics of rich passion fruit, grapefruit, kiwi, melon, white peach along with a hint of fresh cut green grass. The rich palate from the extended skin contact prior to fermentation gives the wine a mouth coating texture with fresh acidity on the long finish. A classic food pairing with this would be a goat cheese stuffed chicken breast with a mushroom sauce, steamed shellfish and grilled vegetables or risottos.

A Gold Medal winner at the 2007 Northwest Wine Summit and an extremely hard-to-find wine, the 2006 La Frenz Alexandria ($22.90) is loaded with brilliant summer fruit aromas and flavours of honeyed peach, apricot, nectarine and mango with clover honey, and orange blossom. The palate is rich and creamy with lots of lush and juicy tropical and orchard fruit flavours, followed by crisp acidity for balance. Outstanding with Thai or Indian fare.

In Vino Veritas