It's coy label may belie what seriousness is housed inside...
The Alibi is a 80/20 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon that has followed in big brother Nota Bene's iconic footsteps. Primary aromas of guava, nectarine and melon with floral accents and undertones of herbs, cut grass and minerals. The palate shows a different side, hints of caramel and toast, spice and citrus zest...very good intensity and a substantial, mouth-watering finish.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - June 25th, 2009

This is a very aromatic bright ruby-hued wine with maraschino cherries, vanilla, blackberry and cocoa with hints of hazelnuts. The palate has a lovely silky texture and layers of red fruit, cedar, cocoa and hints of spice. A very easy drinking Pinot Noir great for weekday dinners.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 3rd, 2009

A potpourri of cedar chips and dried flowers, sweet spice and vanilla supported by ripe black raspberry and cherries and a core of rich dark earth. The palate is fresh and very smooth, it is also quite plush and well balanced with a dry spiced finish.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - February 11th, 2010

I love the energetic qualities of Ehrenfelser and in icewine it sings.
Loads of bright pink grapefruit, honey, candied ginger, nectarine and honeysuckle throughout. Sweet and slick but zippy on the palate - it won't disappoint with its vibrancy and its snappy acidity.
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 16th, 2008

A trio of White Bear wines are being launched on Earth Day 2009. From the Artisan Wine Company these crisp quaffers are donating 15% of their sales in an honorable effort to support the habitat preservation of BC's Great Bear Rainforest for the Kermode Bear also known as "Spirit Bear".
The trio will include this Pinot Blanc, a Sauvignon Blanc and upcoming Riesling.
The aromas are of fresh orchard fruits, citrus zest, minerals and a sprig of spring blossoms. It's an easy drinking white, crisp, refreshing and light-bodied with mouth-watering acidity and lingering flavours of grapefruit on the finish.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - April 8th, 2009

This is a young and fresh Merlot from one of BC's newest producers.
It is also a very fragrant version with appealing aromas of sweet raspberry and cherry, a hint of menthol, a whiff of crushed floral and vanilla with warm chocolate at the core. The palate supplies lots of berry flavours, it is bright and juicy in the mouth and continues along with vanilla and sweet spice flavours - oak char and cocoa linger across the finish. The finish is long with fine tannins.
Very tasty.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - February 2nd, 2010

Pretty in all its pinky/salmony glory this Pinot Noir sparkling with a dosage of icewine will make you smile and ask for more...
Juicy summer berries and apricot aromas with candied pink grapefruit notes. It's off-dry, a result of the icewine dosage with snappy citrus and berry flavours, sweet yet tart and very refreshing - yummy!
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - April 3rd, 2009

Summerhill Pyramid Winery has released a new series of labels featuring the artwork of wildlife painter Robert Bateman. The Cipes Sparkling Rose is one of those new labels and it is made from certified organic Pinot Noir grapes. The wine has a pretty, rosy hue and fragrant aromas of mixed berries - raspberry, blackberry and strawberries in vanilla cream, violets with hints of toast. The palate is juicy and exuberant echoing its aromatics with berry, crisp citrus and toasty flavours. The finish is long and bright, calling out for spicy stir-frys or triple cream cheeses.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - February 3rd, 2010

The Mamma Mia Pinot Grigio is very different from the Cassini Cellars Pinot Gris which has a good dose of oak. This fragrant white shows plentiful pear and melon aromas, lemon grass and citrus peel. The palate is surprisingly off-dry with a slick texture and flavours of fruit cup, marzipan and mixed sweet herbs and has a slightly zesty finish.
A good pairing with spicy Thai dishes.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - July 8th, 2009

Expect vibrant aromas in this chic BC Chardy!
Loads of crisp citrus and minerals with a sprinkling of fine spice. Flavours of bright tropical fruits, sweet warm spice and a hint of oak lounge on a creamy texture. Snappy acidity balances the palate and makes the flavours pop, the finish is warm, spicy and lingering.
Well done!
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - August 6th, 2009

This new South Okanagan winery is off to a fantastic start.
Their Gewurztraminer is seductive, very Alsatian in style, lavishly perfumed with rose water, Turkish delight, honeysuckle, lychee fruit, cold cream and sweet spices with mineral undertones. Unquestionably elegant, the texture is supple and it's layered with flavours of tropical fruit, orange peel, clove, star anise and cinnamon. An impressive aromatic with restrained power and a bright finish to pair with your caramelized onion and smoked gruyere tart.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - July 8th, 2009

This is a toasty Pinot Gris, much different from the Cassini Cellars fruitier Mamma Mia Pinot Grigio.
Aromas of peach and pear, vanilla and citrus rolled up with plenty of praline and toasted oak notes. Oak dominates the palate along with with spice, almond oil and savoury undertones of mushroom. It's rounded and smooth, the finish is crisp with citrus zest and spice flavours lingering.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - July 22nd, 2009

Fresh, crisp aromas, citrus and minerals with a core of honey, creamy pear and apple. The palate is very bright, flavours of peach skin and melon with plenty of minerality. The acidity is bold but you can expect a creamy edge to it followed by a nice citrus-y finish.
Good value. Pair with seafood salads.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - September 25th, 2009

One of British Columbia's newest offerings, Clos Du Soleil, is an impressive effort between ex-Canadian Navy officer Spencer Massie, Lawrence and Sharon Herder (Similkameen Valley's Herder Winery) and with next vintage the consulting expertise of winemaker Ann Sperling of Malivoire in Niagara. The "white" is a Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of Meyer lemon and creamy meringue, melon with a sprinkle of spice, caramel and marzipan. It's elegant and fresh on the palate with ample citrus peel and hints of toast with spice lingering on the finish.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - July 8th, 2009

The Dunham Froese Pinot Blanc is always a solid choice for a fragrant white with a dry, crisp palate.
The 2008 vintage features aromas of wild clover honey and white peaches, sunwarmed pears and pretty citrus blossom notes. the palate is snappy and clean with a creamy vanilla finish.
A refreshing wine perfect for fresh salads and soft cheeses.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - January 20th, 2010

From Artisan Wine Co, the Fork in the Road wines represent a white and a red - both blends. This one is named "Oliver Block 212 White" and it is a blend of Chardonnay, Semillon, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Blanc.
It is an aromatic wine with layers of peach, apricot and tangerine, vanilla cream and a dusting of sweet spice. Mouth-watering acidity lifts the palate, flavours of stone fruit and citrus peel, vanillin oak and exotic spice. It is lengthy and zesty with spice flavours remaining long across the finish.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - March 10th, 2010

A bright, juicy Chardonnay with abundant creamy pear, stone fruit and pineapple in vanilla syrup, talc and orange blossom aromas. The plate is vibrant - sweet and spicy with plenty of orange water and exotic spice anchored with stone fruit and lingering citrus flavours.
A quaffable, fragrant patio wine...
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - January 27th, 2010

Another great value from the Ganton & Larsen project, this aromatic Pinot Blanc is oozing sweet pear and peach compote aromas, marmalade and citrus blossoms with just a pinch of ginger. Snappy and crisp, a sweet fruit forward palate and a zesty citrus finish.
Buy it by the case!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - January 13th, 2010

This is a fantastic find among BC Rieslings - a pristine version with aromas of crisp apples and apricot, fragrant citrus blossoms and lime peel. The palate is snappy with flavours that echo the aromas - orchard apples and apricots in honey and a mix of lime and pomelo citrus. A juicy wine, buzzing with vibrant acidity and just a kiss of sweetness to take the edge off...
Great value!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - January 13th, 2010

Inniskillin Okanagan's fearless winemaker Sandor Mayer's 'Discovery Series' wines are smaller quantity, less common (to BC) varieties, some of which may forge a path for future plantings in BC's wine country.
The Chenin Blanc has aromas of baked apples in butter and vanilla cream, vibrant citrus and honey blossoms. The palate is snappy with bold acidity - the flavours echo the aromas with apple pie and vanilla, mixed white fruit and citrus. The finish is lemony and quite warm.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - January 13th, 2010