Day 4 – Unsanctioned Series Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Here we go…Day 4 and a wrap to the first weekend of the calendar!

Sauvignon Blanc is not a varietal we produce every year, but when we do, we are definitely aiming for a distinctive style.  Our winemaker Rob uses oak for quite of few of our other white wines, but the 2022 vintage is the first time he has used oak on Sauvignon Blanc. Known for its racy acidity, the use of neutral oak (older barrels that no longer impart much in the way of flavour or aroma) is a tool to build some texture in the wine, to add volume to the body and round out the mouthfeel. The acidity remains to keep the wine crisp and fresh, but there’s volume to add smoothness and persistence on the palate.

With its origins in the Loire Valley of France dating back to the 1500s, Sauvignon Blanc is now grown all over the world and produces a variety of styles of wine.  With characteristic flavours and aromas of lime, gooseberry, grapefruit, flint and smoke, the area and climate in which its grown will shift it along the spectrum ranging from tropical to savoury.

Today’s food pairing takes a bit of effort to pull off, but trust us…it’s worth it! Garlic shrimp and asparagus risotto: a great winter dish because of the warmth and richness of the risotto, but still a great pairing with the Sauvignon Blanc thanks to the garlic shrimp and the asparagus. We hope you like it.

Winemaking Notes

The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is made with grapes grown at a cooler site in the Okanagan Falls sub-GI. Hand-harvested at optimal ripeness to showcase the energy of Sauvignon Blanc, the grapes were lightly pressed and then the juice was fermented in a combination of stainless steel (50%) and neutral oak barrels (50%). After fermentation, the wine was aged 9 months in barrel, with batonnage (stirring of the lees) twice a month to build body and texture.

Tasting Notes
A tantalizing treat for the senses! Tropical aromas of gooseberry and passionfruit are underpinned by a flinty minerality and notes of green grass. A bright entry on the palate showcases gooseberry and sweet pink grapefruit. Crisp acidity shines from the entry through the long finish. Crisp and dry on the palate, this wine has a roundness to the texture that softens the acidity you’d expect in a Sauvignon Blanc.

Food Pairings
When in doubt, go green. Sauvignon Blanc makes a wonderful choice with herb-driven sauces over chicken, tofu, or fish dishes. Match with feta or chèvre, or pair with herb-driven Asian flavors such as Thai or Vietnamese cuisine.

Wine Specs

Vintage 2022
Appellation Okanagan Valley VQA
Vineyards Rolling Hills Vineyard – Okanagan Falls
Acid 6.9 g/L
pH 3.25
Residual Sugar 3.5 g/L
Alcohol % 11.2
Production: 112 cases