It’s the first week of spring and an ideal time to release our first whites from the 2015 vintage – 7 Blanc our aromatic white blend, and a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. Crafted by our winemaker Mary McDermott, this is the second season of delightful white wines she has made for us at Township 7. Both wines are also fantastic with Easter dinner, try 7 Blanc with a roasted ham and pineapple, or Sauvignon Blanc with a citrus glazed turkey.
First, a comment by Mary about the 2015 vintage… The 2015 season in the Okanagan Valley can be summed up in one word — fantastic!
An early spring start provided the necessities for superior vine growth. July and August were very sunny and hot leading to good sugar development within the grapes and much earlier ripening than normal. We began our earliest harvest on record, on August 22, and by the end of September completed the bulk of our grape picking. September was similarly, warm and sunny with slightly cooler nights allowing for continued phenolic ripening. A harvest for the record books, was finished at our earliest date ever, October 8.
The 2015 Sauvignon Blanc – we are simply wild for this “wild white”, that originates from Bordeaux.
Harvested on September 8 and 15 from two adjacent vineyards in north Oliver, Blue Terrace and Rock Pocket, this is a grape with a zesty attitude. This vintage exhibits energizing aromas of passion fruit, gooseberry and fresh squeezed citrus. A roundness on the palate shows summer fruit flavours of stone fruit and succulent citrus, finishing with a refreshing crispness. A clean, invigorating wine that is fantastic on its own or enjoyed with summer salads, creamy chèvre or fresh fish — we like Pacific Halibut with Grapefruit Beurre Blanc.
The 2015 7 Blanc – An aromatic blend that is the ice cream sundae of wine, each varietal is delightful on its own, but sublime when combined.
Made from Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Riesling from our Naramata estate vineyard, Fool’s Gold and Hidden Terrace Vineyards in Oliver and Sperling Vineyard in Kelowna. This is our first vintage of 7 Blanc with grapes from Sperling Vineyard in Kelowna and Fool’s Gold in Oliver, they provide the additional complexity of their northern and southern climes bringing both zesty brightness and lush citrusy elements. The wine is a bouquet of lychee, ginger, and Bartlett pear with underlying floral notes bursting from the glass. The palate is slightly off-dry with ripe stone fruit and spice, finishing with a lovely fresh citrus crispness to balance. As delightful as a summer day by Okanagan Lake, we recommend pairing with spicy Caribbean food or Indian dishes, or try serving with a light dessert such as a refreshing peach sorbet or pear tart.
