It’s spring in the Okanagan Valley, which is bursting with promise.
The days are already warm and sunny, with temperatures nudging the mid to high 20s. Bud break is in full swing and bloom is just around the corner.
It’s also time for the 21st annual Okanagan Spring Wine Festival (April 30 – May 10), which this year features the largest number of wineries (120 participating to date).
Looking back over two decades, it’s amazing to see how the spring festival has evolved into such a valley-long celebration, with dinners, barbecues, cooking classes, brunches, barrel blending and more.
I wonder how much people remember that the genesis for a spring festival actually came about when a small number of wineries were making noises that the timing of the fall wine festival was challenging as it coincided with harvest.
At the time there was even considerable pressure to move the now highly successful fall wine festival completely.
Even if the inaugural spring wine festival was actually somewhat of an experiment, it proved extremely popular and, of course, became the forerunner to summer and winter wine festivals that have turned the Okanagan into “wine festival central.”
One of the major components of the spring festival is the Best of Varietal Wine Awards, which I was lucky to help judge on Thursday.
While these awards may not enjoy quite the same profile as the fall B.C. Wine Awards competition, they are growing in popularity, and keenly contested by the industry. Witness the record number of 479 entries this year, which marks an increase of 30 per cent over previous years.
These Best of Varietal awards started back in 1994. Then they were known as “The Winemakers Awards” and included only three red and three white wine categories.
Last week’s competition (the results of which will be announced at a special Festival kickoff event on April 30) spanned 25 different categories.
The judging, carried out by sommeliers, educators, media and others, usually involves about 30 entries per category. The judges evaluate and whittle down the group to half a dozen wines before deciding the overall winner.
As of now I can’t tell you the results, which are embargoed until the announcement (and besides, even the judges don’t know which wines we were tasting). What I can tell you is that lovers of Okanagan Syrah are in for a real treat as the 2012s are released.
Much of the reason for that spike in entries is probably due to the fact that wineries have clued in to the value of the bragging rights the awards convey. Being able to boast that your wine is the best of its category carries considerable weight and prestige. Stay tuned for the highlights of the results. I’m told there are some interesting winners and some “surprises.”
For more info about the Spring Wine Festival check out thewinefestivals.com.
Belly’s Budget Best
Liquidity Pinot Gris 2014 (Okanagan Falls)
If I were looking for a benchmark B.C. Pinot Gris (from an insanely wide range of styles) this would surely be one. I tasted it at last week’s Okanagan Falls spring release event.
Up-front tropical and citrus with a juicy palate defined by lively acidity, apple and grapefruit with a clean end. Think lighter seafood dishes, pork tenderloin or goat cheese. Delicious! ($20, 91 points).
Tim Pawsey writes about wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. Contact: [email protected].
