British Columbia

British Columbia is a wine region in Canada.

Merlot leads the plantings, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, plus one more alongside it.

Vines root into clay and sand.

The climate is maritime/oceanic, running continental.

The vineyards themselves read as lakeside, mountains and valley floor.

Red wine, white wine and rosé wine, plus two more is what the region is known for, and in the glass it shows crisp and refreshing.

Quality is codified by the VQA (Vintners’ Quality Alliance), which is worth reading off the label.

The named areas within are Okanagan Valley, Fraser Valley, Similkameen Valley, Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands.

Producers worth knowing include Black Hills Estate Winery, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, Laughing Stock Vineyards and Mission Hill Family Estate.

Pour them alongside grilled meats, seafood, pasta dishes and cheese platters.

decant before pouring.

Keeps for 5 to 15 years.

In the glass.

White: Crisp and refreshing.

Grapes planted here.

Classifications.

• VQA (Vintners' Quality Alliance)

Producers worth knowing.

Bottles to look for.

• 50th Parallel Estate Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, Canada
• Black Hills Estate Winery Nota Bene, British Columbia, Canada
• Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, Canada
• Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Malbec, Okanagan Valley, Canada
• Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Meritage, Okanagan Valley, Canada
• Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Merlot, Okanagan Valley, Canada
• Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, Canada
• Diabolica Wines Red Wine, Okanagan Valley, Canada

At the table.

• Grilled meats
• Seafood
• Pasta dishes
• Cheese platters
• Desserts

Serving and cellaring.

• decant before pouring.
• Keeps for 5 to 15 years.

Inside the region.

Nearby regions.

British Columbia: common questions

More from here: every wine region in Canada.