Canada · RegionA Sommo region

Okanagan Valley

Okanagan Valley wine guide: the wine region in Canada, its Merlot, the red wine and dry white wine it makes, and what to pour it with.

Country
Canada
Climate
Continental
Signature grape
Merlot
Styles
red · dry white · sweet white
4
Signature grapes
6
Sub-regions
8
Bottles to find

Okanagan Valley is a wine region of British Columbia, Canada.

The signature grape is Merlot, backed by Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Vines root into clay and sand.

The climate is continental.

The vineyards themselves read as lakeside and valley floor.

Red wine, dry white wine and sweet white wine, plus one more is what the region is known for, and in the glass it shows full-bodied with rich fruit flavors, crisp and refreshing, vibrant bubbles and a fresh and zesty palate, plus one more.

The named areas within are Black Sage - Osoyoos, Golden Mile Bench, Kelowna, Naramata Bench and Okanagan Falls, plus one more.

Pour them alongside grilled meats, roasted vegetables, seafood and cheese platters.

Serve at 15 to 18°C.

Keeps for 5 to 10 years.

Soil
ClaySand
Climate
Continental
Terrain
LakesideValley floor
Styles
reddry whitesweet whitesparkling

In the glass.

Red: Full-bodied with rich fruit flavors.

Dry white: Crisp and refreshing.

Sparkling: Vibrant bubbles and a fresh, Zesty palate.

Sweet white: Lush and rich.

Grapes planted here.

Bottles to look for.

  • 50th Parallel Estate Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, 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
  • Checkmate Artisanal Winery Fool's Mate Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, Canada
  • Diabolica Wines Red Wine, Okanagan Valley, Canada

At the table.

  • Grilled meats
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Seafood
  • Cheese platters
  • Spicy dishes

Serving and cellaring.

  • Serve at 15 to 18°C.
  • Keeps for 5 to 10 years.

Inside the region.

Nearby regions.

Okanagan Valley: common questions

01.
What grapes is Okanagan Valley known for?
+
Merlot is the signature grape of Okanagan Valley. Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are also planted here.
02.
What kind of wine does Okanagan Valley make?
+
Okanagan Valley produces red wine, dry white wine, sweet white wine and sparkling wine.
03.
Where is Okanagan Valley?
+
Okanagan Valley is a wine region in Canada.
04.
What food goes with Okanagan Valley wine?
+
Try grilled meats, roasted vegetables, seafood, cheese platters and spicy dishes.
05.
How long does Okanagan Valley wine age?
+
Keeps for 5 to 10 years, though it varies by producer and vintage.

More from here: every wine region in Canada, or the wider British Columbia guide.

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