The Best Okanagan Wines Under $25

BC VQA by the numbers:

• 100% British Columbia grapes
• 95% of grapes must come from specific region mentioned on the label
• 85% of grapes must come from the vintage stated on the label
• 85% of grapes must be the stated varietal

winebc.com, bcvqa.ca

Yes, I could list Gray Monk Riesling, Quails’ Gate Rosé, Sperling Market White or any of Haywire’s bargain boxed wines, but I must finish with Tinhorn Creek’s Cab Franc. This beauty has an herbaceous nose, spice and chocolate on the nose and palate. It’s great with BBQ, burgers, ribs and red-sauce pastas ($21.99).

You can’t forget Stoneboat Vineyards’ Chorus. It won a Lieutenant Governor’s Award and beat all the big boys. This is a serious field blend that includes almost every varietal Stoneboat grows: Pinot Blanc, Müller-Thurgau, Schoneburger, Kerner, Pinot Gris and Viognier. It has big fruit flavours, grapefruit and a hint of honey. It’s an amazing $18.

Here’s a threefer. Honest John’s Red is a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab and Syrah ($19.99). Honest John’s White is mainly Riesling, with four other friendly whites ($16.99). And a big PS – Road 13 just dropped the price of their Pinot Noir from $24 to $18.

Gehringer Brothers | 2012 Private Reserve Pinot Gris

You can’t do a wine list like this without either starting or finishing with Gehringer Brothers. All of their whites are under $15 and the reds are just some pocket change more.

How about the 2012 private Reserve Pinot Gris ($14.99)? It’s one of those wines that goes great with salads and seafood, or just with friends.